Lesser Water-Parsnip

Names and Synonyms

Common Names

• Lesser Water-Parsnip
• narrow-leaf water-parsnip
• water-parsnip
• cutleaf water parsnip

Scientific Names

Accepted name

Synonyms

• Sium orientale
• Berula erecta f. repens
• Sium angustifolium var. repens
• Berula angustifolia subvar. gracile
• Berula angustifolia var. serratifolia
• Carum sioides
• Apium berula
• Selinum berula
• Sium angustifolium var. polyphylla
• Sium ferula
• Sium erectum
• Berula erecta f. serratifolia
• Berula erecta var. stenodon
• Sium novae-mexicae
• Sium novae-mexicae var. fimbriatum
• Apium sium
• Berla monspeliensium
• Siella erecta
• Berula angustifolia
• Berula erecta f. dentata
• Berula erecta f. incisa
• Berula erecta var. macrodon
• Berula erecta f. microphylla
• Berula orientalis
• Berula angustifolia var. dentata
• Berula angustifolia var. gracile
• Sium angustifolium var. decumbens

Regional and Traditional Names

Sources: Wikidata, Catalogue of Life

Taxonomical Classification

This plant belongs to the kingdom Plantae and is classified under the phylum Streptophyta within the class Equisetopsida. It is further categorized under the subclass Magnoliidae and the order Apiales, falling into the family Apiaceae. Finally, its taxonomic identity is defined by its placement in the genus Berula.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Distribution

This plant is widely recognized for its presence across several regions in Northern Europe. Its distribution specifically includes the coastal and inland areas of Denmark. It can also be found growing throughout the landscapes of Great Britain and Ireland. Furthermore, the species extends its range into the northern territories of Norway. Finally, its geographical footprint reaches as far as Sweden.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Botanical Identification

Ecology

The ecology of Berula erecta is characterized by its preference for moist to semi-aquatic environments, where it frequently colonizes habitats such as crop fields, irrigation channels, and various shorelines. This species demonstrates a significant vertical distribution across diverse landscapes, occupying an elevational range that extends from a minimum of 600 m AMSL to a maximum of 2500 m AMSL. By thriving in these water-adjacent niches and across such a broad altitudinal gradient, the plant effectively integrates into both agricultural and natural riparian ecosystems.

Elevational range max:

2500 m AMSL

Elevational range min:

600 m AMSL

Habitat :

crop fields, irrigation channals, shores

Life history

The life history of Berula erecta is characterized by its status as a perennial plant, allowing it to persist through multiple growing seasons. It functions as a cryptophyte, specifically classified as a geophyte, which indicates that its perennuating organs are located underground, enabling it to survive unfavorable environmental conditions. Throughout its existence, the plant maintains an evergreen nature, retaining its foliage rather than shedding it seasonally.

Deciduousness :

evergreen

Life form :

geophyte

Life form :

cryptophyte

Lifecycle :

perennial

Morphology

The morphology of Berula erecta is characterized by its growth form as a non-woody herb, specifically classified as a forb. This plant is primarily terrestrial in its ecological habit and functions as an independent organism, meaning it is not a parasite or an epiphyte. In terms of structural support, it is a self-supporting species rather than a liana or vine. The plant's stature is relatively low, with a height that ranges from a minimum of 0.15 m to a maximum of 1 m, resulting in an average plant height of approximately 0.61 m.

Aquatic :

terrestrial

Climber :

self-supporting

Epiphyte :

terrestrial

Growth form :

herb

Growth form :

forb

Parasite :

independent

Plant height max:

1 m

Plant height mean:

0.608333333333333 m

Plant height min:

0.15 m

Woodiness :

non-woody

Physiology

The physiology of Berula erecta is characterized by a C3 photosynthetic pathway, which facilitates carbon fixation through the Calvin cycle, typical of many aquatic and semi-aquatic herbaceous species. The plant exhibits a non-carnivorous nutritional strategy, relying on traditional autotrophic methods rather than the capture of prey for nutrient acquisition. Morphologically, its leaf development shows significant variation, with leaf lengths ranging from a minimum of 12 cm to a maximum of 22 cm, contributing to a mean leaf size of approximately 35.82875 cm². Furthermore, the plant maintains a mean Specific Leaf Area (SLA) of 337.3 cm²/g, reflecting its leaf mass per area and providing insight into its resource allocation strategies and leaf thickness relative to its environmental adaptations.

Carnivory :

non-carnivorous

Leaf length max:

22 cm

Leaf length min:

12 cm

Leaf size mean:

35.82875 cm²

Photosynthetic pathway :

C3

Specific Leaf Area (SLA) mean:

337.3 cm²/g

Reproduction

The reproduction of Berula erecta is primarily driven by sexual processes, as asexual reproduction is absent in this species. The flowering period typically commences in July and extends through September. During the pollination phase, the plant utilizes a biotic pollination syndrome, specifically relying on insects to facilitate the transfer of pollen. Self-fertilization is present, ensuring reproductive success within the population. Following fertilization, the plant produces dry fruits that are quite small, maintaining a consistent dimension with a mean length of 0.2 cm and a mean width of 0.15 cm (with minimum and maximum values remaining at these same measurements). The resulting seeds are minute, characterized by a mean mass of approximately 0.0005468 g (ranging from a minimum of 0.00049 g to a maximum of 0.0009 g) and a consistent seed volume of 0.49 mm³. Dispersal of these seeds is achieved through an autochorous syndrome, where the plant utilizes internal mechanisms to disperse its offspring.

Dispersal syndrome :

autochorous

Flowering time :

Jul

Flowering time :

Sep

Fruit dryness :

dry

Fruit length max:

0.2 cm

Fruit width max:

0.15 cm

Pollination syndrome :

insect

Pollination syndrome :

biotic

Reproduction asexual :

absent

Seed mass max:

9e-04 g

Seed mass mean:

0.0005468 g

Seed mass min:

0.00049 g

Seed volume max:

0.49 mm³

Self fertilization :

present

Sources: Global Inventory of Floras and Traits (GIFT)

Chemicals

Berula erecta has 10 reported phytochemicals identified across 0 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported chemicals include CATECHIN, Flavonoids, Orientin, RUTIN, Saponins.

CATECHIN

1. PloS one

Flavonoids

1. PloS one

Orientin

1. PloS one

RUTIN

1. PloS one

Saponins

1. PloS one

Tannin

1. PloS one

Terpenoids

1. PloS one

Vitexin

1. PloS one

anthraquinon-

1. PloS one

myricetin

1. PloS one

Activities

Berula erecta has 4 reported activities identified across 0 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported activities include Analgesic, Antifungal, Antioxidant, Antiprotozoal.

Analgesic

1. Journal of ethnopharmacology

Antifungal

1. Journal of ethnopharmacology

Antioxidant

1. PloS one

Antiprotozoal

1. Therapie

Conditions

Berula erecta has 4 reported investigations on conditions identified across 0 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported conditions include Parkinson's disease, cognitive impairments, depression, oxidative stress.

Parkinson's disease

1. PloS one

Cognitive impairments

1. PloS one

Depression

1. PloS one

Oxidative stress

1. PloS one

Preparations

Berula erecta has 2 reported preparations identified across 0 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported preparations include ethyl ether extract, extracts from aerial parts.

Ethyl ether extract

1. Therapie

Extracts from aerial parts

1. Journal of ethnopharmacology