Apium nodiflorum
| Apium nodiflorum | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Scientific classification | |
| Kingdom: | Plantae |
| (unranked): | Angiosperms |
| (unranked): | Eudicots |
| (unranked): | Asterids |
| Order: | Apiales |
| Family: | Apiaceae |
| Genus: | Apium |
| Species: | A. nodiflorum |
| Binomial name | |
| Apium nodiflorum | |
Apium nodiflorum, (synonym Helosciadium nodiflorum) commonly called Fool's-water-cress is a flowering plant found in ditches or streams and native to western Europe. It is a low-growing or prostrate perennial with pinnate leaves which have a vague resemblance to those of watercress. Apium nodiflorum has short-stalked umbels of very small white 5-petalled flowers which are opposite the leaves and grow from the side of the stem at the leaf axils. It blooms in July and August.[1][2]
It is not a poisonous plant, but it could be easily confused with the allegedly poisonous Lesser Water Parsnip – Berula erecta. It is common throughout England, Wales and Ireland but is much less so in Scotland.[3]
Helosciadium nodiflorum, closeup of umbel flowers.
References
- ↑ Fool's-water-cress Wild flowers of Ireland. Accessed July 2011 Apium nodiflorum Fool's-water-cress]
- ↑ Apium nodiflorum (Fool's-water-cress) Online Atlas of British and Irish Flora. Accessed July 2011
- ↑ Apium nodiflorum Peter Llewellyn Wild Flowers of the British Isles, Accessed 2011