Berula erecta
Cut leaved water parsnip
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Family: Apiaceae · Type: Herb · Native
Berula erecta (Cut leaved water parsnip) is a native California herb in the Apiaceae family, recognized by Widely distributed species reaching its western range limit in California.
Cut leaved water parsnip is a California native perennial found in marshy areas and streams throughout the state at elevations below 2,000 meters. Flowering from July to October, this plant produces small white flowers in delicate compound umbels with spreading rays. Growing up to 1.5 meters tall with ascending or erect hollow stems that root at lower nodes, it develops a distinctive branching habit. Its leaves are pinnately divided with 7 to 12 pairs of oblong to ovate leaflets, which can become highly dissected when growing in submerged conditions. The small, roundish fruits are compressed and have barely visible thread-like ribs embedded in a corky wall.
Identification and appearance
Key characters: Widely distributed species reaching its western range limit in California
Habitat and range
Habitat: Marshy areas, streams
Elevation: < 2000 m
California counties: Orange, Santa Barbara, Los Angeles, Modoc, Monterey, San Diego, Kern, San Bernardino, Inyo, Mono, San Luis Obispo, Sonoma, Ventura, San Mateo, San Francisco, San Benito, Riverside, Siskiyou, Santa Clara, Lassen, Butte, Colusa, Plumas, Shasta, Solano, Contra Costa, Sierra, Napa, Mendocino, Alameda, Santa Cruz, Merced
Outside California: to British Columbia, New York, Texas, Mexico, Eurasia, Africa
Bloom period
Berula erecta blooms Jul-Oct.
How to tell it apart
vs Oenanthe: Berula has fibrous roots and smooth-topped fruits; Oenanthe has tuberous roots and crowned fruits.; vs Nasturtium: Nasturtium is in the mustard family with 4-petaled flowers; Berula has 5-petaled carrot-family flowers.; vs Helosciadium: Helosciadium is now considered part of Apium; check current taxonomy.; vs Conium: Conium has purple-spotted stems and musty odor; Berula has green stems without spots.; vs Sium: Berula has thread-like ribs hidden in corky wall; Sium has thick, obvious corky ribs.
Frequently asked questions
Is Berula erecta native to California?
Yes. Berula erecta is native to California (recorded as native).
When does Berula erecta bloom?
Berula erecta blooms Jul-Oct.
Where in California does Berula erecta grow?
Berula erecta occurs in Orange, Santa Barbara, Los Angeles, Modoc, Monterey, San Diego, Kern, San Bernardino and other counties, at elevations of < 2000 m.
What plant family does Berula erecta belong to?
Berula erecta is in the Apiaceae family, genus Berula.
What habitat does Berula erecta grow in?
Berula erecta grows in Marshy areas, streams.
Related species
Other California species in the same genus, family, or bioregion.
Sources: Jepson eFlora · Index of California Plant Names · CalPhotos
Last updated 2026-10-07
Data from The California Species Project — 14,000+ California species with verified data from CNPS, CDFW, USFWS, Cal-IPC, and more.