Umbelifer help please

pammosley · #1 (**permalink**) 11-08-2011, 08:15 AM

Hi folks, I`m not good with umbelifers

Both of these plants were in fens in Norfolk. Sorry about the photos, so much vegetation

Maybe Lesser Water Parsnip?

?

Many thanks for taking the time to look

stevecurtis · #2 (**permalink**) 11-08-2011, 08:25 AM

Im no expert but after my mix up yesterday i think poss Common Valerian .

all the best steve

Dorts · #3 (**permalink**) 11-08-2011, 08:39 AM

Steve is right, Common Valerian - Valeriana officinalis.
It appears to be doing very well this year.
Dorts.

PMG · #4 (**permalink**) 11-08-2011, 08:40 AM

As Steve says its common valerian! Those wonderful little tube shaped flowers with little spreading ends on the petals is diagnostic as are the deeply divided leaves - the whole of the umbel gives a pinish off white impression and the flowers always have a waxy look to me - not a clear clean white confetti-like appearance of the other umbellifers!

Pauline

pammosley · #5 (**permalink**) 11-08-2011, 08:50 AM

Thats great folks, thanks to you all. Pauline, thankyou for hints on recognising the flower shapes & appearence

Mele · #6 (**permalink**) 11-08-2011, 09:33 AM

....valerian, not being an Umbellifer (Apiaceae family) of course, but in the Valerianaceae family, although having an umbel-like flower head....

Lovely flower; stinks to high heaven as a herbal infusion.

Mel