Rare Wetland Plant Seoul Water Parsley Reappears After 44 Years

A rare wetland plant that disappeared for 44 years has returned to view in Seoul. Seoul water parsley, named for leaves that resemble a dog’s paw, has been selected as South Korea’s endangered wildlife species of the month for September.

The plant was last collected in a wetland in Seoul’s Guro District in 1967 and was later considered extinct in South Korea. The National Institute of Biological Resources rediscovered it in a back wetland in Yangsan, South Gyeongsang Province, in 2011.

Seoul water parsley is a perennial herb that grows about 80 to 180 centimeters tall. It has a straight, hollow stem, a thick white root and finely divided leaves with smooth edges. Small white flowers grow in rounded clusters. The plant produces small oval fruits measuring about 3.5 to 4 millimeters.

It grows in sunny wetlands along streams. Its stems and leaves develop from spring, the plant reaches its full size in summer, flowers from July through September and produces fruit from September through November. The species was first identified in Seoul. Its root resembles that of potato water parsley, while its first leaves resemble a dog’s paw.

Historical records place the plant in Seoul, South Jeolla Province and South Gyeongsang Province, but officials have confirmed current habitat only in parts of South Gyeongsang. It also grows in China and Japan. River development and habitat damage threaten the plant, while reeds and other surrounding vegetation can block sunlight and reduce available growing space.

The National Institute of Ecology’s Endangered Species Restoration Center propagated 100 plants from seeds collected at Wondong Wetland in Yangsan in May 2024 and transplanted them to Seoul Botanic Park. Unauthorized collection, damage or killing of a Class II endangered wildlife species can bring up to three years in prison or a fine of 3 million to 30 million won.