Oenanthe L.

Glabrous annual, biennial or perennial herbs, with fibrous or tuberous roots, often aquatic. Lvs 1–4-pinnate, sometimes reduced to linear fistulose petioles; segments broad to narrow. Umbels compound, often shortly pedunculate and lf-opposed, sometimes terminal; bracts present or 0, entire; bracteoles usually numerous, entire. Petals white or pale pink, somewhat irregular, with apex notched and inflexed; calyx teeth evident, acute. Fr. ovoid, cylindric or globose, terete, not beaked, spineless; commissure broad; ribs 5 per mericarp, the lateral usually grooved or thickened; vittae solitary in furrows.

[From: Webb et al. (1988) Flora of New Zealand. Volume 4.]