1. Stout herbaceous plant that can grow to 3-7 feet in height

2. Stem is smooth, green, and hollow with characteristic thick, tuberous chambered rootstock; tuberous roots in a bundle of 3-8 tubers

3. Yellow, oily liquid oozes from cut lower stem and from cut roots

4. Umbrella-like, white clusters of flowers at top

5. Leaves are compound with toothed margins

6. Grows in wet meadows, near streams, or in marshes

7. Roots are most toxic; 1 root tuber can kill adult cow

1. A complex alcohol called Cicutoxin which is in the yellow, oily fluid

2. Very powerful Central Nervous System convulsant

1. Toxic to all classes of livestock

2. Violent CNS convulsions can occur within 30 minutes

3. Salivation, twitching of muscles, difficult breathing leading to convulsions

1. Control convulsions- may need pentobarbital

2. Remove from rumen or stomach and give activated charcoal