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Cicuta virosa
  • Cowbane

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

248px
Niche
  • Unknown
    Unknown
    The ecosystem niches for this plant are unknown. Do you know them? Click the edit button to add them!
Functions
  • None
    None
    There are no functions defined for this plant. Do you know of some? Click the edit button to add them!
Light
  • Full sun
    Full sun
    The amount of sun exposure that a plant prefers in ideal conditions.
    Key
  • light shade
    Light shade
    The amount of shade a plant will tolerate without adverse health affects.
    Key
Water
  • Water Requirementshigh
    High
    The amount of water a plant needs for healthy growth, relative to other plants.
    Key
Soil
  • acid,neutral,alkaline
    Unknown
    The PH range (acidity or alkilinity) of the growth medium ideal for healthy nutrient absorbtion.
    Key
  • Sandy to Clay
    The soil texture this plant prefers for optimal growth.
    Key
Cold & Heat
  • ?
    Unknown
    The USDA Hardiness scale assigns plants a number from 1 to 12 representing the minimum temperature a plant can survive.
    Key
    0< -53.9ºC< -65ºF
    1-51.1ºC-60ºF
    2-45.6ºC-50F
    3-40ºC-40ºF
    4-34.4ºC-30ºF
    5-28.9ºC-20ºF
    6-23.3ºC-10ºF
    7-17.8ºC0ºF
    8-12.2C10ºF
    9-6.7ºC20ºF
    10-1.1ºC30ºF
    114.4ºC40ºF
    12> 10ºC> 5ºF
  • ?
    Unknown
    The AHS Heat scale assigns plants a number from 1 to 12 representing the number of days per year a plant requires a temperature exceeding 30ºC (86ºF).
    Key
    11
    21 - 7
    38 - 14
    415 - 30
    531 - 45
    646 - 60
    761 - 90
    891 - 120
    9121 - 150
    10151 - 180
    11181 - 210
    12181 - 210
Cicuta virosa has 0 medicinal uses listed

Uses

Toxic parts

A very poisonous plant[1][2][3], even a small bite can be lethal[4]. 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

Notes

One report says that the boiled leaves have been eaten[6]. This is very unwise, see the notes above on toxicity.
There are no edible uses listed for Cicuta virosa.

Material uses

There are no material uses listed for Cicuta virosa.

Medicinal uses(Warning!)

The root is analgesic, antispasmodic, emetic, galactofuge and sedative[7][8]. The whole plant is highly toxic and is not used in herbal medicine[8]. A homeopathic remedy has been made from this plant in the past[8]. It was used in the treatment of epilepsy, meningitis and other ailments affecting the brain[8].

Unknown part

Analgesic
Antispasmodic
Emetic
Galactofuge
Sedative

Ecology

Ecosystem niche/layer

Ecological Functions

Nothing listed.

Forage

Nothing listed.

Shelter

Nothing listed.

Propagation

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.

Practical Plants is currently lacking information on propagation instructions of Cicuta virosa. Help us fill in the blanks! Edit this page to add your knowledge.



Cultivation

Prefers a moist or wet acid soil[2].

Crops

Problems, pests & diseases

Associations & Interactions

There are no interactions listed for Cicuta virosa. Do you know of an interaction that should be listed here? edit this page to add it.

Polycultures & Guilds

There are no polycultures listed which include Cicuta virosa.

Descendants

Cultivars

Varieties

None listed.

Subspecies

None listed.

Full Data

This table shows all the data stored for this plant.

Taxonomy
Binomial name
Cicuta virosa
Genus
Cicuta
Family
Umbelliferae
Imported References
Edible uses
[6]
Medicinal uses
[7][8]
Material uses & Functions
Botanic
[9]
Propagation
Cultivation
Environment
Cultivation
Uses
Edible uses
None listed.
Material uses
None listed.
Medicinal uses
None listed.
Functions & Nature
Functions
Provides forage for
Provides shelter for
Environment
Hardiness Zone
?
Heat Zone
?
Water
high
Sun
full sun
Shade
light shade
Soil PH
acid, neutral, alkaline
Soil Texture
sandy, loamy, clay
Soil Water Retention
Environmental Tolerances
    Ecosystems
    Native Climate Zones
    None listed.
    Adapted Climate Zones
    None listed.
    Native Geographical Range
    None listed.
    Native Environment
    None listed.
    Ecosystem Niche
    None listed.
    Root Zone Tendancy
    None listed.
    Life
    Deciduous or Evergreen
    ?
    Herbaceous or Woody
    ?
    Life Cycle
    perennial
    Growth Rate
    ?
    Mature Size
    1.2 x meters
    Fertility
    self fertile
    Pollinators
    Bees, Flies
    Flower Colour
    ?
    Flower Type
    hermaphrodite

    "image:Illustration Cicuta virosa0.jpg|248px" cannot be used as a page name in this wiki. "image:Illustration Cicuta virosa0.jpg|248px" cannot be used as a page name in this wiki. "image:Illustration Cicuta virosa0.jpg|248px" cannot be used as a page name in this wiki.

    "image:Illustration Cicuta virosa0.jpg|248px" cannot be used as a page name in this wiki. "image:Illustration Cicuta virosa0.jpg|248px" cannot be used as a page name in this wiki.


    "image:Illustration Cicuta virosa0.jpg|248px" cannot be used as a page name in this wiki.


    "image:Illustration Cicuta virosa0.jpg|248px" cannot be used as a page name in this wiki., "image:Illustration Cicuta virosa0.jpg|248px" cannot be used as a page name in this wiki., "image:Illustration Cicuta virosa0.jpg|248px" cannot be used as a page name in this wiki. "image:Illustration Cicuta virosa0.jpg|248px" cannot be used as a page name in this wiki., "image:Illustration Cicuta virosa0.jpg|248px" cannot be used as a page name in this wiki., "image:Illustration Cicuta virosa0.jpg|248px" cannot be used as a page name in this wiki.

    "image:Illustration Cicuta virosa0.jpg|248px" cannot be used as a page name in this wiki.






    References

    1. ? Altmann. H. Poisonous Plants and Animals. Chatto and Windus ISBN 0-7011-2526-8 (1980-00-00)
    2. ? 2.02.1 Triska. Dr. Hamlyn Encyclopaedia of Plants. Hamlyn ISBN 0-600-33545-3 (1975-00-00)
    3. ? Stary. F. Poisonous Plants. Hamlyn ISBN 0-600-35666-3 (1983-00-00)
    4. ? Frohne. D. and Pf?nder. J. A Colour Atlas of Poisonous Plants. Wolfe ISBN 0723408394 (1984-00-00)
    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. ? 6.06.1 Moerman. D. Native American Ethnobotany Timber Press. Oregon. ISBN 0-88192-453-9 (1998-00-00)
    7. ? 7.07.1 Grieve. A Modern Herbal. Penguin ISBN 0-14-046-440-9 (1984-00-00)
    8. ? 8.08.18.28.38.4 Launert. E. Edible and Medicinal Plants. Hamlyn ISBN 0-600-37216-2 (1981-00-00)
    9. ? Clapham, Tootin and Warburg. Flora of the British Isles. Cambridge University Press (1962-00-00)

    "image:Illustration Cicuta virosa0.jpg|248px" cannot be used as a page name in this wiki.

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    Facts about "Cicuta virosa"RDF feed
    Article is incompleteYes +
    Article requires citationsNo +
    Article requires cleanupYes +
    Belongs to familyUmbelliferae +
    Belongs to genusCicuta +
    Has common nameCowbane +
    Has drought toleranceIntolerant +
    Has fertility typeSelf fertile +, Bee + and Flies +
    Has flowers of typeHermaphrodite +
    Has imageIllustration Cicuta virosa0.jpg +
    Has lifecycle typePerennial +
    Has mature height1.2 +
    Has medicinal partUnknown part +
    Has medicinal useAnalgesic +, Antispasmodic +, Emetic +, Galactofuge + and Sedative +
    Has primary imageIllustration Cicuta virosa0.jpg +
    Has search namecicuta virosa + and x +
    Has shade toleranceLight shade +
    Has soil ph preferenceAcid +, Neutral + and Alkaline +
    Has soil teclayture preferenceClay +
    Has soil teloamyture preferenceLoamy +
    Has soil tesandyture preferenceSandy +
    Has sun preferenceFull sun +
    Has taxonomy nameCicuta virosa +
    Has water requirementshigh +
    Is taxonomy typeSpecies +
    Tolerates nutritionally poor soilNo +
    Uses mature size measurement unitMeters +