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Cicuta maculata L.

Water hemlock, spotted water hemlock, spotted parsley, common water-hemlock

KingdomPlantaePlants, but not fungi, lichens, or algae
SubkingdomTracheobiontaVascular plants—plants with a “circulatory system” for delivering water and nutrients
DivisionMagnoliophytaFlowering plants, also known as angiosperms
ClassMagnoliopsidaDicotyledons—plants with two initial seed leaves
SubclassAsteridaeA large class that encompasses asters
OrderApialesIncludes carrots, celery, parsley, and ivy
FamilyApiaceaeCarrot or parsley family, also includes angelica, anise, caraway, celery, chervil, cicely, coriander/cilantro, cumin, dill, fennel, hemlock, lovage, Queen Anne’s Lace, parsnip
GenusCicutaAn ancient Latin name of poison hemlock
SpeciesmaculataSpotted, referring to purple splotches on the stems of leaves or on petals

About plant names...

This extremely toxic perennial is native throughout North America.

Identification: Water hemlock, a member of the carrot family, is 3-6′ (91-182 cm) in height. Stems are spotted or striped with purple. Small white flowers about ⅛″ (3.2 mm) across occur in small separated groups, resembling little parasols. Each tiny flower has five petals and five stamens. The "parasols" are arranged into umbrella-shaped flowerheads. The separated parasols are probably the most obvious identifying feature of this plant.

Cicuta maculata (water hemlock, spotted water hemlock, spotted parsley, common water-hemlock)

Leaf veins intersect with the insides of the serrations instead of the tips.

 

Cicuta maculata (water hemlock, spotted water hemlock, spotted parsley, common water-hemlock)

6/3/2016 · Nashua River Rail Trail, East Pe

Cicuta maculata (water hemlock, spotted water hemlock, spotted parsley, common water-hemlock)

5/31/2010 · Mt. Lebanon St., Pepperell, Mass­a­chu­setts · ≈ 3½ × 2½″ (9.8 × 6.6 cm) ID is uncertain

Cicuta maculata (water hemlock, spotted water hemlock, spotted parsley, common water-hemlock)

9/13/2020 · Hidden Valley Nature Center, Jefferson, Maine · ≈ 6 × 4″ (15 × 10 cm)

Here is a comparison of some similar-appearing species:

  You are here
Cicuta maculata

Achillea millefolium

Heracleum maximum
Common Name

water hemlock

common yarrow

cow parsnip
Plant 3-6′ (91-182 cm) in height. Skull & Crossbones Extremely poisonous Up to 3' tall, with leaves so finely divided as to look featherlike, with "feathers" up to 9" long Up to 6½′ (2 m) in height. Poisonous Skull & Crossbones: causes phytophotodermatitis.
Flowers Small white flowers about ⅛″ (3.2 mm) across occur in small separated groups, resembling little parasols. Each flower has 5 petals and 5 stamens. The "parasols" are arranged into umbrella-shaped flowerheads. Densely packed clusters of tiny white flowers, flat-topped or umbrella-shaped. (Cultivars may be yellow, red, or many other colors.) Flowers have 4-6 petals; each petal has three lobes. Large white compound umbels about 8″ (20 cm) in size. Individual flowers have five petals of inconsistent size.
Leaves     Up to 1′ (40 cm) across, split into sharp lobes that vaguely resemble maple leaves, with a disagreeable odor.
Stem Stems are spotted or striped with purple.   Thick, grooved, hollow, hairy, and often reddish.
Fruit     Flat, green, egg- or heart-shaped, ⅜-½″ (9.5-12 mm) × ¼-⅜″ (6.3-9.5 mm).
Range/ Zones

Habitats   Meadows, fields, nearly anywhere there is full or partial sun Moist, shady mountain woodlands, streambeds
Type Wild Wild Wild
Occurrence   Common  

 

 
Daucus carota
Common Name

Queen Anne’s lace
Plant Grows to 3' in height. Plant smells like carrots.
Flowers Pale pink before opening. When open, forms an umbrella-shaped flower cluster up to 3" across, composed of tiny 5-petaled flowers.
Leaves Compound leaves are deeply divided and subdivided.
Stem Fine hairs on stems and leaves.
Range/ Zones

Type Wild
Occurrence Common

 

Edibility: Poisonous Skull & Crossbones The spotted water hemlock is North America's most toxic plant. All parts of this plant are poisonous to people, as well as to livestock. When swallowed, it produces death from violent and painful convulsions. Even very small quantities can cause death or permanent neurological damage.[1]

Online References:

Earl J.S. Rook's Flora, Fauna, Earth, and Sky ... The Natural History of the Northwoods

Plants.ces.ncsu.edu

Illinois Wildflowers

Wikipedia

Kansas Wildflowers and Grasses

Vascular Plants of the Gila Wilderness

The University of Florida IFAS Center for Aquatic and Invasive Plants

The Jepson Manual

Cicuta maculata (water hemlock, spotted water hemlock, spotted parsley, common water-hemlock)

9/13/2020 · Hidden Valley Nature Center, Jefferson, Maine · ≈ 8 × 5″ (20 × 13 cm)

Cicuta maculata (water hemlock, spotted water hemlock, spotted parsley, common water-hemlock)

6/3/2016 · Nashua River Rail Trail, East Pe

Cicuta maculata (water hemlock, spotted water hemlock, spotted parsley, common water-hemlock)

8/1/2009 · Falmouth, Maine · ≈ 11 × 7″ (28 × 18 cm)

Cicuta maculata (water hemlock, spotted water hemlock, spotted parsley, common water-hemlock)

8/22/2012 · Squannacook River Wildlife Area, Townsend, Mass­a­chu­setts · ≈ 8 × 5″ (19 × 13 cm)

Cicuta maculata (water hemlock, spotted water hemlock, spotted parsley, common water-hemlock)

8/1/2009 · Falmouth, Maine · ≈ 13 × 9″ (33 × 22 cm)

Cicuta maculata (water hemlock, spotted water hemlock, spotted parsley, common water-hemlock)

6/24/2015 · Nashua River Rail Trail, Groton Ctr, Groton, Mass­a­chu­setts · ≈ 8 × 5″ (19 × 12 cm)

Cicuta maculata (water hemlock, spotted water hemlock, spotted parsley, common water-hemlock)

6/11/2010 · Nashua River Rail Trail, Groton Center, Groton, Mass­a­chu­setts · ≈ 5 × 3″ (12 × 8.4 cm) ID is uncertain

Cicuta maculata (water hemlock, spotted water hemlock, spotted parsley, common water-hemlock)

6/3/2016 · Nashua River Rail Trail, East Pe

Cicuta maculata (water hemlock, spotted water hemlock, spotted parsley, common water-hemlock)

7/8/2015 · Nashua River Rail Trail, Groton Ctr, Groton, Mass­a­chu­setts · ≈ 8 × 5″ (19 × 13 cm)

Cicuta maculata (water hemlock, spotted water hemlock, spotted parsley, common water-hemlock)

7/8/2015 · Nashua River Rail Trail, Groton Ctr, Groton, Mass­a­chu­setts · ≈ 8 × 5″ (19 × 12 cm)

Cicuta maculata (water hemlock, spotted water hemlock, spotted parsley, common water-hemlock)

9/13/2020 · Hidden Valley Nature Center, Jefferson, Maine · ≈ 6 × 4″ (16 × 11 cm)

Cicuta maculata (water hemlock, spotted water hemlock, spotted parsley, common water-hemlock)

6/3/2016 · Nashua River Rail Trail, East Pe

Cicuta maculata (water hemlock, spotted water hemlock, spotted parsley, common water-hemlock)

7/8/2015 · Nashua River Rail Trail, Groton Ctr, Groton, Mass­a­chu­setts · ≈ 6 × 4″ (15 × 10 cm)

Cicuta maculata (water hemlock, spotted water hemlock, spotted parsley, common water-hemlock)

5/27/2010 · Nashua River Rail Trail, Groton, Mass­a­chu­setts · ≈ 12 × 8″ (31 × 20 cm) ID is uncertain

1From the Wikipedia article

 

Cicuta maculata description by Thomas H. Kent, last updated 5 Oct 2021.

© FloraFinder.org. All rights reserved.


 

Cicuta maculata (water hemlock, spotted water hemlock, spotted parsley, common water-hemlock)

5/27/2010 · Nashua River Rail Trail, Groton, Mass­a­chu­setts · ≈ 12 × 8″ (31 × 20 cm) ID is uncertain

Cicuta maculata (water hemlock, spotted water hemlock, spotted parsley, common water-hemlock)

7/8/2015 · Nashua River Rail Trail, Groton Ctr, Groton, Mass­a­chu­setts · ≈ 8 × 5″ (19 × 12 cm)

Cicuta maculata (water hemlock, spotted water hemlock, spotted parsley, common water-hemlock)

8/22/2012 · Squannacook River Wildlife Area, Townsend, Mass­a­chu­setts · ≈ 9 × 6″ (23 × 15 cm)

Cicuta maculata (water hemlock, spotted water hemlock, spotted parsley, common water-hemlock)

7/8/2015 · Nashua River Rail Trail, Groton Ctr, Groton, Mass­a­chu­setts · ≈ 6 × 4″ (15 × 10 cm)

Cicuta maculata (water hemlock, spotted water hemlock, spotted parsley, common water-hemlock)

6/24/2015 · Nashua River Rail Trail, Groton Ctr, Groton, Mass­a­chu­setts · ≈ 8 × 5″ (19 × 13 cm)

Cicuta maculata (water hemlock, spotted water hemlock, spotted parsley, common water-hemlock)

9/13/2020 · Hidden Valley Nature Center, Jefferson, Maine · ≈ 7 × 4½″ (18 × 12 cm)

Cicuta maculata (water hemlock, spotted water hemlock, spotted parsley, common water-hemlock)

5/31/2010 · Mt. Lebanon St., Pepperell, Mass­a­chu­setts · ≈ 7 × 4½″ (17 × 11 cm) ID is uncertain

Cicuta maculata (water hemlock, spotted water hemlock, spotted parsley, common water-hemlock)

6/24/2015 · Nashua River Rail Trail, Groton Ctr, Groton, Mass­a­chu­setts · ≈ 5 × 8″ (12 × 19 cm)

Cicuta maculata (water hemlock, spotted water hemlock, spotted parsley, common water-hemlock)

6/11/2010 · Nashua River Rail Trail, Groton Center, Groton, Mass­a­chu­setts ID is uncertain

Cicuta maculata (water hemlock, spotted water hemlock, spotted parsley, common water-hemlock)

8/22/2012 · Squannacook River Wildlife Area, Townsend, Mass­a­chu­setts · ≈ 6 × 4″ (15 × 10 cm)

Cicuta maculata (water hemlock, spotted water hemlock, spotted parsley, common water-hemlock)

7/29/2023 · By Jacquelyn Boyt

Cicuta maculata (water hemlock, spotted water hemlock, spotted parsley, common water-hemlock)

6/24/2015 · Nashua River Rail Trail, Groton Ctr, Groton, Mass­a­chu­setts · ≈ 6 × 9″ (15 × 22 cm)

Cicuta maculata (water hemlock, spotted water hemlock, spotted parsley, common water-hemlock)

8/22/2012 · Squannacook River Wildlife Area, Townsend, Mass­a­chu­setts · ≈ 9 × 6″ (22 × 14 cm)

Range:

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