Oenanthe crocata Hemlock Water-dropwort

A large umbellifer with hollow stems and a faint smell of parsley which grows in wet habitats such as marshes, fens, the edges of water bodies shallow ditches and wet woodlands, particularly  marshy alder-willow woodlands. It has tuberous roots and produces stout shoots with 3-pinnate leaves and large umbellate heads of white flowers. It is common in the west of Britain and found throughout Wales. It is widespread  and common in much of West Glamorgan but less common in the coniferised uplands of Neath Port Tabot. It is widely regarded as one of the most toxic plants in Europe and conatins a number of toxins, particularly polyacetelene neurotoxins which are concentrated in its roots. Among other things the neurotoxin causes fascial muscle spasms which lead to a permanent grimacing, 'sardonic' smile referred to as risus sardonicus. Some authorities state that extracts from the plant were used in ritual executions in Sardinia during the Phoenician era. In addition its shoots contain a number of different monoterpenes and phenolic compounds.

Native