water hemlock

noun
1.
any of several poisonous plants belonging to the genus Cicuta, of the parsley family, as C. virosa of Europe, and C. maculata of North America, growing in swamps and marshy places.
Origin
1755-65
Examples from the web for water hemlock
  • The family includes edible plants as carrot and parsnip, but also poisonous species such as the deadly water hemlock.
  • water hemlock can be distinguished by its taproot, which is branching and tuberous.
  • Wild carrot has many small hairs on the stem, while the stems of the water hemlock are smooth and hairless.
  • One has to be careful not to confuse this plant with similar species such as water hemlock, which are poisonous.
British Dictionary definitions for water hemlock

water hemlock

noun
1.
another name for cowbane (sense 1)
Encyclopedia Article for water hemlock

any of about 10 species of poisonous plants of the genus Cicuta, in the parsley family (Apiaceae), common throughout the North Temperate Zone. In Europe, Cicuta virosa is the commonly known species. It is a tall perennial herb that grows in marshy areas and is deadly poisonous. The water hemlock best known in North America is C. maculata, also known as cowbane, musquash root, or beaver poison, which grows to about 2.5 metres (8 feet) tall. It has divided leaves and clusters of white flowers

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