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Water-parsnip

Berula erecta

Family: Apiaceae Genus: Berula Species: erecta

Synonyms: Berula erecta var. incisa, Berla monspeliensium, Berula angustifolia, Apium berula, Berula erecta f. dentata, Berula angustifolia subvar. gracile, Berula erecta var. macrodon, Sium orientale, Berula erecta f. incisum, Sium berula, Sium angustifolium var. polyphylla, Berula pusilla, Berula orientalis, Siella erecta, Sium novae-mexicae, Sium angustifolium, Selinum berula, Sium novae-mexicae var. fimbriatum, Berula erecta var. stenodon, Berula erecta f. serratifolia, Berula erecta f. repens, Berula erecta f. microphylla, Berula angustifolia var. serratifolia, Berula angustifolia var. gracile, Berula angustifolia var. dentata, Sium incisum, Carum sioides, Sium angustifolium var. decumbens, Sium ferula, Sium erectum, Apium sium, Berula incisa, Sium nodiflorum

Water-parsnip (en)
Berula erecta — flower
Berula erecta — flower

Botanical Description

Berula erecta is a perennial herbaceous aquatic to semi-aquatic plant in the carrot family (Apiaceae), typically growing 30 cm to 1 m tall from a creeping rhizome. The hollow, ridged, erect stem bears a distinctive pale ring at its base. Leaves are pinnately compound with 7–14 pairs of opposite, sessile leaflets that are oblong to lance-shaped with serrated or toothed margins; underwater leaves are more finely divided into thread-like lobes, while emergent leaves are flatter and broader. Numerous small white flowers are borne in compound umbels opposite the leaves. The crushed foliage emits a carrot- or parsnip-like scent. It inhabits shallow streams, ditches, marshes, fens, and wet meadows on poorly drained neutral to acidic soils, and has a wide native distribution spanning Europe, Asia, North America, North Africa, and Australia.

Native Region: Afghanistan, Albania, Arizona, Arkansas, Austria, Baleares, Baltic States, Belarus, Belgium, British Columbia, Bulgaria, California, Central European Rus, Corse, Czechoslovakia, Denmark, East European Russia, Egypt, Eritrea, Ethiopia, France, Germany, Great Britain, Greece, Guatemala, Hungary, Idaho, Illinois, Iowa, Iran, Iraq, Ireland, Italy, Kansas, Kazakhstan, Kenya, Kirgizstan, Krym, Lebanon-Syria, Mexico Central, Mexico Southeast, Mexico Southwest, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, Montana, Morocco, Nebraska, Nepal, Netherlands, Nevada, New Mexico, New York, North Caucasus, North Dakota, North European Russi, Northwest European R, Norway, Oklahoma, Ontario, Oregon, Pakistan, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Sardegna, Sicilia, South Dakota, South European Russi, Spain, Sudan, Sweden, Switzerland, Tadzhikistan, Tanzania, Texas, Transcaucasus, Turkey, Turkey-in-Europe, Turkmenistan, Uganda, Ukraine, Utah, Uzbekistan, Washington, West Himalaya, West Siberia, Wisconsin, Wyoming, Xinjiang, Yemen, Yugoslavia

Cultural & Historical Context

Traditional American Uses

Documented Native American uses include:

 

White Mountain Apache (Arizona): Leaves and blossoms were used for unspecified medicinal purposes, and the same plant parts were also consumed as food (Reagan, 1929).

 

Zuni (New Mexico): The plant was an ingredient of "schumaakwe cakes" and applied externally as a treatment for rheumatism (Stevenson, 1915). An infusion of the whole plant was used as an external wash for skin rashes, athlete's foot, and swelling (Camazine & Bye, 1980; Stevenson, 1915).

 

No broader European-American or pioneer herbal tradition of medicinal use is documented for this species, and the plant has been confused historically with toxic look-alikes in the Apiaceae family.

Chemistry & External Identifiers

Trefle ID
151659

Important Disclaimer

This information is for educational purposes only and is not intended to replace professional medical advice. Always consult a qualified healthcare provider before using any herbal remedy, especially if you are pregnant, nursing, or taking medications.

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