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Cowbane or northern water hemlock, Cicuta virosa
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Cowbane or northern water hemlock, Cicuta virosa
Cowbane or northern water hemlock, Cicuta virosa. Handcoloured lithograph by Hanhart after a botanical illustration by David Blair from Robert Bentley and Henry Trimens Medicinal Plants, London, 1880
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Media ID 23153188
© Florilegius/Mary Evans
Apothecary Bentley Blair Cicuta Hanhart Hemlock Herbal Medicinal Poison Toxin Trimen Virosa
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Cowbane, or Northern Water Hemlock (Cicuta virosa), as depicted in this stunning hand-colored lithograph by Hanhart after a botanical illustration by David Blair, is a highly toxic plant that has long held the attention of botanists, herbalists, and apothecaries. This image is taken from Robert Bentley and Henry Trimen's "Medicinal Plants," published in London in 1880. The Cowbane plant is native to North America and can be found in wetlands and along the edges of ponds and streams. Its distinctive umbels of white flowers give way to umbrella-like clusters of small, round seeds. However, it is the plant's toxic properties that have earned it notoriety. All parts of the Cowbane plant contain cicutoxin, a powerful neurotoxin that can cause symptoms ranging from nausea and dizziness to convulsions and even death if ingested or handled carelessly. Despite its toxicity, the Cowbane plant has a long history of medicinal use. Indigenous peoples in North America used it to treat a variety of ailments, including rheumatism, fever, and even epilepsy. European settlers also experimented with the plant, using it as a treatment for gout, jaundice, and other conditions. However, the risks associated with its use were well-known, and caution was always advised. Today, the Cowbane plant remains a subject of fascination for botanists, toxicologists, and those with a keen interest in the natural world. This beautiful hand-colored lithograph serves as a reminder of the plant's complex history and the importance of handling all natural substances with care and respect.
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