Oenanthe sarmentosa var. californica

(S. Watson) J. M. Coult. & Rose

Apiaceae Edible: Roots 7,972 iNaturalist observations

iNaturalist· cc-by

iNaturalist· cc-by-nc

iNaturalist· cc-by

Summary

Oenanthe sarmentosa is a species of flowering plant in the family Apiaceae known by the common name water parsley. It is native to western North America from Alaska to California, where it grows in wet areas, such as streambanks. It is sometimes aquatic, growing in the water. The plant has been used in cultivation in wetlands, and the recent discovery of several colonies growing by a stream in Illinois demonstrates its capacity to become a noxious weed if it is introduced elsewhere. This is a perennial herb growing to a maximum height near 1.5 meters. The leaves have blades up to 30 centimeters long borne on petioles up to 35 centimeters in length. The parsley-like leaf blade is divided into serrated, lobed leaflets. The inflorescence is a compound umbel of many flowers with bright white to red-tinged petals.

Description

A warm temperate to tropical herbaceous plant in the carrot family (Apiaceae), distributed across warm temperate and tropical regions of North America, Southeast Asia, Malaysia, and the USA.

Edible Uses

The roots are eaten.

Traditional Uses

America, Malaysia, North America, SE Asia, USA,

This uses section is brief — help expand it

Distribution

It is a warm temperate to tropical plant.

Synonyms

Oenanthe californica S. Watson

References (1)

Burkill, I.H., 1966, A Dictionary of the Economic Products of the Malay Peninsula. Ministry of Agriculture and Cooperatives, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. Vol 2 (I-Z) p 1604 (As Oenanthe californica)