Western water-hemlock
General poisoning notes:
Western
water-hemlock (Cicuta douglasii) is a native perennial plant found in
wet soils in British Columbia. This plant is poisonous to all types of
livestock and to humans. Many cases of poisoning have occurred in cattle,
sheep, and horses. Pigs seem more resistant to the toxins, but they have still
been poisoned. Humans have also been poisoned by this plant. Children are
especially susceptible because ingestion of only one bite of the rootstock is
sufficient to cause death. The onset of symptoms is so rapid that treatment may
not be successful (Starrveld and Hope 1975, James and Ralphs 1986). See
additional information in the general notes under Cicuta maculata.
Description:
The
characteristics of water hemlock include its stem which is 0.5–2 meters tall
with purplish spots, thick roots, and leaves that are compound pinnate and
alternate. The leaflets are usually 5–8 cm long and 1–2 cm wide with
jagged edges. The flowers on it are compound umbellate inflorescences with many
small, white flowers. There are two seeds for each flower. Seed dispersal for
water hemlock seeds comes from means of wind, water, machinery, on clothing,
and through transported soil. The seeds germinate in spring, and flowers mature
near the end of June and beginning of July. In addition to sprouting new plants
from seeds, rootstocks can also product new plants. These are formed in the
fall from the basal meristem, and when they detach the following spring, they
may form a new plant.
Nomenclature:
Scientific Name: Cicuta douglasii (DC.) Coult.
& Rose
Vernacular
name(s): western water-hemlock
Scientific family
name: Apiaceae
Vernacular family
name: parsley
Geographic Information:
British Columbia.
Notes on Poisonous plant parts:
The toxins are
concentrated in the chambered rootstock but also occur in the leaves and stems
as well (James and Ralphs 1986).
Toxic parts:
Leaves, roots,
young shoots.
Notes on Toxic plant chemicals:
Cicutoxin is a
highly unsaturated alcohol that is very toxic. The following dosages have been
found:
Lethal dose (fresh green plant material)
|
Animal
|
0.1 kg
|
sheep
|
0.4 kg
|
cattle
|
0.3 kg
|
horse
|
Pigs
appear to be more resistant to poisoning than other livestock. Adult humans can
be poisoned and can die with only two or three bites of the rootstock
(Starrveld and Hope 1975, James and Ralphs 1986).
Toxic plant chemicals:
Cicutoxin.
Animals/Human Poisoning:
Note: When an
animal is listed without additional information, the literature (as of 1993)
contained no detailed explanation.
Cattle
General symptoms of
poisoning:
Bloat,
coma, convulsions, death by asphyxiation, lesions, no specific, muscle spasms,
muscle twitching, nervousness, salivation.
Notes on poisoning:
Symptoms of
poisoning are similar to all classes of livestock. See the information in
general notes under Cicutamaculata.
Horses
General symptoms of
poisoning:
Bloat,
coma, convulsions, death by asphyxiation, lesions, no specific, muscle spasms,
muscle twitching, nervousness, salivation, teeth grinding.
Humans
General symptoms of
poisoning:
Coma.
Notes
on poisoning:
Toxicity and death
in humans is possible with all three species of the genus Cicuta
(water-hemlock). See the information in the general notes under Cicutamaculata.
Sheep
General symptoms of
poisoning:
Bloat,
coma, convulsions, death, death by asphyxiation, gait, unsteady,
incoordination, lesions, no specific, mouth, frothing of, muscle spasms, muscle
twitching, nervousness, salivation, tarsal joint knuckling, teeth grinding,
trembling, urination, frequent.
Swine
General symptoms of
poisoning:
Coma, convulsions,
death by asphyxiation, muscle spasms, muscle twitching, nervousness,
salivation.
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