Cicuta (Noun)
Meaning
Small genus of perennial herbs having deadly poisonous tuberous roots: water hemlock.
Classification
Nouns denoting plants.
Examples
- Cicuta plants grow in or near water and have highly toxic roots that can be fatal if ingested.
- Experts usually identify cicuta by the unique arrangement and number of its leaflets on the central stem.
- In ancient Greece, cicuta was used to execute certain prisoners by forcing them to dig up the poisonous plants for preparation of a toxic drink.
- Water hemlock or cicuta is extremely poisonous, and proper protective gear is essential when handling this plant in nature.
- Identifying cicuta plants in the wilderness can be hazardous if proper precautions are not followed, given their lethal poisonous compounds.