Family: Apiaceae
Author: L.
Bibliography: Sp. Pl.: 255 (1753)
Year: 1753
Status: accepted
Rank: species
Genus: Cicuta
Vegetable: False
Observations: Temp. Northern Hemisphere
Description
Cowbane, scientifically known as Cicuta virosa, is a highly toxic plant belonging to the Apiaceae family. This species, first classified by the renowned botanist Carl Linnaeus in 1753 as noted in his seminal work, “Species Plantarum,” is native to the temperate regions of the Northern Hemisphere.
The plant is characterized by its tall stature, often reaching heights between 1 to 2 meters. It features hollow, grooved stems that exude a yellowish, oily liquid when cut. The leaves of Cowbane are pinnate, with finely divided leaflets that give the plant a delicate, feathery appearance. During blooming season, Cowbane produces small, white flowers arranged in umbrella-shaped clusters known as umbels, a common trait within the Apiaceae family.
One of the most critical aspects of Cowbane is its extreme toxicity, primarily due to the presence of cicutoxin, a potent compound that affects the central nervous system. Even small amounts of cicutoxin can cause severe poisoning, leading to symptoms such as seizures, respiratory paralysis, and potentially death if not treated promptly. Consequently, Cowbane poses a significant risk to livestock and humans, necessitating careful handling and awareness of its dangerous properties.
Despite its hazardous nature, Cowbane plays a role in its native ecosystems. It typically thrives in wetlands, including marshes, ditches, and riverbanks, where it contributes to the biodiversity of plant life. Its flowers, though dangerous to large animals, provide nectar for various insects, facilitating pollination processes within these environments.
In summary, Cicuta virosa, or Cowbane, is a plant that exemplifies the dual roles of beauty and danger within nature. Its presence in the temperate regions of the Northern Hemisphere underscores the delicate balance of ecological systems, where even the most perilous plants have their place and purpose.
Common Names
Eng: european water-hemlock, mackenzie’s water hemlock, cowbane, water-hemlock, european waterhemlock, northern water-hemlock, mackenzie’s water-hemlock
Deu: giftiger wasserschierling, wasserschierling
Dan: gifttyde, gifttyde (submers form)
Fra: ciguë vireuse, cicutaire du nord
Swe: myrkkykeiso, sprängört
Fin: myrkkykeiso
Nor: sels næp, spreng-rood, syle-næbber
Nno: selsnepe
Nob: selsnepe
Nld: waterscheerling
Sme: mirkourttas, mirkorássi
Cym: buladd, cas-gan-fuwch
Kor: dong-mi-na-ri
En: Cowbane, Water-hemlock, European water-hemlock, Mackenzie’s water hemlock, Mackenzie’s Water-Hemlock, European Waterhemlock, Northern water-hemlock
Ar: شوكران سام
Hy: Մոլեխինդ թունավոր
Az: Zəhərli subaldırğanı
Eu: Uretako astaperrexil
Be: Цыкута ядавiтая
Bg: Воняща цикута
Zh: 毒芹
Cs: Rozpuk jízlivý
Da: Gifttyde, Gifttyde (submers form)
Nl: Waterscheerling
Eo: Akvocikuto
Et: Harilik mürkputk
Fi: Myrkkykeiso
Fr: “Cigüe aquatique, Ciguë vénéneuse, Cigüe vireuse”, Ciguë vireuse, Cicutaire du Nord, Ciguë aquatique, Persil des marais, Cigüe aquatique, Cigüe vireuse
De: Wasserschierling, Gift-Wasserschierling, Giftiger Wasserschierling
Hu: Gyilkos csomorika
Is: Beiskjusveipur
Ga: Fealla bog
It: Cicuta acquatica
Ko: 독미나리, Dong-mi-na-ri
Lt: Nuodingoji nuokana
Gv: Aghaue veg
Se: Mirkourttas, Mirkorássi
No: Selsnepe, Sels næp, Spreng-rood, Syle-næbber
Nb: Selsnepe
Nn: Selsnepe
Os: Куыдзы хъонтхора
Fa: شوکران آبی شمالی
Pl: Szalej jadowity
Ru: Вёх ядовитый
Sk: Rozpuk jedovatý
Sv: Sprängört, Myrkkykeiso
Zh-tw: 毒芹
Uk: Цикута отруйна
Cy: Buladd, Cas-Gan-Fuwch
Synonyms
- Cicuta virosa f. angustifolia ((Kit.) Regel)
- Cicuta virosa var. latisecta (Čelak.)
- Cicuta virosa var. orientalis ((Degen) Bald.)
- Cicuta virosa var. stricta (Schultz)
- Cicuta virosa var. nipponica ((Franch.) Makino)
- Cicuta virosa var. angustisecta (Čelak.)
- Cicuta virosa var. tenuifolia ((Schrank) Roth)
- Cicutaria aquatica (Lam.)
- Selinum virosum ((L.) E.H.L.Krause)
- Cicutaria virosa ((L.) Delarbre)
- Cicuta angustifolia (Kit. ex Schult.)
- Cicuta nipponica (Franch.)
- Cicuta baldacciana (Degen ex Bald.)
- Cicuta virosa f. longiinvolucellata (Y.C.Chu)
- Cicuta virosa f. latisecta ((Čelak.) Y.C.Chu)
- Cicuta tenuifolia (Schrank)
- Cicuta mackenzieana (Raup)
- Sium cicuta (F.H.Wigg.)
- Cicuta orientalis (Degen)
- Cicuta virosa var. intermedia (Glaab)
- Cicuta cellulosa (Gilib.)
- Cicuta pumila (Behm)
- Cicuta virosa var. angustifolia ((Kit.) Wimm. & Grab.)
Distribution
- Alaska (native)
- Alberta (native)
- Altay (native)
- Amur (native)
- Austria (native)
- Baltic States (native)
- Belarus (native)
- Belgium (native)
- British Columbia (native)
- Bulgaria (native)
- Buryatiya (native)
- Central European Rus (native)
- China North-Central (native)
- China South-Central (native)
- Chita (native)
- Czechoslovakia (native)
- Denmark (native)
- East European Russia (native)
- Finland (native)
- France (native)
- Germany (native)
- Great Britain (native)
- Greece (native)
- Hungary (native)
- Inner Mongolia (native)
- Ireland (native)
- Irkutsk (native)
- Italy (native)
- Japan (native)
- Kamchatka (native)
- Kazakhstan (native)
- Khabarovsk (native)
- Kirgizstan (native)
- Korea (native)
- Krasnoyarsk (native)
- Kuril Is. (native)
- Magadan (native)
- Manchuria (native)
- Manitoba (native)
- Mongolia (native)
- Netherlands (native)
- North Caucasus (native)
- North European Russi (native)
- Northwest European R (native)
- Northwest Territorie (native)
- Norway (native)
- Ontario (native)
- Palestine (native)
- Poland (native)
- Primorye (native)
- Québec (native)
- Romania (native)
- Sakhalin (native)
- Saskatchewan (native)
- South European Russi (native)
- Sweden (native)
- Switzerland (native)
- Transcaucasus (native)
- Turkey (native)
- Tuva (native)
- Ukraine (native)
- West Himalaya (native)
- West Siberia (native)
- Xinjiang (native)
- Yakutskiya (native)
- Yugoslavia (native)
- Yukon (native)
Additional Images
Flower
Taken Jul 25, 2014 by Tela Botanica − Yoan MARTIN (cc-by-sa)
Taken Jul 25, 2014 by Tela Botanica − Yoan MARTIN (cc-by-sa)
Taken Jul 26, 2021 by Gail Niya Gee Lafleur (cc-by-sa)
Taken Apr 20, 2022 by Mary Kingfishers Mary Kingfishers (cc-by-sa)
Taken Aug 2, 2019 by Mariam Martin (cc-by-sa)
Leaf
Taken Jul 16, 2021 by Denis Moulin (cc-by-sa)
Taken Apr 15, 2020 by Gandini Arturo (cc-by-sa)
Taken Mar 21, 2020 by christiane schoon (cc-by-sa)
Taken Jul 16, 2019 by Schnittler Martin (cc-by-sa)
Taken Jan 22, 2020 by Ludovic Respect (cc-by-sa)
Other
Taken Jul 15, 2006 by Photoflora – Benoit BOCK (©)
Taken Sep 15, 2011 by Photoflora – Benoit BOCK (©)
Taken Aug 15, 2007 by Photoflora – Benoit BOCK (©)
Taken Jan 1, 1800 by Tela Botanica − Daniel MATHIEU (cc-by-sa)
Taken Apr 21, 2020 by Harlow Heckman (cc-by-sa)
Habit
Taken Jan 22, 2020 by Ludovic Respect (cc-by-sa)
Taken Jul 25, 2014 by Tela Botanica − Yoan MARTIN (cc-by-sa)
Taken Jul 4, 2018 by Tela Botanica − Liliane Roubaudi (cc-by-sa)
Taken Jul 4, 2018 by Tela Botanica − Liliane Roubaudi (cc-by-sa)
Taken Jul 4, 2018 by Tela Botanica − Liliane Roubaudi (cc-by-sa)
Bark
Taken Sep 15, 2005 by Photoflora – Benoit BOCK (©)
Taken Jan 22, 2020 by Ludovic Respect (cc-by-sa)
Taken Jan 1, 1800 by Tela Botanica − Thierry Pernot (cc-by-sa)
Taken Jul 4, 2018 by Tela Botanica − Liliane Roubaudi (cc-by-sa)
Taken Jul 4, 2018 by Tela Botanica − Liliane Roubaudi (cc-by-sa)
Fruit
Taken Sep 15, 2011 by Photoflora – Benoit BOCK (©)
Taken Sep 15, 2011 by Photoflora – Benoit BOCK (©)
Taken Sep 15, 2011 by Photoflora – Benoit BOCK (©)
Taken Jul 15, 2006 by Photoflora – Benoit BOCK (©)
Taken Jan 1, 1800 by Tela Botanica − Thierry Pernot (cc-by-sa)
© copyright of the Board of Trustees of the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew.
© copyright of the Board of Trustees of the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew.
© copyright of the Board of Trustees of the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew.
Sources
- WFO (No URL)
- IPNI (No URL)
- GBIF (https://www.gbif.org/species/5371864)
- POWO (http://powo.science.kew.org/taxon/urn:lsid:ipni.org:names:840414-1)
- PlantNet (https://identify.plantnet.org/species/the-plant-list/Cicuta virosa L.)
Specifications
Growth habit: Forb/herb
Growth
Ph maximum: 7.5
Ph minimum: 7.0
Light: 7
Atmospheric humidity: 9
Bloom months: [‘jul’, ‘aug’]
Soil nutriments: 5