With few exceptions, most of what has been identified as C. douglasii is not genetically distinct from C. maculata. If you are interested in the work done on this http://www.life.illinois.edu/downie/Cicuta.pdf It is called spotted water hemlock (maculata means spotted) because the stems sometimes have purple spots. The introduced poison hemlock (Conium maculatum) also has purple spotted stems and more finely divided leaves. There is a plant called hemlock parsley (Conioselinum chinense) that grows in fens that is superficially similiar. The bulblet-bearing water hemlock (Cicuta bulbifera) is a much more delicate plant compared to the rest of these.

Hi....Live in PA and would love some also for postage. Still cool here so no hurry. Let me know and thanks.

Fortunately, we're a little less than an inch behind our normal rainfall here. And I seem to be situated in a narrow "weather belt" where if there's a rain producing cloud going over, I'll get it. It can be bone dry a few blocks in any direction. The downside is that it works the same for snow - in an event I can get 2 feet whereas others get a dusting. With Lake Superior as our greatest resource, we rarely have water restrictions. However, the hint is always there to practice conservation, if for no other reason than it's the right thing to do and because all of the lakes are below their normal levels. I know there's an ongoing attempt by thirsty areas west of the Mississippi to construct pipelines and drain off Great Lakes water. Luckily, Canada has a vested interest in this not happening too. Perhaps in the more arid regions, there should be a moratorium on swimming pools? More education on the use of native plants?Well, end of rant. Gardening should be a joyful exercise and I feel for those of you suffering with the angst of watering woes.

There was a house for sale across the street from me in 2008. It was one of those project houses...needed a total gut job. A nice couple bought it as an investment house. They toiled all spring and summer fixing up the house. The did a fabulous job. New hardwood maple flooring, real plaster walls (instead of drywall--they wanted to stay true to the age of the house), fabulous wood trim. It was an extremely nice DIY renovation. The DIY couple, rented the house out in August to a 20 something couple that worked at a local university. All was good. The young couple fit in our neighborhood great and they seemed happy. Christmas 2008. The young couple goes away for 2 weeks to visit family. When they get home after New Year's they find the house completely flooded. The plaster walls and ceiling have fallen down. The lovely maple floors are in waves. All of their belongs are ruined. Mold is growing up the walls. They go around to the neighbors asking for help. Young couple has no real tools, or even a decent mop. The entire neighborhood pitches into to help them out. We give the young couple a place to stay. The landlords finally arrive...having to the longest 10 hour drive of their lives to get back and see the mess. Turns out a pipe burst in an upstairs bathroom because it was on an outside wall and wasn't insulated correctly. The house is deemed uninhabitable until repairs are made. The young couple finds a new place to live. The landlords start the fight with the insurance company. Their claim is denied. They get a lawyer and continue to fight. Eventually, the claim is accepted. The landlord couple spends the entire summer of 2009 doing what they just did a year ago. A new young couple moves in August 2009. But this year will be different because the landlords installed an automatic shut off leak detection valve. They told us it was pretty expensive but it sure beats doing the rehab yet again. Now, when we go away, we turn the water off at the main, open the faucets and flush the toilets. We have our heat on and have neighbors check on our cat daily. We don't drain anything, but at least if something bursts the water can't just continue to run. So far so good. I will never forget walking into the house across the street last winter. Seeing the plaster walls, insulation and everything from the 2nd floor on the 1st floor with mold growing up the walls was one of those visions I'll remember forever. I'd really like to get one of the automatic leak detector valves for my house too.