Cicuta maculata var. bolanderi

Bolander's water-hemlock, Bolander's Water-Hemlock

Family: Apiaceae · Type: perennial · Native

Conservation status: CNPS 2B.1

Bolander's water-hemlock is a rare (CNPS 2B.1) California native perennial found in southern Sacramento Valley (Suisun marshes), central Coast, and southern Coast regions in coastal wetlands at elevations below 200 meters. Flowering from July to September, this plant produces white flowers in compound umbels characteristic of the water-hemlock family. Growing with tall, hollow stems that are often marked with distinctive purple-red streaks, it develops a robust and striking presence in wet habitats. Its leaves are complex, generally arranged in a two-times pinnate pattern with finely divided leaflets that provide intricate textural detail. This plant is critically important to understand, as all parts are highly toxic and can be fatal if ingested.

Habitat: Coastal wetlands

Bloom period: Jul-Sep

Elevation: < 200 m

Bioregions: s ScV (Suisun marshes), CCo, SCo.

California counties: Solano, Contra Costa, Santa Barbara, Orange, San Luis Obispo, Napa, Los Angeles, Sacramento, Marin, Ventura

Data from The California Species Project — 14,000+ California species with verified data from CNPS, CDFW, USFWS, Jepson eFlora, Cal-IPC, and more.