Seasonal Wild Flowers

Corky-fruited Water-dropwort

Oenanthe pimpinelloides

Apiaceae

June to August

It is mainly found in the Southwest, the South, the Southeast,

and East Anglia, and a few other widely scattered places.

See the BSBI distribution map for Corky-fruited Water-dropwort

Corky-fruited Water-dropwort grows in both damp and dry hay

meadows, pastures and by roads.

It is a native, tuberous perennial herb, growing up to 1m.

The flowers are in umbels up to 5cm and on rays up to 2cm.

Flowers are white or pink, 2mm, with the outer petals unequal.

Bracts and bracteoles present (see picture 4).

Fruits are cylindical, ribbed, and thickened at the top with

2 erect styles.

Lower leaves are 2-pinnate in spring, but wither by the time

of flowering.

Upper leaves are 3-pronged and lanceolate, persisting into

flowering.

The roots terminate in rounded tubers.

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Water meadow, Kingcombe, Dorset

Flowerhead, umbel

Unequal petals at edge of rays

Corky-fruited flowerhead

Close-up of corky fruits

Side view of styles on fruits

Lanceolate 'summer leaves'