Fulking Hill, Fulking, W Sussex (by spring in the boggy area). Has very distinctive bracteoles, no bracts. It is not a true water cress as those are brassicas, not umbelliers, so have quite different flowers, albeit slightly similar leaves.

Fool's-Water-cress (Helosciadium nodiflorum / Apium nodiflorum) (03/07/2022) Fulking Hill, Fulking, W Sussex (by spring in the boggy area). Has very distinctive bracteoles, no bracts. It is not a true water cress as those are brassicas, not umbelliers, so have quite different flowers, albeit slightly similar leaves.

Fulking Hill, Fulking, W Sussex (by spring in the boggy area). The reason it is called "Fool's" is that whilst the leaves are edible, it is easily confused with the poisonous Lesser Water Parsnip that has very similar leaves. The latter smells of parsnip when crushed, the former of carrot. So smell is key!

Fool's-Water-cress (Helosciadium nodiflorum / Apium nodiflorum) (03/07/2022) Fulking Hill, Fulking, W Sussex (by spring in the boggy area). The reason it is called "Fool's" is that whilst the leaves are edible, it is easily confused with the poisonous Lesser Water Parsnip that has very similar leaves. The latter smells of parsnip when crushed, the former of carrot. So smell is key!

Fulking Hill, Fulking, W Sussex (by spring in the boggy area). ... but also, Lesser Water Parsnip instead has both bracts and bracteoles; only bracteoles in Fool's Water Cress. Also note how this flowers from the leaf axils. Lesser Water Parsnip can do that but also terminal.

Fool's-Water-cress (Helosciadium nodiflorum / Apium nodiflorum) (03/07/2022) Fulking Hill, Fulking, W Sussex (by spring in the boggy area). ... but also, Lesser Water Parsnip instead has both bracts and bracteoles; only bracteoles in Fool's Water Cress. Also note how this flowers from the leaf axils. Lesser Water Parsnip can do that but also terminal.

Fool's-Water-cress (Helosciadium nodiflorum / Apium nodiflorum) (03/07/2022) Fulking Hill, Fulking, W Sussex (by spring in the boggy area).

Fulking Hill, Fulking, W Sussex (by spring in the boggy area). Flowers erupt from leaf axils, not terminal as many other umbellifers. Also note how there are no bracts, only bracteoles. Lesser Water Parsnip instead also has bracts.

Fool's-Water-cress (Helosciadium nodiflorum / Apium nodiflorum) (03/07/2022) Fulking Hill, Fulking, W Sussex (by spring in the boggy area). Flowers erupt from leaf axils, not terminal as many other umbellifers. Also note how there are no bracts, only bracteoles. Lesser Water Parsnip instead also has bracts.

Fulking Hill, Fulking, W Sussex (by spring in the boggy area). Water Cress is a member of the brassica family with quite different flowers, albeit slightly similar leaves.

Fool's-Water-cress (Helosciadium nodiflorum / Apium nodiflorum) (03/07/2022) Fulking Hill, Fulking, W Sussex (by spring in the boggy area). Water Cress is a member of the brassica family with quite different flowers, albeit slightly similar leaves.

Fool's-Water-cress (Helosciadium nodiflorum / Apium nodiflorum) (03/07/2022) Fulking Hill, Fulking, W Sussex (by spring in the boggy area). A mass of leaves.

Fulking Hill, Fulking, W Sussex (by spring in the boggy area). They are shiny green.

Fool's-Water-cress (Helosciadium nodiflorum / Apium nodiflorum) (03/07/2022) Fulking Hill, Fulking, W Sussex (by spring in the boggy area). They are shiny green.

Fool's-Water-cress (Helosciadium nodiflorum / Apium nodiflorum) (03/07/2022) Fulking Hill, Fulking, W Sussex (by spring in the boggy area).

Fulking Hill, Fulking, W Sussex (by spring in the boggy area). Lesser Water Parsnip has a white ring-mark / ridge around the lower leaf petioles which Fool's Water-cress lacks. Sadly no photos.

Fool's-Water-cress (Helosciadium nodiflorum / Apium nodiflorum) (03/07/2022) Fulking Hill, Fulking, W Sussex (by spring in the boggy area). Lesser Water Parsnip has a white ring-mark / ridge around the lower leaf petioles which Fool's Water-cress lacks. Sadly no photos.