Hemlock Waterparsnip

Description

Sium suave (water parsnip, hemlock waterparsnip) is in the Apiaceae family. It is a perennial wildflower that is native to many areas of both Asia and North America.The common name water parsnip is due to its similarity to parsnip (Pastinaca sativa) and its wetland habitat. The common name hemlock waterparsnip is an alternate common name due to its similarity to spotted water hemlock (Cicuta maculata).The shape and size of the leaves depends on the environment in which S. suave grows. Basil rosette leaves form on moist ground at around 3.8 cm long, and in shallow water they grow in clusters of aquatic leaves. Once leaves are formed this flowering plant stands up to 3 meters tall with stems that are 5 cm in diameter.Water parsnip has light green and glabrous stems with longitudinal veins and few branches. Leaves along the stems are alternate and odd-pinnate. Water parsnip flowers are perfect (both male and female) and are self fertile. The pedicles are 3-5 mm long and the fruit is ovoid. The fruit is dry but does not split open when ripe. The flowers have umbellule inflorescence with 10-20 white flowers. These white flowers are small (~3.2 mm across) with 5 petals. The petals can sometimes be of unequal size and are somewhat heart shaped.