Practical
Plants

Oenanthe aquatica

Water Dropwort

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

No photo available

Taxonomy and growth

Life cycle
perennial
Height
1.5 m
Fertility
Self fertile, Bees, Flies, Beetles
Flower type
hermaphrodite
Pollinators
Bees, Flies, Beetles

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.

All parts of the plant are poisonous[5][8][6][7]. It is said to contain the alleged 'psychotroph' myristicine[4].

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 fruit is antiperiodic, diaphoretic, diuretic, expectorant and pectoral. It is used in the treatment of chronic pectoral affections, dyspepsia, intermittent fevers, obstinate ulcers etc[5][8][3]. This plant should be used with great caution, and only under the supervision of an experienced practitioner. In overdose the fruits cause vertigo, intoxication and other narcotic effects. The roots have been used externally in the treatment of piles[5]. A homeopathic remedy is made from the fruits. It is used in the treatment of bronchitis, coughs etc[8].

Product or use
Antiperiodic
Product or use
Diaphoretic
Product or use
Diuretic
Product or use
Expectorant
Product or use
Homeopathy
Product or use
Narcotic
Product or use
Pectoral

Environment

Range
Europe, including Britain, though absent from the far north, to W. Asia.
Habitat
In slow moving or stagnant water[1], and by the sides of streams, avoiding acid conditions[5].
Light
full sun
Shade tolerance
no shade
Water
aquatic
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 - sow spring or late summer in situ.

Cultivation

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

Requires shallow water or a very wet fertile soil[2]. Individual plants are biennial, dying after flowering. The plant perrenates, however, by means of offsets[1].

References

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

    ↩1↩2

  2. Huxley. A. The New RHS Dictionary of Gardening. 1992. MacMillan Press 1992-00-00 ISBN 0-333-47494-5

    ↩

  3. Lust. J. The Herb Book. Bantam books 1983-00-00 ISBN 0-553-23827-2

    ↩

  4. Duke. J. A. and Ayensu. E. S. Medicinal Plants of China Reference Publications, Inc. 1985-00-00 ISBN 0-917256-20-4

    ↩

  5. Grieve. A Modern Herbal. Penguin 1984-00-00 ISBN 0-14-046-440-9

    ↩1↩2↩3↩4

  6. Frohne. D. and Pf�nder. J. A Colour Atlas of Poisonous Plants. Wolfe 1984-00-00 ISBN 0723408394

    ↩

  7. Cooper. M. and Johnson. A. Poisonous Plants in Britain and their Effects on Animals and Man. HMSO 1984-00-00 ISBN 0112425291

    ↩

  8. Launert. E. Edible and Medicinal Plants. Hamlyn 1981-00-00 ISBN 0-600-37216-2

    ↩1↩2↩3

Edit this page