Spotted Water-hemlock (Cicuta maculata) Linnaeus, 1753 |
Synonyms: Cicuta mexicana, Cicuta virosa var. maculata, Cicutaria maculata, spotted parsley, spotted cowbane |
Cicuta maculata occurs in North America, from northern Canada to southern Mexico. It grows at stream banks, wetland margins, in moist forests, meadows, and ditches. This is a biennial or short-lived perennial herb growing up to 1-1.5 m in height. The long leaves are pinnate. The inflorescence is a compound umbel with many clusters of small white flowers. It blooms in mid-summer, and is pollinated by various species of Hymenoptera and Diptera. C. maculata is considered the most toxic plant in North America.
D38518 Spotted Water-hemlock (Cicuta maculata) Bruce Peninsula Ontario, Canada Copyright © Michael Patrikeev All Rights Reserved |