Water hemlock
Cicuta spp. (incl. C. douglasii, C. maculata)
- Plant type
- forb
- Settings
- Riparian and wet ground
- Risk
- High risk Our rating from the cited sources.
- Review
- Not yet reviewed by a veterinarian.
Photos
Planned.
How to tell it
White umbrella-shaped flower clusters; leaf veins end at the notches between teeth, not the tips; thick root base with small chambers holding a brown or straw-colored liquid; wet ground (ARS).
Look-alikes: Planned.
What to do on a site walk
- Fence off wet areas.
- Remove whole plants with roots (gloves) before move-in.
Why it matters
- Toxic principle
- Cicutoxin
- Toxic parts
- Roots and stem base highest; leaves and stems in early growth; green seed heads
- Basis for our rating
- Chewgrass rating. ARS calls it the most violently toxic plant it lists.
Signs in goats
Frothing, twitching, dilated pupils, violent convulsions; death can come within 15 minutes (ARS).
If you think an animal has been poisoned, call your vet right away.
Season
Most dangerous in spring growth and when roots are exposed by ditch work or trampling; more appealing after herbicide spraying (ARS).
Sources
- USDA ARS Poisonous Plant Research Lab: Water Hemlock
- Second source (poisonousplants.ansci.cornell.edu)
Links last checked: 2026-10-31