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Poison
Water Hemlock
(Cicuta virosa)
cow bane, water parsnip, fool’s parsley
 Description:
A stout, 2-6 feet tall perennial. It is erect, hollow
stemmed, branching and comes from a thick root-stock.
The lower leaves are large and long-stalked. The upper
leaves are divided into three leaflets and each again
into three. Small, white flowers spread to a flat-topped
cluster similar to Poison Hemlock. The roots, when cut
lengthwise, reveal air cavities separated by cross sections.
It grows in swamps, marshes and along ditches. Found throughout
the U.S. to Alaska.
CAUTION:
Do not eat anything with leaves or blossoms resembling
the poison or water hemlock without positive identification.
It has been mistaken for cow parsnip, as they both grow
in similar areas
and the blossoms and root are somewhat alike.
DEADLY,
POISONOUS: All parts are poisonous, especially the
root. Symptoms are nausea, salivation, vomiting, diarrhea,
dilated pupils, high temperature and tremors, followed
by extremely violent seizures, and respiratory failure.
Death can occur.
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