230 



WEED FLORA OF IOWA 



Fig. 132-A. Distribution of Wild Parsnip. 



Cowbane {Cicuta maculata L.). 



Description. — A smooth, marsh perennial, 2-5 ft. high, with pin- 

 nately compound leaves, 2 or 3 times pinnate; leaves with long 

 petioles; coarsely serrate leaflets lanceolate to oblong-lanceolate, 

 1-5 in. long; stalks of umbellets numerous and unequal; flowers 

 white ; fruit broadly ovate to oval, small, 1^/^ in. long. The plant 

 grows in marshes and in low grounds, the stems springing from 

 thick fleshy underground roots tapering at the lower end, usually 

 numbering from 3-8 although single specimens are also met with. 

 On cutting the roots there is given off a sharp pungent odor, which 

 becomes intensified on boiling. 



Distribution. — Common throughout the northern states, south- 

 west to Louisiana, Rocky mountains and Utah. Very common in 

 low grounds and swales in northern Iowa, less common in southern 

 Iowa. 



Extermination. — The field where cowbane occurs needs drain- 

 age; plow the field, break up the sod, and expose the fascicled 

 roots to the sun. This will soon destroy the weed. 



