Berula is a cosmopolitan genus of flowering plants in the family Apiaceae, whose species are known as water parsnips,[1] as are some other plants in Apiaceae such as Sium latifolium and Sium suave. It is easily confused with the highly toxic water hemlock (Cicuta maculata).

Berula
Berula erecta
Scientific classification Edit this classification
Kingdom: Plantae
Clade: Tracheophytes
Clade: Angiosperms
Clade: Eudicots
Clade: Asterids
Order: Apiales
Family: Apiaceae
Subfamily: Apioideae
Tribe: Oenantheae
Genus: Berula
W.D.J.Koch

Berula species are perennial, aquatic to semi-aquatic, herbaceous plants. The leaves are usually oppositely arranged. The flowerheads are arranged in umbels of small white flowers. Berula erecta is a widespread aquatic plant with fern-like leaves, found across Eurasia, Africa, North America, and elsewhere.[1][2]

Taxonomy

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As of February 2015, The Plant List accepts five species:

References

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  1. ^ a b Calflora taxon report, University of California: Berula erecta
  2. ^ Pu Fading; Mark F. Watson. "Berula". Flora of China. Vol. 14. Retrieved 16 December 2018 – via eFloras.org, Missouri Botanical Garden, St. Louis, MO & Harvard University Herbaria, Cambridge, MA.