Oenanthe pimpinelloides L.
parsley dropwort
Erect, terrestrial perennial, with ovoid tubers towards ends of roots. Stems ± solid or hollow, striate, grooved, often purple tinged toward base, 30-90 cm high, not rooting at nodes. Basal lvs 2-pinnate, petiolate; ultimate segments ovate, lobed or not, serrate, 5-15-(20) mm long; stem lvs 1-2-pinnate with lanceolate to linear segments, or simple and entire. Umbels terminal, long-pedunculate, 2-6 cm diam.; rays 6-12; rays and pedicels much thickened at fruiting; bracts 0-10, linear; bracteoles numerous, linear. Fls numerous, white, 3-4 mm diam. Fr. cylindric, c. 3 mm long; ribs prominent, the lateral larger and spongy; styles somewhat thickened, > ⅔ length of fr.
N.: common from Coromandel and Auckland City northwards, abundant in some areas, also recently collected from East Cape, and once from Lower Hutt.
Europe, Asia Minor 1940
Pasture, waste land, palustral, cultivated land, lawns, gardens.
FL Oct-Apr.
Parsley dropwort is an aggressive and persistent weed, which invades pasture and has become extremely common in Northland in the last 30 years (Plate 2). It reproduces through seed and tubers. It is distinguished by the narrow upper lvs, and stout thickened fruiting rays and pedicels.
