This is a fairly common plant which has celery like leaves and an umbelliferous flowerhead with the floret groups slightly separated. The stem is hollow and it tends to grow in marshy places or by stream, rivers and lakes.

All parts of the plant are poisonous and eating it can cause the face to swell and go red, frothing at mouth, difficulties with breathing, dilated pupils - sometimes eyeballs will turn upwards, cold fingers and toes, weak pulse and twitching of muscles. But apart from that it's OK ...

Although it is found in England, Wales Scotland and Ireland this plant has quite a western distribution perhaps because it favours a wetter climate.

Oenanthe crocata Hemlock Water-dropwort Bog on the Lleyn peninsula, Wales 18th June 2010 Previous   Next	Oenanthe crocata Hemlock Water-dropwort leaves There's a buttercup leaf in the middle just to confuse matters. Bog on the Lleyn peninsula, Wales 18th June 2010 Previous   Next
Oenanthe crocata Hemlock Water-dropwort flowers	Oenanthe crocata Hemlock Water-dropwort leaves

Bog on the Lleyn peninsula, Wales 18th June 2010

Added on November 10th 2005, updated 24th June 2010, updated 12th Nov 2014