Practical
Plants

Cicuta virosa

Cowbane

a perennial member of the Cicuta genus in the family Umbelliferae.

No photo available

Taxonomy and growth

Genus
Cicuta
Life cycle
perennial
Height
1.2 m
Fertility
Self fertile, Bees, Flies
Flower type
hermaphrodite
Pollinators
Bees, Flies

Uses

Toxicity

Toxicity warning. The historical record reports a hazard for this plant. Do not use it to decide which parts are safe to eat or use medicinally.

This section contains historical Plants For A Future notes marked noncommercial.

A very poisonous plant[1][2][4], even a small bite can be lethal[8]. The active ingredient is called cicutoxin, it is a spasmodic with a high toxicity to the central nervous system. It causes death by respiratory paralysis[5].

Edible uses

This section contains historical Plants For A Future notes marked noncommercial.

One report says that the boiled leaves have been eaten[10]. This is very unwise, see the notes above on toxicity. There are no edible uses listed for Cicuta virosa.

Medicinal uses

Historical medicinal uses. These records describe reported uses. They do not establish safety or effectiveness. Ask a qualified health professional before using any plant medicinally.

This section contains historical Plants For A Future notes marked noncommercial.

The root is analgesic, antispasmodic, emetic, galactofuge and sedative[7][9]. The whole plant is highly toxic and is not used in herbal medicine[9]. A homeopathic remedy has been made from this plant in the past[9]. It was used in the treatment of epilepsy, meningitis and other ailments affecting the brain[9].

Product or use
Analgesic
Product or use
Antispasmodic
Product or use
Emetic
Product or use
Galactofuge
Product or use
Sedative

Environment

Range
Northern and central Europe, including Britain, east to Japan.
Habitat
Ditches, shallow muddy waters and marshes[9][2][3].
Light
full sun
Shade tolerance
light shade
Water
high
Soil textures
sandy, loamy, clay
Soil pH
acid, neutral, alkaline
Tolerates Nutritionally Poor Soil
No
Drought
intolerant

Propagation

This section contains historical Plants For A Future notes marked noncommercial.

Seed - sow spring or autumn in a cold frame. When they are large enough to handle, prick the seedlings out into individual pots and plant them out into their permanent positions in the summer. If you have sufficient seed, outdoor sowings in situ could be tried in the spring and the autumn.

Cultivation

This section contains historical Plants For A Future notes marked noncommercial.

Prefers a moist or wet acid soil[2].

References

  1. Altmann. H. Poisonous Plants and Animals. Chatto and Windus 1980-00-00 ISBN 0-7011-2526-8

    ↩

  2. Triska. Dr. Hamlyn Encyclopaedia of Plants. Hamlyn 1975-00-00 ISBN 0-600-33545-3

    ↩1↩2↩3

  3. Clapham, Tootin and Warburg. Flora of the British Isles. Cambridge University Press 1962-00-00

    ↩

  4. Stary. F. Poisonous Plants. Hamlyn 1983-00-00 ISBN 0-600-35666-3

    ↩

  5. Chopra. R. N., Nayar. S. L. and Chopra. I. C. Glossary of Indian Medicinal Plants (Including the Supplement). Council of Scientific and Industrial Research, New Delhi. 1986-00-00

    ↩

  6. Moerman. D. Native American Ethnobotany Timber Press. Oregon. 1998-00-00 ISBN 0-88192-453-9

  7. Grieve. A Modern Herbal. Penguin 1984-00-00 ISBN 0-14-046-440-9

    ↩

  8. Frohne. D. and Pf�nder. J. A Colour Atlas of Poisonous Plants. Wolfe 1984-00-00 ISBN 0723408394

    ↩

  9. Launert. E. Edible and Medicinal Plants. Hamlyn 1981-00-00 ISBN 0-600-37216-2

    ↩1↩2↩3↩4↩5

  10. Moerman. D. Native American Ethnobotany Timber Press. Oregon. ISBN 0-88192-453-9 (1998-00-00)

    ↩

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