Cicuta maculata L.

Spotted Water Hemlock; Spotted Cowbane

Herb

Perennial

Vascular

Spotted Water Hemlock is a native herbaceous perennial in the Carrot family (Apiaceae). It occurs throughout Alabama. Spotted Water Hemlock grows along streams and rivers, on the margins of ponds and lakes, in swamps and marshes, and in wet roadside ditches. It is a perennial from a cluster of thick, tuber-like roots. Stems are erect, 4-7 feet tall, hollow, glabrous, and sometimes glaucous. The stem is green in color and often mottled with purple near the base and at the base of leaves. It has prominent longitudinal ribs. Leaves are basal and cauline. The cauline leaves are alternate. Leaves are petiolate, 1-3 times pinnately compound, and glabrous. Leaflets are lanceolate to lance-oblong in outline, serrate, with the lateral veins extending toward the sinuses between the teeth. Flower are produced in axillary and terminal compound umbels of 10-20 umbellets. Individual umbellets have 12-15 flowers, each with 5 white petals. The fruit is an ovate, flattened, ribbed mericarp. Spotted Water hemlock is one of the most toxic plants known to mankind. All parts of the plant are extremely toxic if consumed, and can result in death within as little as 15 minutes. It is considered to be North America's most toxic plant. Spotted Water Hemlock is a larval food for the Black Swallowtail Butterfly (Papilio polyxenes).—A. Diamond

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Native OBL (NWPL)

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