A lush, water's edge aquatic herb. Often supported by other plants; stems are erect, branched, hollow, rooting at lower nodes.
Only 1 species of Berula in Yavapai County. Fruit is oval and has a corky cover and narrow ribs; involucre is conspicuous; leaves are pinnate; Inflorescence branches arise from a single point (umbellate).
Habitat
Almost always occurs in wetlands; usually found in marshy areas and slowly moving streams.
Flower Characteristics
Flat to rounded clusters 1-1/2 to 2-1/2 inches across with an average of 10 groups each with 10 to 20 tiny white flowers. Individual flowers are about 1/8 inch across, have 5 petals, notched at the tip, 5 slender white stamens and a creamy white center.
Leaf and Stem Characteristics
Compound, up to 12 inches long, with 4 to 11 pairs of leaflets, 1/2 to 1-1/2 inches long. Early leaves have oval leaflets with rounded teeth, becoming more broadly lance-like and coarsely toothed on the lower stem.