Hemlock Waterparsnip
Sium suave
- Native to:
- Canada, China, Japan, Korea, Labrador, Prince Edward I., Russia, Taiwan, United States
Agnieszka Kwiecień, Nova
Taxonomy
- Division:
- Magnoliophyta | - Flowering plants
- Family:
- Apiaceae
- Genus:
- Sium
- Species:
- Sium suave
- USDA Symbol:
- SISU2
Growth Characteristics
- Life Cycle:
- Perennial
- Growth Habit:
- Forb/herb
- Height:
- 180 cm
- Light Requirements:
- Full Sun
- Drought Tolerance:
- Low
- Bloom Months:
- jul,aug,sep
- Bloom Colors:
- white
Wildlife Benefits
- Bees:
- ★☆☆☆☆ Documented bee visitation (GBIF)
- Butterflies & Moths:
- ★☆☆☆☆ Documented Lepidoptera association (GBIF)
- Caterpillars:
- ★☆☆☆☆ Recorded caterpillar host plant (HOSTS Database)
Keystone Species Ranking
- Caterpillar Keystone:
- ★★★☆☆ Butterfly & moth species supported by this genus (NWF)
Host Plant for Caterpillars
Agonopterix clemensella, Agonopterix nervosa, bird's-foot borer (Papaipema birdi), Depressaria cinereocostella, Black Swallowtail (Papilio polyxenes)
Reported Fauna Sightings
Bees: Red-belted bumble bee (Bombus rufocinctus) Butterflies:Black Swallowtail (Papilio polyxenes)
Garden & Ecology Notes
- Wildlife Value:
- butterflies, native bees, birds
Soil Requirements
- Soil Type:
- rich, moisture-retentive loamy soil
- pH:
- 5.5 - 7.5 (slightly acidic to neutral)
- Drainage:
- tolerates poor drainage
- Moisture:
- consistently moist
- Notes:
- commonly found in wetlands and marshes
Propagation & Germination
- Stratification:
- Cold/moist stratification required — 60–90 days
- Germination Time:
- 14–42 days
- Notes:
- Seeds require cold stratification and consistently moist conditions. Light may improve germination.
The above propagation data sourced from Claude AI