
32 PLANTS GROWING IN WATER. 
recognised as the deadly water hemlock. Its appearance also 
is such that it is frequently mistaken for the wild carrot and 
sweet cicely. The stem, which is streaked with purple, not spot- 
ted, as its name, spotted cowbane, would suggest, should be re- 
membered as a means of identification. 
Of allthe members of the parsley family it is the most poison- 
ous. An aromatic, oily fluid is found in the root and in smalier 
quantities in the leaves, stems and seeds. Its chemical nature 
is not exactly known. Every year a large number of. human 
victims falls a prey to this plant, for which there is no known 
antidote. Growing, as it does, in shallow water, its roots are 
washed and exposed to view, when it is gathered in error as 
horse-radish, artichokes, parsnips and other edible roots. 
WATER-=-PARSNIP, 
Sium cicutefolium. 
FAMILY COLOUR ODOUR RANGE TIME OF BLOOM 
Parsley. White. Scentless. Mostly north, west and south. All summer, 
Flowers : small; numerous; growing in umbels. Zeazves: alternate ; pinnate ; 
with many pairs of linear, or lanceolate leaflets that are sharply serrate, Roots: 
dwindled, acrid and poisonous. 
This wild plant is commonly found in shallow water. To 
know it is to avoid it, as it is also a very poisonous member of 
the family, 
PICKEREL-=WEED. 
Pontedérta corddta. 
FAMILY COLOUR ODOUR RANGE TIME OF BLOOM 
Pickerel-weed. Purplish blue. unpleasant. General. All summer. 
Flowers: irregular ; growing in a dense spike. Perzanth : Jabiate ; the three 
upper lobes marked with a greenish-yellow spot; the three lower ones being more 
spreading. Stamens: six; the three lower ones in the throat, the three upper 
ones shorter and imperfect. Pistil: one. Leaf: one only; borne at the top of 
the stem; lanceolate to arrow-shape. Stem: rising one to two feet above the 
water; Stout; erect. 
The pickerel-weed, we may fancy, is the reckless, dashing 
Kate of the underground garden. Evidently she has run away 

