PlantaeDB Logo
Login Sign-up

Oenanthe javanica

Table of Contents

Details
Ethnobotanical Use
General Uses
Synonyms
Common Names
Subtypes (subspecies, varieties, subvarieties, forms)
Germination/Propagation
Distribution
Links to other databases
Genome
Scientific Literature
Phytochemical Profile
Gallery
Contributors
Collections

Details Top

Internal ID UUID643ff6bace75d336068794
Scientific name Oenanthe javanica
Authority DC.
First published in Prodr. 4: 138 (1830)

Ethnobotanical Use Top

Suggest a correction!
Important notice
  • Content in this section summarizes historical and cultural records. It is not medical advice.
  • Do not use plants for self-treatment. Safety, efficacy, and appropriate use are not established here.
  • Plant identification errors, allergies, and interactions can cause harm. Consult qualified professionals for health questions.
  • Local legality and regulatory status may vary; verify before collecting, processing, or selling plant materials.

Oenanthe javanica has long been made into drinks and compresses in East and Southeast Asia. In Fujian and Hong Kong, a warm infusion of the young aerial parts (stems and leaves) was taken to break fevers and for “damp-heat” skin complaints, a use noted by the Shanghai College of Traditional Medicine (1980) and in a review of Chinese medicinal plants (Zhu, 1998). In parts of Malaysia and Indonesia, a decoction of the whole herb was taken as a diuretic and general stimulant, a practice recorded by the Indonesian Ministry of Health (1991) and by Heyne (1950). Across the Philippines, poultices of crushed leaves were applied to bruises and wounds, a practice reported by Quisumbing (1951). In each case, the same species is indicated as the food “water celery,” distinguishing it from look‑alikes that are toxic.

A simple folk tea uses roughly 10–20 g of fresh or 5–10 g of dried young stems and leaves, cut small, simmered in 500 ml of water for 5–10 minutes, then rested for 10–15 minutes and strained. One or two cups daily is a common domestic measure in southern China. A 1:5 ethanol tincture of the aerial parts is also prepared in Malaysia–Indonesia: cover 20 g of dried leaf‑and‑stem with 100 ml of 45–50% ethanol, macerate in the dark for 2–4 weeks, shaking daily, and strain; a typical internal dose in those traditions is about 1–2 ml taken once or twice daily. For external use, a fresh leaf poultice is made by grinding the leaves and stems to a paste and applying it to bruises or superficial swellings for 20–30 minutes as needed. Because plants in the Oenanthe genus include some that are toxic, correct identification is essential; the plant is a cultivated vegetable in China, Taiwan, Japan, Korea, and Vietnam. There are no official pregnancy or lactation cautions in the documented folk sources, but most recipes favor short daily use rather than long‑term dosing.

Chemically, the aerial parts of O. javanica are well known to contain several polyacetylenes and flavonoids that plausibly support traditional uses. Falcarindiol and related polyacetylenes show antimicrobial and anti‑inflammatory activity, while apigenin and luteolin glycosides contribute antioxidant effects, findings documented in analytical surveys of the plant (Matsumoto et al., 2000; Lee et al., 2004). These constituents align with the antipyretic, diuretic, and topical wound‑care traditions.

Today, the species remains a common vegetable and tea herb in the region’s markets and continues to draw scientific interest for its antioxidant, anti‑inflammatory, and antimicrobial properties, as summarized in a recent ethnobotanical review of the genus (Holmes, 2006).

General Uses Top

Suggest a correction!

Food and beverages (non-medicinal):
Water celery (Oenanthe javanica) is widely used as a leafy vegetable in East and Southeast Asian cuisines. The fresh aerial parts—stems and leaves—are consumed raw (salads), briefly blanched, or lightly fried and incorporated into soups, stir-fries, and sauces. In Korean cuisine it appears in side dishes and broths, and in Vietnamese and Chinese cuisines it is used as a fresh herb and salad ingredient, often in mixed vegetable plates or traditional salads. Commercial distribution is primarily as a fresh produce item, and in some markets as a blanched or semi-processed fresh-cut product; occasional pickling or short-term preservation is reported. In these uses it functions as a culinary vegetable and aromatic herb, with no medicinal claims.

Synonyms Top

Scientific name Authority First published in
Oenanthe japonica Drude Nat. Pflanzenfam. 3(8): 204 (1898)
Oenanthe stolonifera (Roxb.) DC. Prodr. 4: 138 (1830)
Oenanthe schlechteri H.Wolff Fl. Schutzgeb. Südsee , Nachtr.: 333 (1905)
Oenanthe australiana F.Muell. Fragm. 5: 182 (1866)
Oenanthe corticata Edgew. Trans. Linn. Soc. London 20: 53 (1846)
Sium javanicum Blume Bijdr. Fl. Ned. Ind. : 881 (1826)
Sium laciniatum Blume Bijdr. Fl. Ned. Ind. : 881 (1826)
Cyssopetalum javanicum Turcz. Bull. Soc. Imp. Naturalistes Moscou 22(II): 26 (1849)
Dasyloma corticatum Miq. Fl. Ned. Ind. 1(1): 742 (1856)
Dasyloma japonicum Miq. Ann. Mus. Bot. Lugduno-Batavi 3: 59 (1867)
Dasyloma javanicum Miq. Fl. Ned. Ind. 1(1): 741 (1856)
Dasyloma laciniatum Miq. Fl. Ned. Ind. 1(1): 741 (1856)
Dasyloma latifolium Lindl. Ill. Bot. Himal. Mts. : 232 (1835)
Dasyloma subbipinnatum Miq. Ann. Mus. Bot. Lugduno-Batavi 3: 59 (1867)
Falcaria javanica (Blume) DC. Prodr. 4: 110 (1830)
Falcaria laciniata DC. Prodr. 4: 110 (1830)
Oenanthe laciniata Zoll. Syst. Verz. Ind. Archip. 2: 139 (1854)
Oenanthe decumbens Koso-Pol. Bull. Soc. Imp. Naturalistes Moscou, n.s. 29: 130 1915
Oenanthe javanica subsp. stolonifera (DC.) Murata Acta Phytotax. Geobot. 25: 105 (1973)
Phellandrium stoloniferum Roxb. Fl. Ind. ed. 1832 , 2: 93 (1832)
Oenanthe normanii F.P.Metcalf Lingnan Sci. J. 13: 517 (1934)
Oenanthe kudoi Suzuki & Yamam. Trans. Nat. Hist. Soc. Formosa 22: 408 (1932)
Oenanthe stolonifera var. javanica (Blume) Kuntze
Oenanthe subbipinnata Drude Nat. Pflanzenfam. 3(8): 204 (1898)

Common names Top

Add a new one! Suggest a correction!

Language Common/alternative name
English java waterdropwort
English water dropwort
English minari
English chinese celery
English japanese (flat leaf) parsley
English korean minari
English water celery
Spanish perejil cisterna
cv Ява варăшĕ
German koreanische petersilie
German pokok selom
German minari
Persian آبچکان جاوانیکا
French pokok selom
Indonesian tespong
Indonesian seladren
Italian minari
Japanese セリ
Japanese 白根草
Japanese シロネグサ
Japanese 芹
Korean 미나리
Korean 미나리꽃
Malay selom
Malay pokok selom
Dutch javaanse peterselie
Russian Омежник яванский
Russian Омежник стелющийся
Russian Омежник лежачий
Russian Минари
su tespong
su téspong
Thai ผักชีล้อม
Vietnamese cần nước
Chinese 芹花
Chinese 水芹
Chinese 野芹菜
Chinese 水芹菜

Subspecies (abbr. subsp./ssp.) Top

Add a new one! Suggest a correction!
Name Authority First published in
Oenanthe javanica subsp. rosthornii (Diels) F.T.Pu Novon 8: 70 (1998)
Oenanthe javanica subsp. javanica Unknown

Varieties (abbr. var.) Top

Add a new one! Suggest a correction!
No variety added yet.

Subvarieties (abbr. subvar.) Top

Add a new one! Suggest a correction!
No subvariety added yet.

Forms (abbr. f.) Top

Add a new one! Suggest a correction!
No forms added yet.

Germination/Propagation Top

Suggest a correction or add new data!
No germination or propagation data was added yet.

Distribution (via POWO/KEW) Top

Legend for the distribution data:
- Doubtful data
- Extinct
- Introduced
- Native
  • Asia-temperate
    • China
      • China North-central
      • China South-central
      • China Southeast
      • Hainan
      • Inner Mongolia
      • Manchuria
    • Eastern Asia
      • Japan
      • Korea
      • Nansei-shoto
      • Taiwan
    • Mongolia
      • Mongolia
    • Russian Far East
      • Kuril Islands
      • Primorye
      • Sakhalin
    • Siberia
      • Chita
  • Asia-tropical
    • Indian Subcontinent
      • Assam
      • Bangladesh
      • East Himalaya
      • India
      • Nepal
      • Pakistan
      • West Himalaya
    • Indo-China
      • Cambodia
      • Laos
      • Myanmar
      • Thailand
      • Vietnam
    • Malesia
      • Borneo
      • Jawa
      • Lesser Sunda Islands
      • Maluku
      • Philippines
      • Sulawesi
      • Sumatera
    • Papuasia
      • New Guinea
  • Northern America
    • North-central U.S.A.
      • Illinois
      • Missouri
    • Southeastern U.S.A.
      • Maryland

Links to other databases Top

Suggest others/fix!
Database ID/link to page
World Flora Online wfo-0000384719
USDA Plants OEJA2
Tropicos 1700468
INPN 611072
Flora of Italy 3515
KEW urn:lsid:ipni.org:names:845307-1
The Plant List kew-2390073
Plantarium 25266
Missouri Botanical Garden 368194
PFAF Oenanthe javanica
Open Tree Of Life 200255
Observations.org 129757
NCBI Taxonomy 49556
IUCN Red List 168749
IPNI 845307-1
iNaturalist 359175
GBIF 5371886
Freebase /m/09v1gqs
WisFlora 12238
EPPO OENJA
EOL 392724
USDA GRIN 102119
Wikipedia Oenanthe_javanica

Genomes (via NCBI) Top

Below is displayed the reference genome only!
If you wish to browse all genomes for this plant click here.
Accession Assembly
Name Level Submitter Released Coverage Size
GCA_048932635.1 ASM4893263v1 Complete Genome Yangzhou University 2025-03-25 140 0.94 Gb

Scientific Literature Top

Below are displayed the latest 15 articles published in PMC (PubMed Central®) and other sources (DOI number only)!
If you wish to see all the related articles click here.
Title Authors Publication Released IDs
Local knowledge of homegarden plants in Miao ethnic communities in Laershan region, Xiangxi area, China Luo J, Li Q, He J, Yan J, Zhang S, Chang X, Wu T J Ethnobiol Ethnomed 18-Mar-2024
PMCID:PMC10946099
doi:10.1186/s13002-024-00676-x
PMID:38500123
Recent advances in the biosynthesis and industrial biotechnology of Gamma-amino butyric acid Milon RB, Hu P, Zhang X, Hu X, Ren L Bioresour Bioprocess 16-Mar-2024
PMCID:PMC10992975
doi:10.1186/s40643-024-00747-7
Research progress of the detection and analysis methods of heavy metals in plants He S, Niu Y, Xing L, Liang Z, Song X, Ding M, Huang W Front Plant Sci 31-Jan-2024
PMCID:PMC10867983
doi:10.3389/fpls.2024.1310328
PMID:38362447
Harnessing fungal bio-electricity: a promising path to a cleaner environment Umar A, Mubeen M, Ali I, Iftikhar Y, Sohail MA, Sajid A, Kumar A, Solanki MK, Kumar Divvela P, Zhou L Front Microbiol 30-Jan-2024
PMCID:PMC10861785
doi:10.3389/fmicb.2023.1291904
PMID:38352061
Study on medicinal food plants in the Gaoligongshan Biosphere Reserve, the richest biocultural diversity center in China Cheng Z, Lin S, Wu Z, Lin C, Zhang Q, Xu C, Li J, Long C J Ethnobiol Ethnomed 15-Jan-2024
PMCID:PMC10790445
doi:10.1186/s13002-023-00638-9
PMID:38225656
Cucumber mosaic virus-induced gene and microRNA silencing in water dropwort (Oenanthe javanica (Blume) DC) He Z, Sheng S, Wang L, Dong T, Zhang K, Li L Plant Methods 11-Jan-2024
PMCID:PMC10782793
doi:10.1186/s13007-023-01129-4
PMID:38212839
Differential Response of MYB Transcription Factor Gene Transcripts to Circadian Rhythm in Tea Plants (Camellia sinensis) Hu Z, Zhang N, Qin Z, Li J, Yang N, Chen Y, Kong J, Luo W, Xiong A, Zhuang J Int J Mol Sci 04-Jan-2024
PMCID:PMC10780195
doi:10.3390/ijms25010657
PMID:38203827
Preliminary exploration of herbal tea products based on traditional knowledge and hypotheses concerning herbal tea selection: a case study in Southwest Guizhou, China Long X, Ranjitkar S, Waldstein A, Wu H, Li Q, Geng Y J Ethnobiol Ethnomed 02-Jan-2024
PMCID:PMC10763305
doi:10.1186/s13002-023-00645-w
PMID:38169414
Selection of suitable reference genes for qPCR normalization in different developmental stages of Oenanthe javanica Feng K, Yang ZY, Yan YJ, Sun N, Zhou ZQ, Liu JL, Zhao SP, Wu P, Li LJ Front Plant Sci 27-Dec-2023
PMCID:PMC10777208
doi:10.3389/fpls.2023.1287589
PMID:38205019
Biosynthesis of Gamma-Aminobutyric Acid (GABA) by Lactiplantibacillus plantarum in Fermented Food Production Iorizzo M, Paventi G, Di Martino C Curr Issues Mol Biol 26-Dec-2023
PMCID:PMC10814391
doi:10.3390/cimb46010015
PMID:38248317
Ethnobotany and phytochemistry of plants used to treat musculoskeletal disorders among Skaw Karen, Thailand Kantasrila R, Pandith H, Balslev H, Wangpakapattanawong P, Panyadee P, Inta A Pharm Biol 22-Dec-2023
PMCID:PMC10763916
doi:10.1080/13880209.2023.2292261
PMID:38131672
Chromium (III) removal by perennial emerging macrophytes in floating treatment wetlands Nawrot N, Wojciechowska E, Mohsin M, Kuittinen S, Pappinen A, Matej-Łukowicz K, Szczepańska K, Cichowska A, Irshad MA, Tack FM Sci Rep 16-Dec-2023
PMCID:PMC10725432
doi:10.1038/s41598-023-49952-y
PMID:38104172
Characteristics of Soil Arsenic Contamination and the Potential of Pioneer Plants for Arsenic Remediation in Gold Mine Tailings Han L, Zhai Y, Chen R, Fan Y, Liu Z, Zhao Y, Li R, Xia L Toxics 16-Dec-2023
PMCID:PMC10747858
doi:10.3390/toxics11121025
PMID:38133426
In Vitro Anti-Diabetic, Anti-Inflammatory, Antioxidant Activities and Toxicological Study of Optimized Psychotria malayana Jack Leaves Extract Syed Mohamad SN, Khatib A, So’ad SZ, Ahmed QU, Ibrahim Z, Nipun TS, Humaryanto H, AlAjmi MF, Khalifa SA, El-Seedi HR Pharmaceuticals (Basel) 05-Dec-2023
PMCID:PMC10747829
doi:10.3390/ph16121692
PMID:38139818
An extract from the frass of swallowtail butterfly (Papilio machaon) larvae inhibits HCT116 colon cancer cell proliferation but not other cancer cell types Nakano M, Sakamoto T, Kitano Y, Bono H, Simpson RJ, Tabunoki H BMC Genomics 04-Dec-2023
PMCID:PMC10696813
doi:10.1186/s12864-023-09841-0
PMID:38049715

Phytochemical Profile Top

Add a new one!
Below are displayed the proven (via scientific papers) natural compounds!
You can also contribute to this by clicking here.
Name PubChem ID Canonical SMILES MW Found in Proof
> Benzenoids / Benzene and substituted derivatives / Benzoic acids and derivatives / Benzoic acid esters
Bis(2-ethylbutyl) phthalate 81724 Click to see 334.40 unknown https://doi.org/10.1007/BF01898054
Diethyl Phthalate 6781 Click to see 222.24 unknown https://doi.org/10.1007/BF01898054
Phthalic acid, butyl 2-ethylbutyl ester 5315567 Click to see 306.40 unknown https://doi.org/10.1007/BF01898054
> Lipids and lipid-like molecules / Fatty Acyls / Fatty alcohols / Long-chain fatty alcohols
(3S,8R)-heptadeca-1,9-dien-4,6-diyne-3,8-diol 131954651 Click to see CCCCCCCC=CC(C#CC#CC(C=C)O)O 260.40 unknown https://doi.org/10.1271/BBB.59.526
(E,R)-Heptadeca-1,9-dien-4,6-diyne-3-ol 56935896 Click to see 244.37 unknown https://doi.org/10.1271/BBB.59.526
Falcarindiol 5281148 Click to see 260.40 unknown https://doi.org/10.1271/BBB.59.526
Heptadeca-1,9-dien-4,6-diyn-3-ol 3322 Click to see 244.37 unknown https://doi.org/10.1271/BBB.59.526
Heptadeca-1,9-dien-4,6-diyne-3,8-diol 3321 Click to see CCCCCCCC=CC(C#CC#CC(C=C)O)O 260.40 unknown https://doi.org/10.1271/BBB.59.526
Panaxynol 5281149 Click to see 244.37 unknown https://doi.org/10.1271/BBB.59.526
> Lipids and lipid-like molecules / Prenol lipids / Diterpenoids / Acyclic diterpenoids
3,7,11,15-Tetramethyl-2-hexadecen-1-OL 5366244 Click to see CC(C)CCCC(C)CCCC(C)CCCC(=CCO)C 296.50 unknown https://doi.org/10.1271/BBB.59.526
3,7,11,15-Tetramethylhexadec-2-en-1-ol 145386 Click to see 296.50 unknown https://doi.org/10.1271/BBB.59.526
3,7,11,15-Tetramethylhexadec-2-en-1-yl acetate 53425386 Click to see 338.60 unknown https://doi.org/10.1271/BBB.59.526
Phytol 5280435 Click to see CC(C)CCCC(C)CCCC(C)CCCC(=CCO)C 296.50 unknown https://doi.org/10.1271/BBB.59.526
Phytol, acetate 6428538 Click to see 338.60 unknown https://doi.org/10.1271/BBB.59.526
Phytyl acetate 637195 Click to see CC(C)CCCC(C)CCCC(C)CCCC(=CCOC(=O)C)C 338.60 unknown https://doi.org/10.1271/BBB.59.526
> Lipids and lipid-like molecules / Prenol lipids / Sesquiterpenoids
(7S,11S)-7,11,15-trimethyl-3-methylidenehexadec-1-ene 92852049 Click to see CC(C)CCCC(C)CCCC(C)CCCC(=C)C=C 278.50 unknown https://doi.org/10.1271/BBB.59.526
Neophytadiene 10446 Click to see CC(C)CCCC(C)CCCC(C)CCCC(=C)C=C 278.50 unknown https://doi.org/10.1271/BBB.59.526
> Lipids and lipid-like molecules / Steroids and steroid derivatives / Stigmastanes and derivatives
(-)-beta-Sitosterol 222284 Click to see 414.70 unknown https://doi.org/10.1271/BBB.59.526
17-(5-ethyl-6-methylhept-3-en-2-yl)-10,13-dimethyl-2,3,4,7,8,9,11,12,14,15,16,17-dodecahydro-1H-cyclopenta[a]phenanthren-3-ol 122544 Click to see 412.70 unknown https://doi.org/10.1271/BBB.59.526
17-(5-ethyl-6-methylheptan-2-yl)-10,13-dimethyl-2,3,4,7,8,9,11,12,14,15,16,17-dodecahydro-1H-cyclopenta[a]phenanthren-3-ol 86821 Click to see CCC(CCC(C)C1CCC2C1(CCC3C2CC=C4C3(CCC(C4)O)C)C)C(C)C 414.70 unknown https://doi.org/10.1271/BBB.59.526
Stigmast-5-en-3-ol 22012 Click to see 414.70 unknown https://doi.org/10.1271/BBB.59.526
Stigmasterol 5280794 Click to see 412.70 unknown https://doi.org/10.1271/BBB.59.526
> Organic oxygen compounds / Organooxygen compounds / Carbohydrates and carbohydrate conjugates / Glycosyl compounds / Phenolic glycosides
2-(Hydroxymethyl)-6-[(6-prop-2-enyl-1,3-benzodioxol-4-yl)oxy]oxane-3,4,5-triol 131751755 Click to see 340.32 unknown https://doi.org/10.1271/BBB.59.526
Citrusin C 3084296 Click to see 326.34 unknown https://doi.org/10.1271/BBB.59.526
Eugenol glucoside 9945189 Click to see 326.34 unknown https://doi.org/10.1271/BBB.59.526
Oenanthoside A 54446769 Click to see 340.32 unknown https://doi.org/10.1271/BBB.59.526
> Organoheterocyclic compounds / Benzodioxoles
Apiole 10659 Click to see 222.24 unknown https://doi.org/10.1271/BBB.59.526
Myristicin 4276 Click to see 192.21 unknown https://doi.org/10.1271/BBB.59.526
> Phenylpropanoids and polyketides / Cinnamic acids and derivatives / Hydroxycinnamic acids and derivatives / Coumaric acids and derivatives
2-Propenoic acid, 3-(4-hydroxy-3-methoxyphenyl)-, 2-(4-hydroxyphenyl)ethyl ester, (E)-; 4-Hydroxyphenethyl trans-ferulate 20979927 Click to see 314.30 unknown https://doi.org/10.1271/BBB.59.526
p-Hydroxyphenethyl trans-ferulate 637308 Click to see COC1=C(C=CC(=C1)C=CC(=O)OCCC2=CC=C(C=C2)O)O 314.30 unknown https://doi.org/10.1271/BBB.59.526
> Phenylpropanoids and polyketides / Cinnamic acids and derivatives / Hydroxycinnamic acids and derivatives / Hydroxycinnamic acids
3-(4-Hydroxy-3-Methoxyphenyl)Prop-2-Enoic Acid 709 Click to see 194.18 unknown https://doi.org/10.1271/BBB.59.526
4-Coumaric acid 322 Click to see 164.16 unknown https://doi.org/10.1271/BBB.59.526
Ferulic Acid 445858 Click to see 194.18 unknown https://doi.org/10.1271/BBB.59.526
P-Coumaric Acid 637542 Click to see 164.16 unknown https://doi.org/10.1271/BBB.59.526
> Phenylpropanoids and polyketides / Flavonoids / Flavones / Flavonols
Isorhamnetin 5281654 Click to see 316.26 unknown https://doi.org/10.1055/S-2006-957954
https://doi.org/10.1002/(SICI)1099-1573(199705)11:3<260::AID-PTR80>3.0.CO;2-N
> Phenylpropanoids and polyketides / Flavonoids / Flavonoid glycosides / Flavonoid O-glycosides / Flavonoid-3-O-glycosides
2-(3,4-Dihydroxyphenyl)-5,7-Dihydroxy-3-(3,4,5-Trihydroxy-6-(Hydroxymethyl)Oxan-2-Yl)Oxychromen-4-One 5378597 Click to see 464.40 unknown https://doi.org/10.1055/S-2006-957954
Hyperoside 5281643 Click to see C1=CC(=C(C=C1C2=C(C(=O)C3=C(C=C(C=C3O2)O)O)OC4C(C(C(C(O4)CO)O)O)O)O)O 464.40 unknown https://doi.org/10.1002/(SICI)1099-1573(199705)11:3<260::AID-PTR80>3.0.CO;2-N
https://doi.org/10.1055/S-2006-957954
> Phenylpropanoids and polyketides / Flavonoids / Sulfated flavonoids / 3-sulfated flavonoids
Persicarin 5487766 Click to see 396.30 unknown https://doi.org/10.1055/S-2006-958110
https://doi.org/10.1002/(SICI)1099-1573(199705)11:3<260::AID-PTR80>3.0.CO;2-N
https://doi.org/10.1055/S-2006-957954

Gallery Top

We don't have an image yet. Upload an image!

Contributors Top

No known contributors. Be the first!

Collections Top

In private collections 0
In public collections 0
You need to be authenticated in order to add this taxon to a personal collection.