Species introCountry intro
Water Hemlock (Cicuta maculata)
Growing in a wetland in Gwinnett County, Georgia.
I'm pretty sure I have this ID'ed correctly. Someone feel free to correct me if I'm wrong!
Water Hemlock is a highly poisonous plant within the Carrot (Apiaceae) family. Cicuta species contain cicutoxin, a chemical which stimulates the nervous system, resulting in violent convulsions, vomiting, muscle spasms, dilation of the pupils, and respiratory paralysis leading to death. Symptoms can occur within 15 minutes and death can occur within just a few hours!
''Cicuta maculata'' is a species of flowering plant in the carrot family known by several common names, including spotted water hemlock, spotted parsley, spotted cowbane, and the suicide root by the Iroquois. It is native to nearly all of North America, from northern Canada to southern Mexico.
