Beaver Poison

Cicuta maculata (sih-KYOO-tah mak-yoo-LAY-tah)

Family: Apiaceae Native Herbaceous

Water Hemlock is a perennial herb with short tuberous roots and purple-striped or mottled, hollow stems with cross-partitions at the nodes and many of these at the base of the stem. Its leaves are alternate, clasp the stem, are 2-3 pinnately divided, and have leaflets with the veins ending in the notch between the teeth. These veins distinguish the Water Hemlock from other members of the Carrot family. In its first year, it will be in the form of a low-growing rosette. Maturing in the second year, it will develop a tall stalk, growing to up to 8'. The tiny flowers are small, white, and form in umbrella-like clusters. They bloom from spring to fall, attracting a variety of bee, wasp and butterfly species. It is a host plant for the Black swallowtail butterfly ( Papilio polyxenes ) . Although all parts of the plant are highly toxic, however, water birds do eat the fruits without effect. Site: Wet meadows, thickets, fresh water swamps, roadside ditches, floodplains Found in: Forest or natural area in wet areas, pond, stream, or ditch banks. Insects, Diseases, and Other Plant Problems: All parts of the plant are poisonous, with the roots more poisonous than the other parts.

Source: NC State Extension Gardener Plant Toolbox ↗ NC State Extension Gardener Plant Toolbox, 66 attributes.