(n) tall biennial water hemlock of northeastern North America having purple-spotted stems and clusters of extremely poisonous tuberous roots resembling small sweet potatoes, Syn. spotted hemlock, spotted water hemlock
(Bot) (a) A poisonous umbelliferous plant (Cicuta virosa) of Europe; also, any one of several plants of that genus. (b) A poisonous plant (Œnanthe crocata) resembling the above. [ 1913 Webster ]