Oenanthe pimpinelloides (L)
Corky~Fruited Water Dropwort
NOMENCLATURE
Oenanthe : see 0. crocota.
Dropwort : see 0. aquatica.
BSBI Picture Link To Oenanthe pimpinelloides (UK)
BOTANICAL DESCRIPTION
TYPE : glabrous, erect, branched perennial. Hs.
ROOTS : ovoid tubers, distant from base of stem.
STEM : solid, strongly grooved. HEIGHT : 100cm.
UMBELS : 2-5cm. diam, terminal, compound, 6-15 smooth stout rays
1-2 cm, thickening after flring. Peduncle > than rays. Terminal with long-pedicel late
male flrs & short pedunculate hermaphrodite flrs. Lateral male only. Partial umbels flat
topped in fruit, pedicels thickening after flowering, esp. near glabrous apex.
LEAVES : lower 2-pinnate, long-petiolate. Segments 5mm, lanceolate to ovate, cuneate at
base, deeply toothed or pinnatifid. Upper 1-2 pinnate, blade > as petiole. Lobes
10-30mm, linear, entire. Cotyledons contracted to a petiole.
BRACTS : 1-5, linear-lanceolate unequal. Bracteoles 12-20, linear
to linear-lanceolate = pedicels.
FLOWERS : white 3-4mm. Sepals acute, persistent, outer petals
radiating, unequal. Styles form a stylopodium. Fl. 6-7.
FRUIT : 3.5 mm. cylindrical, Cormmisure broad. Mericarps with
prominent ridges. Carpophore present. Vittae solitary. Styles
3mm, > than fruit, erect. Stigma a small knob. 2n=22
HABITAT : damp meadows, moist grassy places.
DISTRIBUTION : native, locally common from E. Devon, & N. Somerset
to Hampshire, very local elsewhere. S. of a line from Worcs.
to Essex. One locality in Cork. W.& S. Europe. S.W. Asia.
BSBI Distribution Map for Oenanthe pimpinelloides
EDIBLE USES
Roots esteemed as a food. Burnett, 'Medical Botany'
"They are replete with a bland farina 'and have flavour of a filbert.”
EXTERNAL LINKS FOR Oenanthe pimpinelloides
These links to trusted websites and institutions may provide in depth or additional information regards cultivation, chemistry, edibility, images etc. for the species. Links last updated Aug 2012.
Wikipedia (EU) Plants For a Future (UK)
Bio Images (UK) APHOTOFLORA (UK)
'Online Guide To Umbelliferae Of The British Isles' Compiled By J.M.Burton 2002