Water parsnip

Scientific name: Berula erecta (Huds.) Coville 

Family: Apiaceae

MORPHOLOGY

Growth habit and size: Perennial herbaceous plant ranging from 30 to 100 cm in height with secondary roots from rhizomes.

Stem: The stem is erect, branched, and hollow with longitudinal grooves.

Leaves: The leaves are compound and divided into smaller segments, with serrated margins. They are arranged alternately along the stem. The basal leaves may be larger than the upper ones.

Flowers: The flowers of Berula erecta are clustered in terminal or lateral umbels, consisting of numerous rays. Each umbel contains small white or greenish flowers with five petals. Blooms between May and August.

Fruits and seeds: It produces dry fruits in the form of schizocarps, each containing two flattened seeds inside.

DISTRIBUTION AND HABITAT

It usually grows throughout Italy along the margins of watercourses, in wet meadows, and in marshy areas from 0 to 1,500 m.

Photo: Under the free license of Saxifraga and Willem van Kruijsbergen, Ed Stikvoort, Hans Bol