Plant ident 09/01/2013 - Umbellifers

1. Oenanthe lachenali -  aka Parsley Water Dropwort. According to Frances Rose's 'The Wildflower Key', all Water Dropworts are poisonous.

2. Eryngium pandanifolium 'Physic Purple' leaf - one might not so readily associate this with umbellifers but there are a category of plants in the Apiaceae family that have yucca like leaves with little spikes.

Oenanthe lachenali in the Barn Garden

Eryngium pandanifolium 'Physic Purple', late September in the Long Border

3. Ferula communis aka Giant Fennel, Ferula glauca leaves are very similar but seem to be more blue.

4. Anthriscus sylvestris aka the much loved Cow Parsley at Dixter. This is an edible umbellifer but should only be picked if one is really sure, because of it's likeness to different hemlocks and fool's parsley (Aethusa cynapium), which are poisonous. Although it is suppose to not be that tasty, as it is more like a bitter form of chervil. Apparently it can also be used as an mosquito repellent.

5. Mathiasella bupleuroides 'Green Dream'. Originates from Mexico.

Mathiasella bupleuroides in flower in autumn, outside the front porch of the house.

6. Selinum wallichianum

7. Parsnip - Pastinaca sativa another popular one used in beddings.

8. Melanoselinum decipiens

There was also:

9. Bronze fennel - Foeniculum vulgare 'Atropurpurea'
10. Ferula tingitana 'Cedric Morris'

Out of an interesting observation when cut the Ferula tingitana 'Cedric Morris' hardly lasted seconds and shrivelled up. Out of them all the Selinum, Water Dropwort, Parsnip, Cow's Parsley & Ferula communis have held their shape and colour the best. The Water Dropwort in fact is still going whilst its last contenders Selinum and Ferula have bleached to this whitish yellow colour before withering. The thick stem of the Ferula though is still going strong and its leaves are like dainty corkscrew swirls.