water parsnip
Sium suave
This plant exhibits leaf polymorphism: its submerged leaves are highly dissected and feathery, while its aerial leaves are simple and sharply serrated.
- Scientific name
- Sium suave
- Taxonomy
- Plantae › Tracheophyta › Magnoliopsida › Apiales › Apiaceae › Sium
- IUCN Red List status
- Least Concern
- Population trend
- stable
- Biome
- wetland
- Habitat
- Marshes, wet meadows, swamps, stream banks, and muddy shores.
- Diet
- Autotrophic (photosynthesis, drawing water and minerals from wet soils).
- Range
- North America, East Asia
- Size
- 0.5 to 2 meters (1.6 to 6.6 feet) tall.
- Lifespan
- Perennial, typically living 3 to 5 years.
- Active
- diurnal
- Threats
- Wetland drainage, development, and competition from invasive species like reed canary grass.
- Safe to approach?
- Harmless, but it is easily confused with the deadly poisonous Water Hemlock (Cicuta maculata). Do not ingest or forage this plant unless you are an expert botanist. If accidentally consumed, seek emergency medical attention immediately.
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 ).
Photo: naturalist charlie, CC-BY, via iNaturalist
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