Cicuta maculata
water hemlock
Overview
Cicuta maculata is a herbaceous perennial in the carrot family, growing 3-6 feet (0.9-1.8 m) tall and 1-2 feet (30-60 cm) wide from a cluster of thickened, chambered roots. Hollow, branching stems are streaked or mottled with purple. Leaves are two or three times pinnately divided into narrow, sharply toothed leaflets 1-4 inches (2.5-10 cm) long, with lateral veins ending in the notches between the teeth rather than at the tips. Small white flowers form rounded compound umbels 2-5 inches (5-13 cm) across from early to late summer. All parts contain cicutoxin, concentrated in the roots, and ingestion of small amounts causes seizures and can be fatal to people and livestock. The plant grows in wet ground along marshes, ditches, streambanks, and wet meadows, where it is sometimes confused with edible relatives. It spreads by seed and persists as a clumping perennial. Because it occupies saturated soils, it has limited use outside wetland restoration. The chambered rootstock releases a yellowish oily liquid when cut, a trait that separates it from harmless look-alikes.
Native Range
Native across North America, from Alaska and Canada south through most of the United States into Mexico. It grows in marshes, wet meadows, ditches, and along streams and pond margins.Suggested Uses
Used in wetland and streambank restoration and in native wet meadow plantings. The summer flowers attract a range of small bees, flies, and beetles.How to Identify
Appearance
Size & Dimensions
Height3' - 6'
Width/Spread1' - 2'
Bloom Information
White flowers open from June to September in rounded compound umbels, each carrying many small five-petaled flowers. Dry, ribbed fruits about 0.1 inch (2-4 mm) long follow in late summer and split into two halves.
Detailed Descriptions
Foliage Description
greenGrowing Conditions
Sun Requirements
Requires 4-8 hours of direct sunlight daily
• Full Sun: 6+ hours of direct sunlight
• Partial Shade: 3-6 hours of direct sunlight
• Full Shade: Less than 3 hours of direct sunlight