Practical
Plants

Berula erecta

Cutleaf Waterparsnip

a perennial member of the Berula genus in the family Umbelliferae.

No photo available

Taxonomy and growth

Genus
Berula
Life cycle
perennial
Height
1 m
Fertility
Insects
Flower type
hermaphrodite
Pollinators
Insects

Uses

Toxicity

Toxicity warning. The historical record reports a hazard for this plant. Do not use it to decide which parts are safe to eat or use medicinally.

This section contains historical Plants For A Future notes marked noncommercial.

The plant is toxic, and capable of causing death to grazing animals[3].

Edible uses

The leaves and flowers have been used for food[4]. There are no edible uses listed for Berula erecta.

Medicinal uses

Historical medicinal uses. These records describe reported uses. They do not establish safety or effectiveness. Ask a qualified health professional before using any plant medicinally.

This section contains historical Plants For A Future notes marked noncommercial.

The plant is used externally in the treatment of rheumatism[2]. An infusion of the whole plant can be used as a wash for swellings, rashes and athletes foot infections[2].

Environment

Range
Most of Europe, including Britain, N. America, W. and C. Asia.
Habitat
Ditches, canals, ponds, fens and marshes throughout Britain[1].
Light
full sun
Shade tolerance
light shade
Water
high
Hardiness
Zone 3+
Soil textures
sandy, loamy, clay
Soil pH
acid, neutral, alkaline
Tolerates Nutritionally Poor Soil
No
Drought
intolerant

Propagation

This section contains historical Plants For A Future notes marked noncommercial.

Seed -

Cultivation

This section contains historical Plants For A Future notes marked noncommercial.

We have no information on the cultivation needs of this plant but, judging by its native habitats, it is likely to need a moist to wet soil in full sun or light shade[K]. The leaves of this plant are very similar to Apium nodiflorum, differing in colour and in the usually greater number of pairs of segments[1].

References

  1. Clapham, Tootin and Warburg. Flora of the British Isles. Cambridge University Press 1962-00-00

    ↩1↩2

  2. Moerman. D. Native American Ethnobotany Timber Press. Oregon. 1998-00-00 ISBN 0-88192-453-9

    ↩1↩2

  3. Diggs, Jnr. G.M.; Lipscomb. B. L. & O'Kennon. R. J Illustrated Flora of North Central Texas Botanical Research Institute, Texas. 1999-00-00 http://artemis.austincollege.edu/acad/bio/gdiggs/NCTXpdf.htm

    ↩

  4. Moerman. D. Native American Ethnobotany Timber Press. Oregon. ISBN 0-88192-453-9 (1998-00-00)

    ↩

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