Oenanthe javanica Dc.

Plants 10–80 cm. Roots fibrous. Stems decumbent. Basal petioles 5–10 cm; blade oblong-ovate, 1–2-pinnate; ultimate segments ovate or rhombic-ovate, 5–50 × 5–20 mm, margins serrate. Cauline leaves gradually reduced upwards, smaller, becoming sessile on expanded sheaths. Umbels 3–5 cm across; peduncles 2–16 cm; bracts absent, or occasionally 1, linear, 3–11 mm; rays 6–16(–30), 1–3 cm, subequal or unequal; bracteoles 2–8, linear, 2–4 cm, as long as pedicels; umbellules ca. 20-flowered; pedicels 1.5–4 mm. Calyx teeth ca. 0.5 mm. Styles patent, 1.2–2 mm. Fruit subglobose or ovoid, ca. 2.5 × 2 mm; dorsal and intermediate ribs slightly corky-thickened.

A tropical plant. It mostly occurs between 700 and 2800 m altitude in the tropics. But it also grows down to the coast where it is becoming more popular. It grows in wetlands. It also grows in China, Indonesia and other Asian countries. In Northeastern India it grows between 1,900-3,000 m above sea level. It grows best between 15° to 25°C. It suits hardiness zones 9-12. Bontoc. At MARDI. In Yunnan. In Sichuan.

The plant is often eaten raw or cooked. They are boiled or steamed. The leaves are used in soups and salads and with chicken. CAUTION Although not known to contain the very poisonous oenanthotoxin it contains a hallucinatory drug myristicin.

This plant often grows wild. These self sown plants are not as tasty as the cultivated types but they are eaten. The plant is also grown in gardens. It is planted by using cuttings. Often 5 or 6 cuttings are planted in a hole made with a digging stick. In moist soil the plants establish quickly and easily. It is also possible to grow the plants by seeds, but these are rarely used in Papua New Guinea. The leaves and young tips of the plant are often eaten raw or cooked.