Water hemlock

Water hemlock is the common name for any of the species of aquatic plants belonging to the taxonomic genus Cicuta. It is a member of the family Apiaceae, which also contains carrots, parsnips, and celery. However members of the genus Cicuta are extremely toxic. Water hemlock is sometimes confused with poison hemlock, the plant that was used to poison Socrates. In ancient times water hemlock was well known for its toxicity and it was used to execute criminals, or to assassinate enemies.

Anatomy
Water hemlock is a perennial deciduous plant, which means that it will grow for several years, but the stems and leaves will die and fall off. Water hemlock blooms from mid June to late August, and it will be able to grow anywhere from three feet to six feet tall. The plant has leaves that are compound veined that are odd-pinnate or double odd-pinnate. The leaves are long, and slender that end sharply, resembling a spear. They are also serrated, sometimes very severely which results in the leaf pointing upwards. The leaves are about four to five inches long, and about an inch and a half wide. The radial veins inside the leaf spread to the notched area of the leaf, instead of the leaf margin, or the tip of the leaf. The petioles will partially sheath the plant's stem and they also lack stipule. The florets of the flower will grow in umbrella shaped structures, each from one central petiole. The flower will be white and about one millimeter wide, and the cluster of florets will be about 10 to 15 centimeters wide, and posses five petals. Each flower is part of an umbel, which is where all of the flower's stalks arise from the same area. There are also small, narrow bracts at the base of the flower stem, instead of at the flower head. The stem of the plant are smooth, and narrow, and they will branch only at certain points. The stem is normally a greenish color with purple stripes, or spots throughout the stem. They have no hair on the stem and are also smooth, and very strong. The lower stem is hollow, while the upper part of the stem is not. The plant grows from several enlarged tuberous roots that are either ovoid or tapered. The roots contain a very deadly oil called Cicutoxin that is stored throughout the root in horizontal chambers, which run throughout the root.

Reproduction
Water hemlock normally reproduces sexually, and begins to produce seeds around the start of summer. In sexual reproduction, which takes place in the flower of the plant, the stamen, the male part, produces pollen, which will fertilize the egg. When pollen is produced it will attach itself to insects, birds, passing animals, or be blown by the wind. Some of the pollen will eventually reach the pistil,the female part, of another Water hemlock plant and will attach to the top of the pistil called the stigma. The pollen will then use a sugar, that the stigma produces, and use it to grow a pathway into the ovary. The pollen will fertilize an egg, and then the flower will dry out and the fertilized eggs will be dispersed and where ever they land, if it survives, a new plant will grow. The plant will also produce fruit, that are about four millimeters wide and six millimeters long. These fruits will protect the seeds and also ensure that the seeds will be spread, and provides protection until the seed is ready to grow.

Ecology
Water hemlock has been found in every state in the United States as well as most of the providences in Canada. The plant is used by many to decorate the areas alongside freeways and in peoples gardens, because it looks very pleasing to the eye. Since it has been transported to all of the States, and now grows there, where it can be easily treated. In the wild it is normally found in wet marshes, meadows, stream banks, and other similar areas where there is an abundance of water. It will grow best in a soil with lots of organic materials, in order for the plant to help retain water. The best weather conditions are average amounts of sunlight, and medium amounts of rain. Water hemlock is able to be spread by water, clothes, machinery, or other methods and can therefore spread very far in a short amount of time, if it is not checked.

Economic Impact
Since the Water Hemlock plant is very toxic, it causes devastation to cattle and other livestock. When cattle graze in areas where the plant grows they have a large risk of ingesting the plant, and that will kill them if they are not immediately treated by a vet. All it will take to kill a full-grown cow is a single root from the plant. The most dangerous time for cattle occurs while it is raining or had previously been raining. This time is the most deadly because the rain will expose the roots, where the poison is most concentrated, although the rest of the plant is also deadly if ingested or inhaled. Water hemlock is sometimes called Cowbane, as a result of the many cows that die from eating water hemlock. Another group that is at risk from water hemlock are children. To a child, the white flowers of the plant look appetizing and they will sometimes eat them. Since about 5 to 8 ounces are about what it takes to kill a full grown man, even if a child eats very little they are at risk of dying. A child does not even have to eat the plant, because if they suck on the stem or by making a whistle out of the stalk of the plant. Children are also at even more risk because people sometimes use this plant to decorate their gardens, and if it planted near a vegetable, or fruit plant. If it is planted close to one of them then, the root might accidentally be picked with the other vegetables and can then kill, or sicken the diners. If the water hemlock becomes too much of a problem, the herbicide 2,4-D plus dicamba, can be used to treat water hemlock, providing it is used before the plants have began to bud. The herbicide may have to be used more than once, to ensure all of the water hemlock has been killed.

Toxicity
Water hemlock is a deadly plant that contains cicutoxin, a thick, yellow liquid that is found in all parts of the plant, but is most concentrated in the roots of the plant. Cicutoxin is an unsaturated alcohol that has a chemical formula of C17H22O2, and the poison looks like a thick, yellowish liquid. The toxic dose, which is the dose needed to have the symptoms develop, is nearly the same as the lethal dose (the amount needed to kill someone) so there is very little hope if the symptoms start to develop. Since 5 to 8 ounces of the plant are all it takes to cause death, in a fully grown human. That amount is about one bite of the root, or two bites of the stem. After being eaten symptoms will develop as soon as 10 or 15 minutes, and no later than an hour after eating the plant. The poison will affect the nervous system of the consumer it will result in all kinds of disorders and symptoms.

Possible symptoms from water hemlock poisoning include:
 * Nervousness
 * Excessive salivation and frothing
 * Muscle twitching
 * Dilation of the pupils
 * Rapid pulse
 * Rapid breathing
 * Tremors
 * Violent convulsions, grand mal seizures
 * Coma
 * Death

Since Water hemlock is so toxic there is very little help to do if it is consumed. The convulsions causes asphyxiation, as well as heart failure. There is no known cure for water hemlock poisoning and about the only thing that can be done is to try and control the symptoms. The ways these are done is too provide respiratory support, to allow easier breathing. They can also administer pain killers to alleviate most of the pain that the poison will cause. Anywhere from 15 minutes to 4 hours after ingesting the poison the consumer will die, most likely after passing into a coma.