Oxypolis rigidior
Oxypolis rigidior, also known as cowbane, pig-potato, or stiff cowbane, is a poisonous species of flowering plant in the celery, carrot, or parsley family native to eastern North America. Cowbane is a perennial wildflower found in wet habitats. [1] [2] [3]
| Oxypolis rigidior | |
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| Genus: | Oxypolis |
| Species: | O. rigidior |
| Binomial name | |
| Oxypolis rigidior (L.) Raf. | |
Description
Oxypolis rigidior is 2–6 foot tall perennial herb of eastern North America. Its leaves are compound, odd-pinnate with 7-11 leaflets, and have variable shape. Umbels of 3 mm white flowers appear August to October. Flat fruits with conspicuous "wings" appear October through November.[1][2]
Identification
The variable leaf shape may make identification challenging. Water hemlock, a related very poisonous species, which sometimes even shares the common name "cowbane", is similar, as is the closely related Savanna cowbane (Oxypolis ternata).[1][2]
Taxonomy
Two varieties have been described, O. rigidior var. rigidior and O. rigidior var. ambigua.[1]
Toxicity
Both roots and top parts are poisonous to mammals.[4]
References
- Weakley, Alan S. (May 2015). Flora of the Southern and Mid-Atlantic States (PDF). Chapel Hill, NC, USA: The University of North Carolina Herbarium. p. 1236. Retrieved 8 July 2015.
- Peterson, Roger Tory; McKenny, Margaret (1968). A Field Guide to Wildflowers Northeastern and Northcentral North America. New York, NY, USA: Houghton Mifflin. p. 52.
- "Oxypolis rigidior (L.) Raf". USDA. Retrieved July 21, 2015.
- Dr. John Hilty. "Cowbane (Oxypolis rigidior)". illinoiswildflowers.info/. Retrieved July 21, 2015.