Helosciadium nodiflorum

(L.) W.D.J.Koch Fool's Water-cress
Nova Acta Phys.-Med. Acad. Caes. Leop.-Carol. Nat. Cur. 12: 126 (1824)
Taxonomic status Accepted
Occurrence status Present
Origin Introduced
Degree of establishment Naturalised

Semi-aquatic or aquatic perennial to 1.5 m high, rooting at lower nodes. Leaves with 3–17 pinnae, to 70 cm long and 10 cm wide; pinnae ovate to lanceolate, 1–4 cm long, to 2.5 cm wide, serrate or crenate, sometimes lobed. Umbels 2–4 cm diam.; rays 4–14, 2–3 cm long; bracts 0–2; bracteoles 4–8, narrowly lanceolate, equalling or exceeding pedicels, margins white. Fruit ovoid, 1.5–2.5 mm long. Flowers Nov.–Feb.

VVP, GipP. Also naturalised NSW. Native to Europe, northern Africa and western and central Asia.

In weedy urban streambanks north of Melbourne (e.g. Merri, Darebin, and Moonee Ponds Creeks).

This species is often confused with Berula erecta which has 4–7 bracts at the base of the umbels.

Created by: Daniel Ohlsen, 18 Aug. 2016
Updated by: Val Stajsic, 16 Jun. 2021
Helosciadium nodiflorum (hero image) Spinning
Helosciadium nodiflorum (distribution map) Spinning