Water Dropwort, Water parsely
Oenanthe sarmentosa
Family: Apiaceae or Umbelliferae
What it is like
Oenanthe sarmentosa is a PERENNIAL growing to 1 m (3ft 3in). It is in flower from June to August. The species is hermaphrodite (has both male and female organs) and is pollinated by Insects. The plant is self-fertile. Suitable for: light (sandy), medium (loamy) and heavy (clay) soils. Suitable pH: mildly acid, neutral and basic (mildly alkaline) soils. It cannot grow in the shade. It prefers moist or wet soil.
Height (m): 1
Where it is found
Low wet places.
Western N. America - British Columbia to California.
Conservation Status:
Countries/locations it is found in
How it is used
Food
Rating: 3
Root - cooked. A sweet farinaceous flesh, the root is highly esteemed in the areas where it is eaten. A cream-like taste when boiled with a slight parsley flavour. Some caution is advised, see the notes above on toxicity. Young stem - raw or cooked.
Root: includes bulbs, corms, tubers, rhizomes etc.
Stem: this often intergrades into leaves.
Medicine
Rating: 1
The roots are emetic and purgative. The roots have been crushed then swallowed by a pregnant woman in order to facilitate and speed up delivery.
Emetic: Induces vomiting.
Purgative: A drastic laxative causing a cleansing or watery evacuation of the bowels, usually with a griping pain.
Other
Rating:
Whistles can be made from the hollow stems.
Musical: Specific mention of plants used as musical instruments. Does not include the various woods that can be used for making musical instruments.
How it is grown
Requires a moist or wet fertile soil in a sunny position. Plants have a weak straggling growth habit.
Propagating it: Seed - sow spring in a cold frame. When they are large enough to handle, prick the seedlings out into individual pots and plant them out in the summer. Division in spring or autumn. Large divisions can be planted out direct into their permanent positions. We have found that it is better to pot up the smaller divisions and grow them on in light shade in a cold frame until they are well established before planting them out in late spring or early summer.
Best place to grow: Bog Garden;
Habit: Perennial
Hardiness: 0-0
Growth:
Soil: Light (sandy), medium, heavy (clay)
Shade: No shade
Moisture: Moist, wet
Things to keep in mind
Although no specific mention of toxicity has been seen for this species, it belongs to a genus that contains a number of very poisonous plants and so some caution is advised. It is said to contain the alleged 'psychotroph' myristicine.