Mackenzie's Water Hemlock
Cicuta virosa
- Native to:
- Austria, Baltic States, Belarus, Belgium, Bulgaria, Canada, China, Czechia-Slovakia, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Great Britain, Greece, Hungary, India, Ireland, Italy, Japan, Kazakhstan, Kirgizstan, Korea, Kuril Is., Netherlands, North Caucasus, Norway, NW. Balkan Pen., Palestine, Poland, Romania, Russia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Transcaucasus, Türkiye, Ukraine, United States
iNaturalist: © alexeiebel (iNaturalist #120323610)
Taxonomy
- Division:
- Magnoliophyta | - Flowering plants
- Family:
- Apiaceae
- Genus:
- Cicuta
- Species:
- Cicuta virosa
- USDA Symbol:
- CIVI5
Growth Characteristics
- Life Cycle:
- Perennial
- Growth Habit:
- Forb/herb
- Height:
- 150 cm
- Light Requirements:
- Full Sun
- Drought Tolerance:
- Low
- Bloom Months:
- jun,jul,aug
- Bloom Colors:
- white
Wildlife Benefits
- Bees:
- ★☆☆☆☆ Documented bee visitation (GBIF)
- Butterflies & Moths:
- ★★★★☆ Documented Lepidoptera association (GBIF)
Garden & Ecology Notes
- Deer Resistant:
- Yes
Soil Requirements
- Soil Type:
- rich, waterlogged, organic soil
- pH:
- 5.5 - 7.0 (slightly acidic to neutral)
- Drainage:
- tolerates poor drainage
- Moisture:
- consistently moist
- Notes:
- commonly found in marshes and wetlands
Propagation & Germination
- Stratification:
- Cold/moist stratification required — 60–90 days
- Germination Time:
- 30–60 days
- Notes:
- Seeds require cold stratification for 2-3 months; sow in fall or stratify artificially.
Pre-treatment: Cold-moist stratification for 30 days at 1–5°C (34–41°F).; then Cold-moist stratification for 60 days.
Source: Claude AI