Scientific Family
Apiaceae
Other common names
winter fern
Plant type
Forbs and Subshrubs
Origin
Introduced
Lifecycle
Biennial
Height
To 10 feet
Riparian
Yes
A tall, erect, branching plant with compound finely divided leaves; many small white flowers at the end of short flower stalks which spread from a common point, like an umbrella.
Tall, hairless biennial; stems streaked or spotted with purple blotches; large taproot; pungent odor; leaves pinnately compound, finely divided, and sometimes toothed; flower loose inflorescence of small white flowers in umbels.
Habitat
Moist ground near streams, canyons and disturbed areas.
Plant Community
Riparian
Disturbed Areas
Low elevation
5000
High elevation
7500
Flower Characteristics
Small white flowers are 5-petaled to 1/8 inch wide. The flowers form small clusters to 1/2 inch wide. The clusters are grouped in compound umbels to 4 inches wide.
Flower color
White
Flower shape
Regular
Tubular
No
First bloom month
June
Last bloom month
September
Flower clusters
Rounded
Leaf and Stem Characteristics
Triangular shaped leaves are fern-like, finely divided, to 2 feet long, sometimes toothed. Purple-spotted grayish-green stems are hollow.
Leaf type
Compound
Leaf color
Green
Leaf shape
Pinnatifid
Leaf margin
Lobed
Leaves clasp
No
Leaf hairs
None
Spines
No
Fruit and Seed Characteristics
Ovate, 1/8 inch wide.
Fruit type
Capsule
Fruit color
Light brown
Seed face is grooved.