| Cicuta maculata | |
|---|---|
 | |
Scientific classification | |
| Kingdom: | Plantae |
| Clade: | Tracheophytes |
| Clade: | Angiosperms |
| Clade: | Eudicots |
| Clade: | Asterids |
| Order: | Apiales |
| Family: | Apiaceae |
| Genus: | Cicuta |
| Species: | C. maculata |
| Binomial name | |
| Cicuta maculata | |
| Synonyms[2] | |
Cicuta bolanderi | |
Cicuta maculata is a highly poisonous species of flowering plant in thecarrot family known by several common names, includingspotted water hemlock,spotted parsley, andspotted cowbane. It is native to nearly all of North America, from northern Canada to southern Mexico.
Cicuta maculata is arhizomatous perennial herb producing a hollow erect stem that can reach a height of 1.8 meters (6 feet).[3] The longleaves are made up of several lance-shaped, pointed, serrated leaflets. Each shiny green leaflet is 2 to 10 centimeters (1 to 4 inches) long and the entire leaf may be up to 40 cm (16 in) long. Theinflorescence of white flowers is similar in appearance to other species in the carrot family. It is a compoundumbel with many clusters of flowers. The dry tan-brown fruit is a few millimeters long.
The plant prefers wet habitats, such aswet meadows, roadside ditches, pond margins, open marshes, and freshwater swamps.[4][5][6] Flowering is from May to September.[6]
The poisonous plant is occasionally mistaken forparsnips, due to its clusters of whitetuberous roots.
.jpg)
.jpg)
.jpg)
The confusion with parsnips can be fatal asC. maculata is extremely poisonous. It is considered to be North America's most toxic native plant.[7][8][9]
Cicuta is fatal when swallowed, causing violent and painfulconvulsions. Though a number of people have died from water hemlock poisoning over the centuries,livestock have long been the worst affected (hence the name "cowbane"), with ingestion of the plant causing death in as little as 15 minutes.[10][11]
The chief poison iscicutoxin, an unsaturated aliphatic alcohol that is most concentrated in the roots. Upon human consumption,nausea,vomiting, and tremors occur within 30–60 minutes, followed by severecramps, projectile vomiting, and convulsions. Occasional long-term effects includeretrograde amnesia.[12] Ingestion of water hemlock in any quantity can result in death or permanent damage to thecentral nervous system.
While the species as a whole is not under threat of extinction according to theInternational Union for Conservation of Nature[1] andNatureServe,[13] the varietyC. maculata var.victorinii (Victorin's water-hemlock) is a listed Species of Concern under Schedule 1 of the CanadianSpecies at Risk Act.[14] According to a 2022 Committee on the Status of Endangered Wildlife in Canada (COSEWIC) report, Victorin's water-hemlock, the sole variety ofC. maculata that grows in parts oftidal marshes withbrackish exposure and regular tidal inundation,[15]: 7 will soon qualify for threatened status if threats are not addressed.[15] Victorin's water-hemlock isendemic to theSt. Lawrence River estuary, which is in Canada.[15]: 7
Cicuta maculata possesses an extensive number of commons names.
{{cite book}}: CS1 maint: publisher location (link)