Water dropwort
Oenanthe javanica (Blume) DC.
Water dropwort (Oenanthe javanica) is a moisture-loving herb with hollow, jointed stems and celery-scented leaves; used in soups, stir-fries and salads, it is considered cooling and refreshing.
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Water dropwortOverview
Water dropwort is a perennial herb of wet places, 30–80 cm tall; its slender, hollow, jointed stems creep and then rise. The pinnately divided leaves have serrate margins and a light green colour with a mild celery-like scent. Small white flowers form umbels at the tips in late summer.
Water dropwort is widely cultivated across East and Southeast Asia; in Vietnam it is grown in moist fields and by ponds. The young shoots flavour soups, beef stir-fries, salads and hot-pot, offering an aromatic, crisp bite. Note that some Oenanthe species are toxic, so only the edible species should be used and it is best cooked.
Distribution & origin
Share of recorded occurrences by region- East Asia35%
- Southeast Asia35%
- Vietnam15%
- Others15%
Chemical composition
Relative content in agarwood resin- Aromatic essential oilCharacteristic celery aroma40%
- Vitamins and mineralsMicronutrients30%
- FlavonoidsAntioxidant30%
Uses
- Cooked in soup
- Stir-fried with beef, salads, hot-pot
- Considered cooling and refreshing
Properties
- Taste
- Celery-like, crisp, cooling
- Use
- Vegetable; cooling
Habitat & conservation
Wet places, paddy fields and pond margins; cool climate.
Conservation
Widely grown and gathered; not threatened.
References
- 1Kew Science – Plants of the World Online: Oenanthe javanica — Kew (Plants of the World Online), 2026
- 2Wikipedia – Oenanthe javanica — Wikipedia, 2026