This extremely toxic perennial is native throughout North America.
Identification: Water hemlock, a member of the carrot family,
is 3-6′ (91-182 cm) in height. Stems are spotted or striped with purple. Small white flowers about ⅛″ (3.2 mm) across occur in small
separated groups, resembling little parasols. Each tiny flower has five petals and five stamens. The "parasols"
are arranged into umbrella-shaped flowerheads. The separated parasols are probably the most obvious
identifying feature of this plant.
Leaf veins intersect with the insides of the serrations instead of the tips.
6/3/2016 · Nashua River Rail Trail, East Pe
5/31/2010 · Mt. Lebanon St., Pepperell, Massachusetts · ≈ 3½ × 2½″ (9.8 × 6.6 cm) ID is uncertain
9/13/2020 · Hidden Valley Nature Center, Jefferson, Maine · ≈ 6 × 4″ (15 × 10 cm)
Here is a comparison of some similar-appearing species:
Up to 3' tall, with leaves so finely divided as to look featherlike, with "feathers" up to 9" long
Up to 6½′ (2 m) in height. Poisonous : causes phytophotodermatitis.
Flowers
Small white flowers about ⅛″ (3.2 mm) across occur in small separated groups, resembling little parasols. Each flower has 5 petals and 5 stamens. The "parasols" are arranged into umbrella-shaped flowerheads.
Densely packed clusters of tiny white flowers, flat-topped or umbrella-shaped. (Cultivars may be yellow, red, or many other colors.) Flowers have 4-6 petals; each petal has three lobes.
Large white compound umbels about 8″ (20 cm) in size. Individual flowers have five petals of inconsistent size.
Leaves
Up to 1′ (40 cm) across, split into sharp lobes that vaguely resemble maple leaves, with a disagreeable odor.
Pale pink before opening. When open, forms an umbrella-shaped flower cluster up to 3" across, composed of tiny 5-petaled flowers.
Leaves
Compound leaves are deeply divided and subdivided.
Stem
Fine hairs on stems and leaves.
Range/ Zones
Type
Wild
Occurrence
Common
Edibility: Poisonous The spotted water hemlock is
North America's most toxic plant. All parts of this plant are
poisonous to people, as well as to livestock. When swallowed, it produces death from violent and painful
convulsions. Even very small quantities can cause death or permanent neurological damage.[1]