Northern water-hemlock
General poisoning notes:
Northern water-hemlock (Cicuta virosa) is a native perennial herb found in wet soils across northern Canada. It contains lower quantities of the toxic chemicals that cause poisoning in humans and livestock. However, Frohne and Pfander (1983) mention a case of human poisoning in Europe after ingestion of some rootstock of this plant. Livestock can also be poisoned if enough of the plants are ingested. Instances of poisoning in Canada should be fewer for northern water-hemlock because the concentration of chemicals is lower and the plant has essentially a boreal distribution outside of major livestock-growing areas. See additional information under Cicuta maculata
Nomenclature:
Scientific Name: Cicuta virosa L.
Vernacular name(s): northern water-hemlock
Scientific family name: Apiaceae
Vernacular family name: parsley
Cicuta virosa L.
Geographic Information
Alberta, British Columbia, Manitoba, Northwest Territories, Ontario, Quebec, Saskatchewan, Yukon Territory.
Toxic parts:
Leaves, roots.
Toxic plant chemicals:
cicutol
Cicutol
cicutoxin
Chemical diagram(s) are courtesy of Ruth McDiarmid, Biochemistry Technician, Kamloops Range Station, Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada, Kamploops, British Columbia, Canada.
Animals/Human Poisoning:
Note: When an animal is listed without additional information, the literature (as of 1993) contained no detailed explanation.
