water hemlock

American  

noun

1. any of several poisonous plants belonging to the genus Cicuta, of the parsley family, as C. virosa of Europe, and C. maculata of North America, growing in swamps and marshy places.

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water hemlock British  

noun

1. another name for cowbane

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Etymology

Origin of water hemlock

First recorded in 1755–65

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

water hemlock

Feral horses, belonging to my grandfather, ran wild over thick banks of water hemlock, and there were more than a few rattlesnakes.

From "Educated" by Tara Westover

The banks, which are of a spongy black loam, grow a heavy crop of coarse meadow grass, interspersed in the late summer with the umbrella- like white clusters of water hemlock.

From The Black Creek Stopping-House by McClung, Nellie L.

Poisoning with water hemlock undoubtedly occurs more frequently than shown by any record.

From Food Poisoning by Jordan, Edwin Oakes

Be sure you know the difference between sweet cicely and the poisonous water hemlock before tasting the former's spicy root.

From Wild Flowers An Aid to Knowledge of Our Wild Flowers and Their Insect Visitors by Blanchan, Neltje

The other ingredients have no marked toxic action, unless 'berle' and 'ache' refer not to the harmless water parsnip but to the poisonous water hemlock or cowbane.

From The Witch-cult in Western Europe A Study in Anthropology by Murray, Margaret Alice