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water hemlock
noun
: a tall poisonous Eurasian perennial herb (Cicuta virosa) of the carrot family
also
: any of several poisonous North American plants (especially Cicuta maculata and C. douglasii) of the same genus compare poison hemlock
Examples of water hemlock in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
Ingesting even small amounts of water hemlock can lead to seizures, respiratory failure and death.
—Tiffany Acosta, The Arizona Republic, 5 June 2024
One of the most dangerous plants in Arizona is water hemlock, also known as cowbane.
—Tiffany Acosta, The Arizona Republic, 5 June 2024
Last summer, park officials in Dallas responded to toxic water hemlock spotted around White Rock Lake.
—Noor Adatia, Dallas News, 3 June 2023
Due to their similar names, the deadlier western water hemlock is sometimes confused with poison hemlock.
—Camille Fine, USA TODAY, 30 June 2021
Convulsions are a common sign of western water hemlock poisoning, although convulsions have been reported in poison hemlock poisoning.
—Camille Fine, USA TODAY, 30 June 2021
Here is a link with pictures of hemlock and the water hemlock for your review.
—oregonlive, 29 May 2022
Environmental scientists confirmed that poison hemlock and spotted water hemlock were located in Sussex County wetlands, according to a news release from the agency.
—From Usa Today Network and Wire Reports, USA TODAY, 8 July 2021
Western water hemlock, meanwhile, has a feather-like appearance with a bulbous root.
—oregonlive, 29 June 2021
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'water hemlock.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Word History
First Known Use
1597, in the meaning defined above
Dictionary Entries Near water hemlock
Cite this Entry
“Water hemlock.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/water%20hemlock. Accessed 31 Oct. 2024.
Medical Definition
water hemlock
noun
: a tall poisonous Eurasian perennial herb of the genus Cicuta (C. virosa) that is locally abundant in marshy areas or along streams
also
: any of several poisonous North American plants of the genus Cicuta (as spotted cowbane)
More from Merriam-Webster on water hemlock
Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about water hemlock
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