any of about 10 species of poisonous plants of the genus Cicuta, in the parsley family (Apiaceae), common throughout the North Temperate Zone. In Europe, Cicuta virosa is the commonly known species. It is a tall perennial herb that grows in marshy areas and is deadly poisonous. The water hemlock best known in North America is C. maculata, also known as cowbane, musquash root, or beaver poison, which grows to about 2.5 metres (8 feet) tall. It has divided leaves and clusters of white flowers.