Short Description
The cutleaf waterparsnip can grow up to 80 cm high.
The leaves are divided into three to 21 leaflets (pinnate). The leaflets are ovate and have an uneven, coarsely serrated edge. The leaves have a strong aromatic smell when crushed.
The upright stem is round. It has fine grooves.
The inflorescences (double umbels) are composed of several umbrella-like branches (umbels), which in turn consist of up to 20 white, very small flowers.
The plant forms brown, ovate and flattened schizocarps.
Features
Cutleaf waterparsnip
Berula erecta
slightly poisonous
ovate leaflets
strong aromatic scent (crushed leaves)
Similar species
Greater water-parsnip
Sium latifolium
Fine-leaved water-dropwort
Oenanthe aquatica
In the city
The cutleaf waterparsnip prefers wet soils or cold, clear and rather shallow waters. It often grows at the edge of ditches and streams.
Fun Facts
Submerged plants do not flower. They reproduce by runners.
The flowering period is from July to September.
It lives for several years and generally flowers and fruits annually (perennial plant).
The flowers are pollinated by insects.
The seeds are spread by water.
- Endangerment level Germany: not endangered
- Usage:
In the past, the plant was used externally against rheumatism.
It is native to Europe.
The roots and fruits are slightly poisonous. Symptoms of poisoning include vomiting, diarrhoea and muscle paralysis.
Sources
Habitus, Stan Shebs, CC BY-SA 3.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Berula_erecta_1.jpg
Habitus, Stefan.lefnaer, CC BY-SA 4.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Berula_erecta_sl2.jpg
Habitus, Karelj, PD, https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Berula_erecta_prg_1.jpg
Kammer, P. M. (2016) Pflanzen einfach bestimmen. Schritt für Schritt einheimische Arten kennenlernen, Bern: Haupt Verlag.
Spohn, M., Golte-Bechtle, M. & Spohn, R. (2015) Was blüht denn da? Stuttgart: Franckh Kosmos Verlag.
Page „Schmalblättriger Merk“. : Wikipedia, The Free Encyclopedia. Date of last revision: 09.05.2018, 20:06 UTC. URL: https://de.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Schmalbl%C3%A4ttriger_Merk&oldid=177287847 (Accessed: 15.05.2018).