8 



plants and are twice branched (see Figures 2 and 3). The stem is 

 smooth, green, and hollow, except at the nodes or joints where the 

 leaves are attached. This hollow is formed by the breaking down of 

 the pith, and very young stems may still be solid. The flower clusters 

 are broad and flat and resemble those of parsnips or carrots. The 

 flowers are small and inconspicuous, greenish-white in color. Flowers 

 and flower clusters are well shown in Figures 1 and 2. 



The lower underground part of the stem is thickened and fleshy, with 

 a series of cross-partitions, which divide the interior into small short 

 chambers, as shown in Figure 4. The hollows between these partitions 

 are formed like the hollow in the rest of the stem that is, by the 



Figure 4. Boot and Rootstock of the Poison Parsnip. The full- 

 grown rootstock is divided by thin partitions into a number 

 of shallow chambers. 



breaking down of the pith ; and they may not' be found in very young 

 roots. Attached to this thickened tuberous central portion are a num- 

 ber of thick fleshy roots with some ordinary root-fibers. 



When the tuber or the roots are cut, a reddish or yellowish sirupy 

 liquid oozes out on the cut surface. This is cicutoxin, the poisonous 

 principle of the plant. 



How to Distinguish the Poison Parsnip from Other Plants. 



Several other plants belonging to the parsley family resemble the 

 poison parsnip so much that they may be mistaken for it if the tops 



