Other common names:
Snakeweed French names:
Ciguë maculée Family: Parsley Family (Apiaceae) Distinctive features:
Spotted stem. Similar species: Japanese Hedge Parsley (Torilis japonica) - A much more delicate plant.
Spreading Hedge Parsley (Torilis arvensis) - A much more delicate plant. Water Hemlock (Cicuta maculata) - Grows in wet areas; leaves are not finely divided. Bulb-bearing Water Hemlock (Cicuta bulbifera) - Grows in wet areas; leaves are very narrow.
Eastern Hemlock (Tsuga canadensis) - A tree; similar in name only; no relation; not poisonous. See the Ontario Trees & Shrubs website.
Flowers: Summer; White; 5 parts (petals) Leaves: Alternate, Compound, Toothed Stem:
Spotted stem. Habitat: Fields and Open Areas Poisonous: ***DEADLY POISONOUS***.
Books: Newcomb's Wildflower Guide: 220 Native/Non-native:
Non-native Origin and Meaning of Names:
Scientific Name: maculatum: spotted Photographs:
45 photographs available, of which 5 are featured on this page. SCROLL DOWN FOR PHOTOGRAPHS.
Range Map is at the bottom of the page
Photograph by Glenda Theresa Lucas
A view of the overall plant.
Photograph by Glenda Theresa Lucas
The flower umbel.
Photograph by Glenda Theresa Lucas
Photograph by Glenda Theresa Lucas
Closeup showing the spotted stem.
Photograph by Glenda Theresa Lucas
Some leaves. They are finely divided, feather-like.
PLEASE NOTE: A coloured Province or State means this species occurs somewhere in that Province/State.
The entire Province/State is coloured, regardless of where in that Province/State it occurs.
(Range map provided courtesy of the USDA website
and is displayed here in accordance with their
Policies)