Western Water-Hemlock (Cicuta douglasii)

Western water-hemlock (Cicuta douglasii) is a highly toxic, native member of the Parsnip Family. Western water-hemlock is found in sloughs, wet meadows, along streambanks and other wet areas throughout British Columbia. This plant is poisonous to all types of livestock and to humans. The onset of symptoms is so rapid that treatment is not usually successful.

The toxins are concentrated in the chambered rootstock but also occur in the leaves and stems as well. A consumption of 0.1% of body weight of the green material (leaves and stems) is lethal, however, the oil in a single bulb is enough to kill a 1600 pound cow.

Western water-hemlock is the most common of three native species of water hemlock that occur in British Columbia. Other species include:

• Spotted water-hemlock (Cicuta maculata) - also highly poisonous, and occurs east of the Cascade Mountains north to Alaska;
• Northern water-hemlock (Cicuta virosa) - rare in BC; slightly less toxic but can still cause poisoning.

Similar plants include:

• Cow Parsnip (Heracleum lanatum) - grows in uplands, up to ten feet tall, large maple-like leaves;
• Angelica (Angelica spp.) - uplands and lowlands; and
• Water Parsnip (Sium suave) - very similar ecology to western water-hemlock.