Flower:

Stalked flowers in irregular flat clusters (umbels) 2 to 3 inches across, made up of 3 to 8 groups (umbellets) of 3 to 10 flowers each. Flowers are less than 1/8 inch across with 5 white petals that are usually curled up, and 5 stamens with creamy yellow tips. The flower stalks in an umbellet are varying lengths and there are no bracts at the base of an umbellet. A few clusters are at the top of the plant and at the end of branching stems in the upper plant.

Leaves and stem:

Leaves are compound in groups of 3. Leaflets near the base of the plant are largest, to 4 inches long and 2 inches wide on long stalks, the base of the stalk broadening to a light green sheath. Leaves become smaller and shorter stalked as they ascend the plant, with those near the flowers stalkless or nearly so. Leaflets are double toothed, with small teeth on the edges of larger teeth, have pointed tips, and taper abruptly at the base. The larger leaflets are often cleft or lobed in 2 or 3 parts. Stems are branched, light green and hairless.

Fruit:

Fruit is a 2-sectioned, ribbed seed, about ¼ inch long, pointed at the tip. It ripens from green to dark brown.

Notes:

There are some similar species in the carrot family that grow in the woods at about the same time. Aniseroot (Osmorhiza longistylis) and Sweet Cicely (Osmorhiza claytonii) both have larger flowers, distinct bracts at the base of an umbellet, hairy leaves and usually hairy stems. Honewort flowers typically stay curled up, has hairless double-toothed leaves, hairless stem, and no significant bracts at the base of an umbellet.