Oenanthe crocata
Apiaceae
May to August
It is found throughout the west of the country, the South
and the Southeast. It is patchy and scattered elsewhere.
See the BSBI distribution map for Hemlock Water-dropwort
It grows beside most types of fresh water and in shallow
water.
Hemlock Water-dropwort is a native, tuberous, perennial
herb, growing up to 1.5m and forming dense stands.
Umbels are up to 10cm across.
Flowers are 2mm across with unequal, white, notched
petals.
It is protandrous with the stamens appearing well
before the styles. There are 5 stamens with white
filaments and bright purple anthers.
Fruits are cylindrical, ridged and with 2 prominent
styles.
Leaves are up to 30cm and 3-4 pinnate.
Stems are hollow and ridged.
It spreads by seeds and the tuberous roots
which get washed down stream.
It is very poisonous to man and other animals.
In 2024 it is thought to have caused the
death of a dog which ate tubers on a beach in
Lyme Regis.The tubers had presumable been
dislodged into the river Lim and washed out to sea
and onto the beach.
Previous page: Hedgerow Crane's-bill
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Hemlock Water-dropwort stand
Flowering umbels
Umbels with stamens
Green ridged stem umbel rays
Close-up of flowers: notched petals
and stamens with purple anthers
Flowers showing 5 stamens and
light green ovules
Styles with small stigmas
Ridged, cylindrical fruits with 2 persistent
styles and bracteoles
3 pinnate leaves
Stout stems
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