Water parsnip, Petrol bush
Berula erecta

Family: Apiaceae

What it is like

A feather-like herb. It is a creeping plant. It grows 30 cm high. It keeps growing from year to year. The runners form roots in mud. The stems are hollow. The flowers are white and in small heads.

It is used in medicine. There is only one Berula species.

Where it is found

It is a temperate plant. It grows in moist to wet soils. It grows in ditches and near canals. It can grow in light shade or full sun. It is damaged by frost. In western China it grow up to 1,500 m above sea level.

Countries/locations it is found in

Afghanistan, Africa, Angola, Asia, Australia, Britain, Central Africa, Central Asia, Czech Republic, East Africa, Eswatini, Ethiopia, Europe, France, Germany, Himalayas, India, Italy, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Luxembourg, Mediterranean, Mexico, Nepal, North Africa, North America, Pakistan, Russia, Sicily, South Africa, Southern Africa, Spain, Sudan, Swaziland, Tajikistan, Turkey, Türkiye, Turkmenistan, Uganda, Uzbekistan, Zimbabwe

How it is used for food

The leaves are cooked. They are often cooked with onion. Caution: They are poisonous uncooked.

Edible parts

Leaves

How it is grown

Its other names

Local names

Kazayagi, Porocnik vzprimeny, Sukazayagi, Tere

Synonyms

Sium erectum Huds.; Sium angustifolium L.;