April 2007
Ohio Prairie Plant of the MonthSpecies
Common Name Water Hemlock
Latin Name: Cicuta maculata [Pronounced: "sy-KYUTA mack-yu-LATE-ah"]
Type of Plant: Forb
Identification Helps: A wild carrot-like plant 3 to 6 ft tall, with flowers very similar to Queen Annes Lace.
Similar Species: The plant looks a lot like Queen Annes Lace, but with slightly different leaves. Leaves are odd-pinnate or double odd-pinnate and alternate along the stems
Preferred Growing Conditions in the Wild: Prefers wet soils, often in shallow standing water.
Seasons of Growth and Bloom: Blooms in mid summer.
Natural Distribution in Ohio: Found throughout Ohio, but particularly on wet prairies.
Description and General Information: Cictua maculata is an interesting, somewhat uncommon native wet prairie species.
Please note that all parts of the plant are EXTREMELY POISONOUS, with the roots particularly so. Don't ever take so much as a single bite of the plant, even though it closely resembles the wild carrot (Queen Annes Lace). Althoug poisonous to humans, it attracts a number of pollinating and nectaring insects. It can poison livestock that consume it.