Great water-parsnip (Sium latifolium, Sp. Pl.: 251 (1753))

Family: Apiaceae

Author: L.

Bibliography: Sp. Pl.: 251 (1753)

Year: 1753

Status: accepted

Rank: species

Genus: Sium

Vegetable: False

Observations: Europe to Siberia and Xinjiang

Description

Great water-parsnip, known scientifically as Sium latifolium, is an intriguing plant species belonging to the Apiaceae family. First described by the renowned botanist Carl Linnaeus in 1753 in “Species Plantarum,” this plant has carved a niche for itself in diverse regions spanning Europe, Siberia, and the northwestern part of China, particularly the Xinjiang province.

This herbaceous perennial thrives in wet habitats, flourishing along the banks of streams, rivers, and wetlands where the soil remains perpetually moist. Its preference for aqueous environments makes it a critical component of its ecosystem, contributing significantly to the biodiversity and ecological stability of these habitats.

Great water-parsnip is characterized by its tall stature and robust build, often reaching significant heights that make it easily identifiable among other flora. The plant displays compound leaves with finely divided leaflets, and during its blooming season, it produces clusters of small, white flowers arranged in umbels—a common feature observed within the Apiaceae family. These flowers are not just visually appealing but are also instrumental in attracting pollinators such as bees and butterflies, further accentuating its ecological importance.

Furthermore, the plant’s range highlights its adaptability to different climatic conditions and soil types, from the temperate zones of Europe to the harsher, more variable climates found in Siberia and Xinjiang. This adaptability underscores the plant’s resilience and its potential utility in broader ecological and conservation efforts.

Great water-parsnip holds historical significance in various cultures, particularly in traditional medicine, where it has been utilized for its presumed therapeutic properties. Although not as commonly used today, its historical uses reflect a rich heritage of ethnobotanical knowledge.

In sum, Sium latifolium, or Great water-parsnip, is not just a plant of botanical interest but an integral part of wetland ecosystems, showcasing remarkable ecological versatility and historical cultural value. Its continued study and conservation will undoubtedly contribute to our understanding and preservation of wetland biodiversity.

Common Names

Dan: bredbladet mærke, bredbladet mærke (submers form)
Deu: breitblättriger merk, grosser merk, großer merk
Fra: grande berle
Eng: great water-parsnip, greater water-parsnip, wideleaf waterparsnip
Nld: grote watereppe
Nor: vaspastinak
Swe: vattenmärke, märke
Nob: stor vasskjeks
Nno: stor vasskjeks
Cym: dwfr-foronen mwyaf, dyfr-foronen, dyfr-foronen llydanddail, moronen y dŵr llydanddail, panasen y dŵr, panasen-y-dŵr lydanddail, pannas y dŵr llydanddail, pannas y dŵr mwyaf
En: Great water-parsnip, Greater water-parsnip, Wideleaf waterparsnip, Water Parsnip
Ar: حصواء
Az: Enliyarpaq sukərəvizi
Be: Паручайнік шыракалісты
Bg: Широколистно ручейниче
Ca: Creixen de fulla ampla
Zh: 欧泽芹
Cs: Sevlák potoční
Da: Bredbladet Mærke, Bredbladet mærke (submers form)
Nl: Grote watereppe
Et: Harilik jõgiputk
Fi: Sorsanputki, Isosorsanputki
Fr: Grande berle, Berle à larges feuilles, Berle à feuilles larges
De: Breitblättriger Merk, Grosser Merk, Großer Merk, Sumpf-Merk
It: Sedanina selvatica, Sio
Lt: Plačialapė drėgmenė
No: Vaspastinak
Nb: Stor vasskjeks
Nn: Stor vasskjeks
Pl: Marek szerokolistny
Ru: Поручейник широколистный
Sv: Vattenmärke, Märke
Cy: Panasen-y-dŵr lydanddail, Dwfr-Foronen Mwyaf, Dyfr-Foronen, Dyfr-Foronen Llydanddail, Moronen y Dŵr Llydanddail, Panasen y Dŵr, Pannas y Dŵr Llydanddail, Pannas y Dŵr Mwyaf

Synonyms

• Pimpinella latifolia ((L.) Stokes)
• Sium latifolium var. univittatum (J.M.Black)
• Sisarum palustre (Bubani)
• Sisarum macrophyllum (Schur)
• Sisarum germanorum (Schur)
• Selinum sium (E.H.L.Krause)
• Sium latifolium var. grandifolium (N.Coleman)
• Sium latifolium var. longifolium (Fr.)
• Cicuta latifolia ((L.) Crantz)
• Sium sulcatum (Pers.)
• Drepanophyllum latifolium ((L.) Koso-Pol.)
• Sium latissimum (Boreau)
• Coriandrum latifolium ((L.) Crantz)
• Drepanophyllum palustre (Hoffm.)
• Sium aquaticum (Gueldenst. ex Ledeb.)
• Sium lancifolium (Schrank)

Distribution

• Albania (native)
• Altay (native)
• Austria (native)
• Baltic States (native)
• Belarus (native)
• Belgium (native)
• Bulgaria (native)
• Buryatiya (native)
• Central European Rus (native)
• Czechoslovakia (native)
• Denmark (native)
• East European Russia (native)
• Finland (native)
• France (native)
• Germany (native)
• Great Britain (native)
• Greece (native)
• Hungary (native)
• Ireland (native)
• Irkutsk (native)
• Italy (native)
• Kazakhstan (native)
• Krasnoyarsk (native)
• Netherlands (native)
• North Caucasus (native)
• North European Russi (native)
• Northwest European R (native)
• Poland (native)
• Romania (native)
• South European Russi (native)
• Spain (native)
• Sweden (native)
• Switzerland (native)
• Transcaucasus (native)
• Ukraine (native)
• West Siberia (native)
• Xinjiang (native)
• Yugoslavia (native)
• Chile Central (introduced)
• Chile North (introduced)

Additional Images

© copyright of the Board of Trustees of the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew.

© copyright of the Board of Trustees of the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew.

© copyright of the Board of Trustees of the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew.

Leaf

Taken Apr 18, 2018 by Rama Seck (cc-by-sa)

Taken May 15, 2004 by Photoflora – Jean-Luc TASSET (©)

Taken May 15, 2004 by Photoflora – Benoit BOCK (©)

Taken May 24, 2020 by Marc Garriga Lujan (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jul 18, 2021 by k sch (cc-by-sa)

Flower

Taken Aug 14, 2021 by David Scott (cc-by-sa)

Taken Sep 5, 2006 by Tela Botanica − Mathieu MENAND (cc-by-sa)

Taken Aug 4, 2022 by Michael Löfroth (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jul 10, 2018 by Ana Ostojić (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jul 18, 2021 by k sch (cc-by-sa)

Habit

Taken Jun 25, 2022 by Andrzej Konstantynowicz (cc-by-sa)

Taken Aug 15, 2020 by Alyona Appel (cc-by-sa)

Taken Sep 15, 2013 by Photoflora – Benoit BOCK (©)

Taken May 15, 2004 by Photoflora – Jean-Luc TASSET (©)

Taken May 15, 2004 by Photoflora – Benoit BOCK (©)

Fruit

Taken Aug 24, 2022 by Tomaž Jančar (cc-by-sa)

Taken Aug 24, 2022 by Tomaž Jančar (cc-by-sa)

Other

Taken Jul 15, 1996 by Photoflora – Benoit BOCK (©)

Taken Jul 15, 1996 by Photoflora – Benoit BOCK (©)

Taken Jul 15, 1996 by Photoflora – Benoit BOCK (©)

Taken Jan 1, 1970 by Photoflora – L’Abbé COSTE (©)

Taken Jun 30, 1874 by Tela Botanica − Herbier PONTARLIER-MARICHAL (cc-by-sa)

Bark

Taken May 15, 2004 by Photoflora – Benoit BOCK (©)

Sources

• WFO (No URL)
• IPNI (No URL)
• GBIF (https://www.gbif.org/species/3034530)
• POWO (http://powo.science.kew.org/taxon/urn:lsid:ipni.org:names:849010-1)
• PlantNet (https://identify.plantnet.org/species/the-plant-list/Sium latifolium L.)

Specifications

Growth

Ph maximum: 7.5

Ph minimum: 7.0

Light: 7

Atmospheric humidity: 8

Bloom months: [‘jul’, ‘aug’, ‘sep’]

Soil nutriments: 6