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Oenanthe crocata

hemlock water-dropwort

Apiaceae Western Europe, North Africa

Attracts Pollinators Deer Resistant

SunFull Sun – Part Shade

WaterHigh

HardinessZones 7–9

Overview

Oenanthe crocata is a robust perennial of wet ground, 100-150 cm (39-59 in) tall, with stout, hollow, grooved stems and bright green, two- to three-times divided leaves that resemble flat-leaved parsley or celery. From early summer it carries broad, domed umbels 5-10 cm (2-4 in) across of small white flowers, followed by cylindrical ridged seeds. The base of the plant produces clusters of swollen, pale tubers that have led to the country name dead man's fingers. All parts contain oenanthotoxin and related compounds, with the roots the most concentrated, and ingestion can be fatal to people and livestock; the crushed plant has a sweetish parsley-like smell that can mask its danger. It grows in ditches, marshes, wet meadows, and along streams and pond edges, spreading into colonies on saturated ground. Top growth dies back in autumn and regrows from the tubers in spring. It needs permanently moist to wet soil and full sun to light shade, and declines on dry ground.

Native Range

Oenanthe crocata is native to western Europe, from the British Isles and Iberia to the western Mediterranean, and into North Africa. It grows in ditches, fens, wet meadows, marshes, and along the banks of streams and ponds, usually on wet, base-rich soils. It is not native to North America.

Suggested Uses

Planted in wild and naturalistic wetland gardens, pond margins, and ditch sides on permanently wet ground. Used in conservation and wildlife plantings where its umbels feed insects. Its extreme toxicity restricts it to locations without grazing animals, children, or foraging access.

How to Identify

Identify Oenanthe crocata by its stout hollow stems, glossy parsley-like leaves, and broad domed umbels of white flowers in early summer. The lower leaf segments are broad and wedge-shaped, and the root crown bears a cluster of finger-like pale tubers. A yellow juice that stains the cut surface saffron, along with the sweetish smell, helps separate it from similar wetland umbellifers; all parts are highly poisonous and resemble edible relatives such as celery and water parsnip.

Appearance

Size & Dimensions

Height3'3" - 4'11"

Width/Spread2' - 4'

Reaches mature size in approximately 3 years

Colors

Flower Colors

white

Foliage Colors

green

Bloom Information

Bloom Period

~6 weeks

Summer

Flowering runs from June to July. The white domed umbels open above the foliage in early to midsummer. Ridged seeds ripen through late summer, after which the top growth begins to die back.

Detailed Descriptions

Foliage Description

Bright green

Growing Conditions

Sun Requirements

SunFull Sun SunPartial Shade

Requires 4-12 hours of direct sunlight daily

• Full Sun: 6+ hours of direct sunlight

• Partial Shade: 3-6 hours of direct sunlight

• Full Shade: Less than 3 hours of direct sunlight

Soil Requirements

pH Range6.0 - 8.0(Neutral)

357912

Soil Types

clay loam silt

Drainagewet

Water & Climate

Water Needs

High

Frost Tolerance

hardy

Time to Maturity

2-3 years

Care & Maintenance

Care Guide

Grow Oenanthe crocata in permanently moist to wet soil in full sun or light shade, at pond and ditch margins or in bog ground. It tolerates seasonal flooding and base-rich, heavy soils but fails on dry sites. The plant is hardy and needs no winter protection across temperate zones. All parts are highly poisonous and the tubers carry the strongest concentration, so it is planted only where there is no chance of it being mistaken for an edible plant. No feeding is needed in reasonable wet soil. It spreads on suitable ground and can be reduced by lifting tubers in autumn.

Pruning

No routine pruning is needed. Cut down spent flowering stems after seeding, or remove the umbels earlier to limit self-sowing. Lifting and reducing tubers in autumn keeps colonies in check.

⚠️ Toxicity Warning

Toxic to pets and humans