Water Parsnip, Hemlock waterparsnip
Sium suave

Family: Apiaceae or Umbelliferae

What it is like

Sium suave is a PERENNIAL growing to 1.2 m (4ft). See above for USDA hardiness. It is hardy to UK zone 4. It is in flower from July to August, and the seeds ripen from September to October. The species is hermaphrodite (has both male and female organs) and is pollinated by Insects. The plant is self-fertile. Suitable for: light (sandy) and medium (loamy) 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): 1.2

Where it is found

Meadows, wet thickets, muddy banks etc. Swamps and wet areas in Texas.

Northern N. America to N. Asia in China, Japan, Korea and Russia.

Conservation Status:

Countries/locations it is found in

How it is used

Food

Rating: 3

Root - raw or cooked. Crisp and delicious, it has an agreeable nutty flavour. The root is considered to be edible in the spring and the autumn but it so closely resembles some very poisonous plants that it should be considered unsafe to eat. The aromatic leaves are used as a relish. Some caution is advised - see the notes above on toxicity.

Root: includes bulbs, corms, tubers, rhizomes etc.

Condiment: the various plants that are used as flavourings, either as herbs, spices or condiments.

Medicine

Rating: 1

An infusion of the crushed root has been used as a poultice to bring relief from the pain of a broken limb. A decoction of the roots has been used by women in the treatment of epilepsy.

Analgesic: Relieves pain.

Epilepsy: Used in the treatment of Epilepsy - a disorder in which nerve cell activity in the brain is disturbed, causing seizures.

Other

Rating:

How it is grown

Prefers a light, rich, moisture retentive soil in full sun.

Propagating it: Seed - sow late winter to early spring in a cold frame. The seed can be slow to germinate. Prick out the seedlings into individual pots when they are large enough to handle and plant them out in the summer if they are large enough. Otherwise, grow them on in a cold frame for their first winter and plant them out in the following spring. Division in early spring just before new growth begins. Use the side roots. Larger divisions can be planted out direct into their permanent positions. We have found it best to pot up the smaller divisions and grow them on in a lightly shaded position in a cold frame, planting them out once they are well established in the summer.

Best place to grow: Bog Garden;

Habit: Perennial

Hardiness: 4-8

Growth:

Soil: Light (sandy), medium

Shade: No shade

Moisture: Moist, wet

Things to keep in mind

The stems and leaves of this plant are toxic and will kill livestock. There is no conclusive proof of this, based on native North American Indian usage it is likely that the roots and stems are edible, though the flowering tops might be poisonous.

Its other names

Local names

Synonyms

S. cicutaefolium. Schrank.