A glabrous perennial herb. Roots cylindrical-obovoid tubers, 6 x lcm. Stem hollow and grooved. Umbels compound, terminal. 5-10cm. diam. with (7)12-40 smooth rays (1.5)3-8 cm long. Peduncle longer than rays. Terminal hermaphrodite, lateral male Partial umbels not flat topped in fruit. Leaves lower: 30cm 3(4) pinnate, sheathing petioles. Segments 1-2cm, ovate to suborbicular in outline, crenate to pinnatifid, cuneate at the base, serrate, teeth obtuse or subacute with minute apiculus. Upper: 1-2 pinnate, narrower segments with short sheathing petiole. Cotyledons abruptly contracted into a petiole. Bracts 5, linear to 3-fid. Bracteoles 6 or more, caducous, linear lanceolate. Flowers white. Sepals ovate to triangular, acute, persistent, outer petals scarcely radia­ting, unequal. Styles form a stylopodium. F1 .6-7. Fruit 4-5.5 mm. cylindrical., rarely subovoid. Commisure broad. Mericarps with slender ridges. Carpophore present vittae solitary. Styles 2mm, erect 1/2 > as fruit.

Cardiotoxic, emmenagogue, litholytic, narcotic, poisonous and toxic

Online Guide To Umbelliferae Of British Isles
Oenanthe Crocata - Homeopathic Remedies

Apiole, mannitol (root); myristicin (plant)

The roots are used as a poultice for eruptions of the skin, whitlows & foul ulcers. A tincture is used for treating gall stones. In homeopathic medicine, it is used for treating epileptiform convulsions; worse, during menstruation and pregnancy, puerperal eclampsia, uraemic convulsions, burning in throat and stomach, nausea and vomiting, red spots in face, convulsive facial twitching, skin affections, especially lepra and ichthyosis.

James A Duke and Maryl Fulton. Handbook of Medicinal Herbs - 2nd Edition, P: 761, CRC Press July 2002.