Embedded Files
Toxicity
Toxicity
Symptoms
Symptoms
Symptoms: abdominal pain, amnesia, ataxia, bloat, bradycardia, cardiac dysrhythmias, cardiopulmonary arrest, cerebral edema, coma, convulsions, delirium, depression of the central nervous system, diarrhea, dizziness, excessive sweating, fever, hypoxia, increased or decrease in blood pressure, muscle spasms, nausea, paresthesias, pulmonary edema, pupil dilation, reduced level of consciousness/alertness, renal failure, respiratory impairment, rhabdomyolysis, salivation, seizures, tachycardia, tremors, ventricular fibrillation, vomiting,
Duration of Symptoms: Unknown
Rate of Poison: Within 1 hour
Causes Death: Death may occur within 2-3 hours after ingestion.
Treatment: Airway management, decontamination, hemodialysis for renal failure, induced vomiting, intravenous administration of sodium pentobarbital, laxatives, seizure control.
The water hemlock looks almost exactly like Queen Anne's Lace, a non-toxic, and even edible plant. The leaves that are "droopier" belong to the water hemlock, whereas the thinner, sharper leaves belong to the Queen Anne's Lace. The roots are also often mistaken for parsley or wild carrot. Misidentification of the plant is typically the number one reason why so many people have died shortly after ingestion of the water hemlock.
Photo: D. A. Wilkerson
Main Toxins
Main Toxins
Molecular structure of cicutotoxin (PubChem)
Cicutotoxin
Cicutotoxin
Cicutoxin is a conjugated polyacetylene aliphatic alcohol that acts as an antagonist to gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA) located in the central nervous system. Cicutoxin binds to the beta side of the GABA receptor and deactivates the neurotransmitter, causing a blockade for the chloride channel, inhibiting the passage of chloride ions. This causes a depolarization in the neurons, which can be linked to seizures and even death. There has been some studies that indicate that the cicutoxin will cease the production of lymphocytes by blocking the potassium ion channel within the T lymphocytes. The toxin is absorbed into the body via mucous membranes and digestive tract and quickly transporting to the brain, the site of the neuronal activity.
Level of Toxin: Highest concentration in roots
Impacting Dosage: 2-3 cm of root
Oenanthrotoxin
Oenanthrotoxin
Oenanthrotoxin is a polyacetylenic alcohol that acts as an antatgonist to gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA) located in the central nervous system. Oenanthrotoxin binds to the GABA receptor and causes a depolarization in the neurons, resulting in seizures to occur.
Level of Toxin: Not known
Impacting Dosage: 10 - 20 mg
Molecular structure of oenanthrotoxin (PubChem)
Other Toxins and Chemical Components
Other Toxins and Chemical Components
Cicutol
General Information
General Information
Parts of Plant: All parts, especially the roots.
Contact Hazard: Extremely deadly when touched.
Animals Affected: Most animals
*Water birds can eat the fruit without ill effect. However, should there be consumption of these birds, second-hand poisoning may occur, as the poison is strong enough to be transferred.
Medicinal Value
Medicinal Value
General Information
General Information
Parts of Plant: None known
Properties: Antileukemic, antitumor
Components: Cicutotoxin
Antidote: None known
Preparation: None known
Historical Uses
Historical Uses
Current Uses
Current Uses
Treatments
Treatments
None known
Location
Location
None known
Claimed Treatments
Claimed Treatments
None known
Location
Location
None known
Edibility
Edibility
General Information
General Information
Parts of Plant: None known
Nutrients: None known
Taste: Unpleasant, roots taste sweet
WARNING: !DO NOT CONSUME!
Historical Uses
Historical Uses
Current Uses
Current Uses
Preparation Methods
Preparation Methods
None known
Preparation Methods
Preparation Methods
None known
General Facts
General Facts
Plant Facts
Plant Facts
Drawing of Water Hemlock by Millspaugh, Charles Frederick - Wikimedia Commons
License: Public Domain
Family: Apiaceae/Umbelliferae (Carrot Family)
Genus: Cicuta
Other Names: Beaver Poison, Carotte à Moreau, Children's Bane, Cowbane, Dead Man's Fingers, Death-of-Man, False Parsley, Fever Root, Five-Finger Root, Mock-Eel Root, Muscrat Weed, Musquash Root, Poison Parsnip, Spotted Cowbane, Spotted Hemlock, Snake Weed, Snake Root, Spotted Cowbane, Spotted Parsley, Wild Carrot, Wild Dill, Wild Parsnip
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Bloom Colours: White
Bloom Time: June - August
Type: Biennial, Perennial
Height: 3 - 8 feet
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Habitat: Meadows, swamps, thickets, wet soils - [ditches, marshes, pond margins, stream banks].
Origin: North America
States: All states
Provinces: All provinces
Related Species
Related Species
Other Species
Other Species
Cicuta curtissii
Family Connection
Family Connection
Sources
Sources
Toxicity Section
Toxicity Section
Auerbach, P. S. (2017). Toxic Plant Ingestions. Auerbach's Wilderness Medicine. From https://www.sciencedirect.com/topics/pharmacology-toxicology-and-pharmaceutical-science/cicuta-maculata
Ball, M. J., Flather, M. L., & Forfar, J. C. (1987). Hemlock water dropwort poisoning. Postgraduate Medical Journal, 63(739), 363-365. From https://pmj.bmj.com/content/postgradmedj/63/739/363.full.pdf
Colorado State University. (n.d.). Details. Guide to Poisonous Plants. From https://csuvth.colostate.edu/poisonous_plants/Plants/Details/47
Fertig, W. (n.d.). Water Hemlock (Cicuta maculata or Cicuta maculata (DC.) J.M. Coult. & Rose). U.S. Forest Service. From https://www.fs.fed.us/wildflowers/plant-of-the-week/cicuta_maculata.shtml
Jankovic, J. (2022). Effects of Toxins and Physical Agents on the Nervous System. Bradley and Daroff's Neurology in Clinical Practice. From https://www.sciencedirect.com/topics/pharmacology-toxicology-and-pharmaceutical-science/cicuta-maculata
NC State Extension. (n.d.). Cicuta maculata. North Carolina Extension Gardener Plant Toolbox. From https://plants.ces.ncsu.edu/plants/cicuta-maculata/
Petruzzello, M. (n.d.). 7 of the World’s Deadliest Plants. Encyclopedia Britannica. From https://www.britannica.com/list/7-of-the-worlds-deadliest-plants
Schep, L. J., Slaughter, R. J., Becket, G., & Beasley, D. M. G. (2009). Poisoning due to water hemlock. Clinical toxicology, 47(4), 270-278. From https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/abs/10.1080/15563650902904332
Stewart, A. (2009). Wicked Plants: The Weed That Killed Lincoln's Mother & Other Botanical Atrocities. Algonquin Books of Chapel Hill. (pp. 193-195)
University of Copenhagen. (2018). Cicutoxin - a Cholinergic Poison. From https://natoxaq.ku.dk/toxin-of-the-week/cicutoxin/
Warrell, D. A. (2013). Poisonous Plants and Aquatic Animals. Hunter's Tropical Medicine and Emerging Infectious Disease. (9). From https://www.sciencedirect.com/topics/medicine-and-dentistry/hypoxia
Wyrembek, P., Lebida, K., Mercik, K., Szczuraszek, K., Szczot, M., Pollastro, F., ... & Mozrzymas, J. W. (2010). Block and allosteric modulation of GABAergic currents by oenanthotoxin in rat cultured hippocampal neurons. British journal of pharmacology, 160(6), 1302-1315. From https://bpspubs.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/full/10.1111/j.1476-5381.2010.00644.x
Medicinal Value Section
Medicinal Value Section
University of Copenhagen. (2018). Cicutoxin - a Cholinergic Poison. From https://natoxaq.ku.dk/toxin-of-the-week/cicutoxin/
Edibility Section
Edibility Section
Auerbach, P. S. (2017). Toxic Plant Ingestions. Auerbach's Wilderness Medicine. From https://www.sciencedirect.com/topics/pharmacology-toxicology-and-pharmaceutical-science/cicuta-maculata
Stewart, A. (2009). Wicked Plants: The Weed That Killed Lincoln's Mother & Other Botanical Atrocities. Algonquin Books of Chapel Hill. (pp. 193-195)
General Facts Section
General Facts Section
Auerbach, P. S. (2017). Toxic Plant Ingestions. Auerbach's Wilderness Medicine. From https://www.sciencedirect.com/topics/pharmacology-toxicology-and-pharmaceutical-science/cicuta-maculata
Colorado State University. (n.d.). Details. Guide to Poisonous Plants. From https://csuvth.colostate.edu/poisonous_plants/Plants/Details/47
Fertig, W. (n.d.). Water Hemlock (Cicuta maculata or Cicuta maculata (DC.) J.M. Coult. & Rose). U.S. Forest Service. From https://www.fs.fed.us/wildflowers/plant-of-the-week/cicuta_maculata.shtml
Minnesota Wildflowers. (n.d.). Cicuta maculata (Water Hemlock). From https://www.minnesotawildflowers.info/flower/water-hemlock
NC State Extension. (n.d.). Cicuta maculata. North Carolina Extension Gardener Plant Toolbox. From https://plants.ces.ncsu.edu/plants/cicuta-maculata/
Stewart, A. (2009). Wicked Plants: The Weed That Killed Lincoln's Mother & Other Botanical Atrocities. Algonquin Books of Chapel Hill. (pp. 193-195)
Date of page creation: October 11, 2022
Updated page: March 21, 2023
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