Native Plants
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Cicuta maculata
Cicuta maculata L.
Spotted Water Hemlock, Water-hemlock, Beaver Poison
Apiaceae (Carrot Family)
Synonym(s):
USDA Symbol: CIMA2
USDA Native Status: L48 (N), AK (N), CAN (N)
Smooth, erect, highly branched plant bearing dome- shaped, loose clusters of small white flowers. The sturdy stem is magenta-streaked.
The plant is not related to true Hemlock (Tsuga spp.), but to Poison Hemlock (Conium maculatum), the plant used to poison Socrates.
Bloom Information
Bloom Color: WhiteBloom Time: Jun , Jul , Aug , Sep
Distribution
USA: AK , AL , AR , AZ , CA , CO , CT , DC , DE , FL , GA , IA , ID , IL , IN , KS , KY , LA , MA , MD , ME , MI , MN , MO , MS , MT , NC , ND , NE , NH , NJ , NM , NV , NY , OH , OK , OR , PA , RI , SC , SD , TN , TX , UT , VA , VT , WA , WI , WV , WYCanada: NB , NS , ON , PE
Native Distribution: Southern Ontario to Nova Scotia; south through New England to Florida; west to Texas; north through Missouri to Canada.
Native Habitat: Wet meadows, thickets, freshwater swamps.
Growing Conditions
Soil Moisture: WetBenefit
Warning: POISONOUS PARTS: All parts; roots may be mistaken for wild parsnip or artichoke. Highly Toxic! May be Fatal if Eaten! Symptoms include muscle spasms, dilated pupils, dizziness, diarrhea, stomach pain, convulsions. Toxic Principle: Cicutoxin and cicutol. (Poisonous Plants of N.C.)Conspicuous Flowers: yes
Poisonous: yes
Value to Beneficial Insects
Supports Conservation Biological ControlThis information was provided by the Pollinator Program at The Xerces Society for Invertebrate Conservation.
National Wetland Indicator Status
Region: | AGCP | AK | AW | CB | EMP | GP | HI | MW | NCNE | WMVE |
Status: | OBL | OBL | OBL | OBL | OBL | OBL | OBL | OBL |
From the National Organizations Directory
According to the species list provided by Affiliate Organizations, this plant is on display at the following locations:Pineywoods Native Plant Center - Nacogdoches, TX
Nueces River Authority - Uvalde, TX
Bibliography
Bibref 286 - Wildflowers of the Texas Hill Country (1989) Enquist, M.Search More Titles in Bibliography
Additional resources
USDA: Find Cicuta maculata in USDA PlantsFNA: Find Cicuta maculata in the Flora of North America (if available)
Google: Search Google for Cicuta maculata
Metadata
Record Modified: 2021-07-01Research By: TWC Staff