Apiaceae

Oenanthe pimpinelloides

Common Names: Water dropwort

Plant Form: Erect perennial rosette herb. Size: Up to 1 m tall. Stem: Erect, leafless until summer, solid, with long streaks. Leaves: Twice divided with wedge-shaped segments in rosette, becoming more narrow lance-shaped further up. Generally smooth edges. Flowers: Compound of white umbrella-shaped clusters 2-5 cm across. Fruit and Seeds: Cylindrical, about 3 mm long, strongly ribbed and sometimes spiny appearance at point. Habitat: Wetlands, damp pastures, roadsides. Distinguishing Features: Superficially similar to Hemlock (Conium maculatum) but much shorter. Impacts: Replaces pasture species, less palatable and possibly toxic.