Vascular Plants of the Gila Wilderness
Presented in Association with the
Western New Mexico University Department
of Natural Sciences
Cicuta maculata Linnaeus
(Spotted Water Hemlock)
Family: Apiaceae
Status: Native
Synonyms:
Cicuta douglasii of NM authors
Cicuta maculata has umbels of small white flowers than produce ovate ribbed green fruit.
The leaves are compound with dentate leaflets. Cicuta maculata can be found on streambanks in the
middle elevations. C. maculata is considered by many to be North America's most poisonous plant.
It contains cicutoxin, which can cause death even when minute amounts of the plant are ingested.
Please click on an image for a larger file.
Cicuta maculata, photo Russ Kleinman Bill Norris, Kelly Kindscher & Danielle Walkup, Mogollon Mtns., Willow Creek, Aug. 2, 2008
Cicuta maculata, fruits, photo Russ Kleinman & Danielle Walkup, West Fork at Gila Cliff Dwellings, July 9, 2008
Cicuta maculata, flowers, photo Russ Kleinman & Danielle Walkup, West Fork at Gila Cliff Dwellings, July 9, 2008
Cicuta maculata, leaf, photo Russ Kleinman & Danielle Walkup, West Fork at Gila Cliff Dwellings, July 9, 2008
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