Scientific Family
Apiaceae
Synonyms
Cicuta maculata var. californica
Plant type
Forbs and Subshrubs
Origin
Native
Lifecycle
Perennial
Height
3 to 7 feet
Riparian
Yes
This plant has erect stems and a horizontally divided tap root which contains an extremely poisonous juice.
Distinct narrow to ovate leaflets with serrated margins and veins that terminate at notches of serration and white petals with notched tips helps distinguish this from C. maculata which has coarse or sparse serration.
Habitat
A wetland plant common in pastures and untilled fields. Occurs on streams, marshes, and irrigation canals.
Plant Community
Riparian
Disturbed Areas
Low elevation
0
High elevation
8200
Flower Characteristics
Stemmed umbels are flat on top with many small lacy flowers.
Flower color
White
Flower shape
Regular
Tubular
No
First bloom month
June
Last bloom month
September
Flower clusters
Rounded
Leaf and Stem Characteristics
Stems have purplish spots and are usually hollow and swollen at the base. Leaf veins terminate at the bottom of the leaf serrations which is a distinguishing characteristic of this plant.
Leaf type
Compound
Leaf color
Green
Leaf shape
Pinnatifid
Leaf margin
Toothed
Leaves clasp
No
Leaf hairs
None
Spines
No
Fruit and Seed Characteristics
Fruit type
Achene
Each lacy flower produces 2 seeds, that are kidney-shaped with corky ridges. In addition to seed dispersal, the plant's rootstock can also produce new plants.