Fine-leaved Water-dropwort
Oenanthe aquatica
Oenanthe aquatica, fine-leaved water-dropwort, is an aquatic flowering plant in the carrot family. It is widely distributed from the Atlantic coast of Europe to central Asia.
48
Countries
Photo: Wikimedia Commons (CC) via https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Oenanthe_aquatica
Taxonomy & Classification
Kingdom
Plantae
Phylum
Tracheophyta
Class
Magnoliopsida
Order
Apiales
Family
Apiaceae
Genus
Oenanthe
Fine-leaved Water-dropwort belongs to the family Apiaceae, order Apiales, within the Magnoliopsida class.
Species Profile
Oenanthe aquatica, fine-leaved water-dropwort, is an aquatic flowering plant in the carrot family. It is widely distributed from the Atlantic coast of Europe to central Asia.
Fine-leaved Water-dropwort faces severe decline primarily due to habitat loss and degradation of wetland ecosystems. The species is particularly vulnerable to drainage of marshes, water pollution, and changes in water levels that affect its specialized aquatic habitat requirements.
Key Facts
Habitat & Distribution
The native range is from Ireland in the west, eastwards to central Siberia and from the more southerly parts of Scandinavia southwards to the Mediterranean basin. It is rarely found as an introduction outside this area, but there are records of it in Washington, D.C., and New Zealand, where it is not considered to be invasive. Although it was present in a few places in Spain, it is thought to be...
Threats
IUCN Red List: Critically Endangered
Fine-leaved Water-dropwort faces severe decline primarily due to habitat loss and degradation of wetland ecosystems. The species is particularly vulnerable to drainage of marshes, water pollution, and changes in water levels that affect its specialized aquatic habitat requirements.
Water pollution and eutrophication
Wetland drainage and habitat loss
Agricultural intensification
Climate change impacts on wetland systems
Hydrological changes and water level fluctuations
Found in 48 Countries
National vs Global Threat Status
How this species is assessed at the national level compared to its IUCN global status (CR).
| Country | National Status | Global Status | Comparison |
|---|---|---|---|
| EU | LCLeast Concern | CRCritically Endangered | Lower local risk |
| EU | LCLeast Concern | CRCritically Endangered | Lower local risk |
| EU | LCLeast Concern | CRCritically Endangered | Lower local risk |
| EU | LCLeast Concern | CRCritically Endangered | Lower local risk |
National Red List data sourced from the National Red List Project (nationalredlist.org, ZSL) and country-specific Red List authorities.
Community Sightings
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Sources & Attribution
How to Cite
IUCN: IUCN (2025). The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. Version 2025-1. Available at: https://www.iucnredlist.org. doi:10.2305/IUCN.UK.2025-1.RLTS
GBIF: GBIF.org (2025). GBIF Home Page. Available at: https://www.gbif.org
National Red Lists: ZSL (2025). National Red List. Zoological Society of London. Available at: https://www.nationalredlist.org
This page: SpeciesRadar (2025). Fine-leaved Water-dropwort (Oenanthe aquatica). SpeciesRadar: Intelligence for Earth's Biodiversity. Available at: https://speciesradar.org/species/fine-leaved-water-dropwort