posted 4 years ago
If the last picture shows a detail of the "thing" growing out of the healthy plant, I would say it is a stem that wanted to flower last year but was killed by frost.
You can use the parsley as long as it is green although it might taste a bit bitter. Over the next months it will probably get yellow leaves and die off.
The root is tasty in stews or soups when cooked.
Regarding the other plant that went to seed: Hopefully you will have tiny plants popping up around the mother plant. You can transplant them when they are young. Much easier than trying to sow them as they are picky regarding soil/location.
I am only one, but still I am one. I cannot do everything, but still I can do something; and because I cannot do everything, I will not refuse to do something that I can do. (E.E.Hale)