Tiedemannia filiformis (Walter) M.A. Feist & S. R. Downie

Water Cowbane; Leafless Cowbane; Water Dropwort

Herb

Perennial

Vascular

Water Cowbane is a native herbaceous perennial in the Carrot family (Apiaceae). It can be found in the southern fourth of Alabama. Water Cowbane grows in bogs, in depressions in pine flatwoods, along small streams, and in wet roadside ditches. It often grows in shallow standing water. Water Cowbane is a perennial with a tap root. Stems are erect, 3-5 feet in height, and with few branches. The stems are striate and often glaucous. The leaves are alternate, septate, and phyllodial (an expanded petiole resembling a leaf, but without a flattened blade). The leaves are greatly reduced in size upwards along the stem. Flowers are produced in compound umbels. The compound umbel is subtended by 4-10 lanceolate bracts. Each branch of the compound umbel has 12-22 white flowers subtended by 6-8 linear bractlets (bracteoles). The flowers are stalked, and have 5 white petals, 5 stamens with white or pinkish anthers, and a single pistil. The petals often curve inward over the center of the flower. The fruit is oval or elliptic in outline with flat lateral wings. Water Cowbane is a larval host for the Black Swallowtail Butterfly (Papilio polyxenes). Water Cowbane is not usually available from native plant nurseries, but it can be grown from seed. It requires a wet, organic rich soil in full sun. It can be grown in a bog garden or shallow pool.--A. Diamond

**

Native FACW+ (NWPL)

**