Water Hemlock

(Cicuta maculata)

Other Names:
spotted water hemlock, spotted parsley, spotted cowbane, suicide root

Range:


Family:
Apiaceae - Parsley Family

Growth Type:
Perennial harbaceous

Height:
3 - 5 feet tall

Leaves:
The long leaves are made up of several lance-shaped, pointed, serrated leaflets. Each shiny green leaflet can be up to 4 inches long, and the entire leaf may be up to 16 inches long

Stem/Trunk:
Smooth, hollow, errect, stem. Mottled or spotted with purple or red, and covered in a white powdery bloom. All parts of the plant are hairless (glabrous)

Root:
Rhizome

Flower Season:
Summer

Flower Appearance:
The inflorescence of white flowers is similar in appearance to many other species in the carrot family. It is a compound umbel with many clusters of flowers.

Seed/Fruit:
The dry tan-brown fruit is a few millimeters long.

Habitat:
Prefers wet areas, ditches, along edges of marshes, ponds, and rivers.

No part of this plant should be picked for any reason. All parts are toxic. Ingesting any part of this plant will result in serious harm up to and including death.