Cicuta, commonly known as water hemlock, is a genus of four species of highly poisonous plants in the family Apiaceae. They are perennial herbaceous plants which grow up to 2.5 meters (8 ft) tall, having distinctive small green or white flowers arranged in an umbrella shape ( umbel ).

Cicuta virosa, the cowbane or northern water hemlock, [2] is a poisonous species of Cicuta, native to northern and central Europe, northern Asia and northwestern North America.

Its relative, water hemlock (Cicuta maculata or Cicuta douglasii) does not occur in southern Europe but could have been pressed into duty. Ethnobotanist H.D. Harrington once wrote that Water hemlock “has gained the reputation as being the most poisonous plant in the North Temperate Zone.”

Cicuta maculata is a highly poisonous species of flowering plant in the carrot family known by several common names, including spotted water hemlock, spotted parsley, and spotted cowbane. It is native to nearly all of North America, from northern Canada to southern Mexico.

water hemlock, (genus Cicuta), genus of four species of poisonous plants in the parsley family , common throughout the north temperate zone. Water hemlocks typically grow in wet, marshy places and are often confused with nonpoisonous members of …

Water hemlock (Cicuta douglasii) Water hemlock is the most violently toxic plant that grows in North America. Only a small amount of the toxic substance in the plant is needed to produce poisoning in livestock or in humans.

"Water hemlock 'Cicuta L.' may be a native plant but there is no reason why you have to allow it to thrive in your landscape. I, personally, would take Water Hemlock out of my landscape due to its toxicity to so many animals as well as humans."

Cicuta Species: maculata Family: Apiaceae Uses (Ethnobotany): Naturalized areas Life Cycle: Biennial Perennial Recommended Propagation Strategy: Seed Country Or Region Of Origin: North America Wildlife Value: The nectar from the flowers attracts a variety of bees, wasps, flies, moths, butterflies, and a variety of other insects that have short ...