Family
Apiaceae
Botanical Name
OENANTHE javanica
Plant Common Name
Java Water Dropwort, Water Celery, Water Parsley
Special Notice
This entry has yet to be reviewed and approved by L2G editors.
General Description
Delicate, fern-like foliage is both pretty and edible, and water parsley's flat, branched clusters of starry white flowers add interest in late summer. A water-loving tender perennial, it is native to a large area: India eastward to Japan and southward to Queensland in Australia. It spreads as its horizontal stems root as it touches moist soil.
The feathery, lacy leaves have an overall triangular shape. Each leaf has many oval, toothed leaflets that are a medium green. In late summer, stem tips yield a compound umbel, which is a group of umbrella-like flower clusters that are collectively displayed in a larger umbrella-like head. The flower stems all radiate out from a central point. The tiny white flowers are star-shaped and will be visited by butterflies, flies and beetles.
Grow water parsley in full sun to partial shade locales in any moist to wet soil. In full sun, shallow water over the roots is recommended, but in partial shade this perennial can tolerate much drier conditions. Evergreen in mild regions, the plants should be mulched in winter where temperatures can dip below freezing. The later stems will readily root in moist soil and create a spreading clump. Since the leaves are edible (tasting like celery to a bit more peppery), the clump can be managed with consistent leaf harvesting for salads and mixed steamed vegetable dishes. Use it at water's edge at a garden stream or in the bog garden. It can be contained in a moist pot or surrounding the clump with markedly drier soil conditions. The cultivar 'Flamingo' is much more popular since it has variegated foliage.
Characteristics
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AHS Heat Zone
12 - 1
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USDA Hardiness Zone
9 - 11
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Sunset Zone
H1, 9, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24
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Plant Type
Tender Perennial
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Sun Exposure
Full Sun, Partial Sun, Partial Shade
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Height
8"-16" / 20.3cm - 40.6cm
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Width
2'-4' / 0.6m - 1.2m
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Bloom Time
Late Summer, Early Fall
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Native To
Southern Asia, Southeastern Asia, India, China, Japan, Australia
Growing Conditions
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Soil pH
Acidic, Neutral, Alkaline
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Soil Drainage
Poorly Drained
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Soil type
Clay, Loam, Sand
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Tolerances
Wet Site
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Growth Rate
Fast
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Water Requirements
Drought Tolerant, Average Water, Ample Water
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Habit
Spreading
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Seasonal Interest
Summer, Fall
Ornamental Features
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Flower Interest
Showy
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Flower Color
White
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Foliage Color (Spring)
Green
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Foliage Color (Summer)
Green
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Foliage Color (Fall)
Green
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Foliage Color (Winter)
Green
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Fragrant Fruit
No
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Flower Petal Number
Single
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Repeat Bloomer
No
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Showy Fruit
No
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Edible Fruit
No
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Showy Foliage
Yes
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Foliage Texture
Fine
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Foliage Sheen
Matte
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Evergreen
Yes
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Showy Bark
No
Special Characteristics
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Usage
Container, Edible, Groundcover, Herb / Vegetable, Water Gardens
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Sharp or Has Thorns
No
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Invasive
Sometimes
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Attracts
Butterflies
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Self-Sowing
Yes
