How to Grow and Care for Water Parsnips

The cutleaf waterparsnip (Berula erecta), a member of the carrot family, grows in the eastern and central parts of North America. It is found in or near water and reaches a height of around 91 cm. It has coarsely toothed leaves and rounded clusters of tiny white flowers. During the winter, plants growing in wetlands become completely submerged underwater.

Berula erecta subsp. thunbergii is characterized by its upright, hollow stems and delicate, finely toothed compound leaves. Typically found along streams and in wetlands, its robust root system thrives in these aquatic environments. Small white umbel flowers give a hint of its place in the carrot family, attracting a suite of pollinators. Its survival is closely tied to water availability, reflecting a specialization in riparian habitats.