Montane. Wet areas. Summer.
Haviland Lake Trail, June 28, 2004.

Water Hemlock, found in swamps and roadside ditches, is highly poisonous, as is its very close, difficult to distinguish relative, Conium maculatum, the non-native species, "Poison Hemlock" of Socrates infamy.  The danger in all three is that they look superficially similar to other members of the Parsley Family that one might nibble for a bit of Parsley flavoring.  Avoid all unless you are an expert in distinguishing the various species.

"Cicuta" is, according to Weber, the ancient Latin name for this plant.  "Douglas" was a famed Scotsman who collected extensively in North America, especially in the Northwest.  A number of plants, perhaps most famously the Douglas Fir, were named for him. (More biographical information.)

Montane. Wet areas. Summer.
Haviland Lake Trail, July 12, 2007.

Narrow, serrated leaves have prominent veins which end not at the tip of the tooth but in the V cut at the base of the tooth. 

Montane. Wet areas. Summer.
Haviland Lake Trail, June 28, 2004.

Flowers are umbels typical of this family:  see also Cow Parsnip and Loveroot.

Range map © John Kartesz,
Floristic Synthesis of North America

State Color Key

Species present in state and native
Species present in state and exotic
Species not present in state

County Color Key

Species present and not rare
Species present and rare
Species extirpated (historic)
Species extinct
Species noxious
Species exotic and present
Native species, but adventive in state
Eradicated
Questionable presence

Range map for Cicuta maculata