Apium nodiflorum
Apiaceae
June to September
It is found everywhere except for parts of the North.
See the BSBI distribution map for Fool's-water-cress
It is found in shallow freshwater and its muddy surrounds,
e.g., streams, ditches and ponds.
Fool's-water-cress is a native, perennial herb, which can be
prostrate or erect.
The erect form can grow up to 1m.
The flowers are in umbels up to 3cm.
Individual flowers are small (0.5mm) with 5 white, similar-
sized petals.
The short flower stems (pedicels) have 5 lanceolate
bracteoles.
The umbel branches (peduncles) are of unequal lengths
and have no bracts.
Fruits are up to 2mm, ovoid and ridged.
Leaves are pinnate with 4 to 6 opposite leaflets.
Leaflets are up to 3cm, ovate to lanceolate, and are either
sharply or roundly toothed.
The stems are finely furrowed and root at the nodes.
The prostrate habit and the roundish leaves presumably
cause the confusion with Water-cress.
The flowers and fruits are completely different in the
2 plants.
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Fool's-water-cress, River Bride. Dorset
Fool's-water-cress - erect form, Lancaster canal
Prostrate form - at muddy edge of pond
Unequally branched umbels
Umbels with bracteoles
Furrowed stem, fruits
Leaves and leaflets at river edge
Leaflet with crenulated edge
Stems, rooting nodes, leaflets
Bundles of roots at nodes - shown in plants
disturbed by cattle at Littlebredy, Dorset
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