Oenanthe fistulosa - Tubular Water-dropwort - (Apiaceae)

Tubular Water Dropwort

This lovely wildflower with its angular stems is found mainly in marsh, fen and boggy land. Other than the unusual stem structure another good guide to its identification are the sparse, grey-green narrow and pointed leaves.

The generic name Oenanthe, from the Greek word meaning wine flower, refers to the smell given off by the plants if the stems are crushed - they smell like wine.

Closeup of flower heads

Tubular Water Dropwort favours lime-rich permanently wet soil and is not very common. It is also difficult to spot as, from a distance, it resembles other species like Field Scabious.

These photographs were taken in Wales at Kenfig Pool at Kenfig National Nature Reserve in Wales in July.