Identifying features of oenanthe aquatica include the finely-divided leaves and the presence of umbels at the upper leaf nodes as well as at the stem tips.
Common name:
Fine-leaved water dropwort
Family:
Scientific name:
Oenanthe aquatica
Main flower color:
Range:
Ireland, Wales and England
Height:
Up to 100 cm
Habitat:
Margins of still and slow-moving water
Flowers:
Compound umbels of between four and ten rays, terminal and at the upper leaf nodes; attached by short stalks. Flowers are subtended by narrow, bristle-like bracteoles; there may also be one bract at the base of the umbel. Petals are of unequal sizes
Fruit:
Hairless, oval capsules topped by residual styles of about half the length
Leaves:
Pinnately divided three times into short, narrowly ovate segments, for stem leaves, or thread-like segments for submerged leaves. On shiny, ridged stems which are noticeably expanded towards the base, up to 4 cm thick
Season:
June to September
Rarity:
★★★★★
