What do you think the plant in the picture is? How do you differentiate the edible water dropwort (oenanthe javanica) from the poisonous hemlock water dropwort (oenanthe crocata)? Please advise. Thanks!
IF, and this is a mighty big if, the choices are narrowed down to the two species, then O. crocata apparently has white, carrot-like roots compared to O. javanica with fibrous roots. Can't tell from this photo if that's the major difference. Don't experiment with members of this family unless you are absolutely certain what you are ingesting / touching.
After further investigations, I am quite convinced that it is the edible java water dropwort. Its roots are fibrous and can form from parts of stem touching the ground. The hemlock water dropwort has tuberous roots. Furthermore, the plant in the picture matches all the characteristics of an Oenanthe javanica as described by Java waterdropwort/Oenanthe javanica - Wisconsin DNR Do you agree with me?
