Berula is a small, cosmopolitan genus of flowering plants in the family Apiaceae (carrot family), order Apiales, commonly known as water parsnips. The genus comprises perennial, aquatic to semi-aquatic herbaceous plants that grow in and around freshwater habitats such as streams, ditches, marshes, and wet meadows across much of the world.
Plants in Berula have leaves that are usually pinnately divided and oppositely arranged along the stem, giving them a fern-like appearance. The flowers are small and white, arranged in characteristic compound umbels typical of the carrot family. These features make Berula superficially similar to several other aquatic members of Apiaceae, and it is easily confused with the highly toxic water hemlock (Cicuta maculata) — a potentially dangerous misidentification.
Plants of the World Online currently accepts seven species in the genus, distributed across Europe, Asia, Africa, and the Americas. The most widespread member is Berula erecta, which ranges across Eurasia, Africa, and North America and is the species most commonly encountered in temperate wetland habitats.
Etymology
The name Berula is an ancient Latin name for a watercress-like plant, used by classical authors to describe plants growing in or near water. The common name "water parsnip" refers to the aquatic habitat and the superficial resemblance of the leaves to those of the parsnip (Pastinaca sativa), though the plants are not closely related.
Distribution
Berula has a cosmopolitan distribution spanning Europe, Asia, Africa, and the Americas. The type species, Berula erecta, is one of the most widely distributed aquatic plants in the temperate world, recorded across Eurasia, Africa, North America, and beyond. The remaining six accepted species have more restricted ranges within Africa and Asia.
Ecology
Members of Berula are characteristic plants of freshwater and wetland habitats, including the margins of streams, rivers, ditches, ponds, marshes, and wet meadows. They are typically semi-aquatic, tolerating both submerged and emergent conditions. Their flowers attract small insects typical of Apiaceae pollinators. Because Berula species closely resemble the highly toxic water hemlock (Cicuta maculata) and other poisonous Apiaceae, they are of ecological and safety interest in habitats where both genera co-occur.
Taxonomy Notes
The genus Berula belongs to the family Apiaceae, order Apiales. As of June 2026, Plants of the World Online recognizes seven species, several of which were transferred from other genera (including Sium) by Spalik & Downie. The GBIF backbone currently recognizes one species (Berula erecta), reflecting differences in taxonomic treatment between authorities. Berula has historically been confused with related aquatic Apiaceae genera including Sium and Cicuta.
