How much sun does Musquashroot need?

Musquashroot grows best in part sun conditions.

When does Musquashroot bloom?

Musquashroot blooms in July, August, and September.

Where is Musquashroot native?

Musquashroot (Cicuta maculata) is native to AL, AR, AZ, CA and 44 more states, per vouchered herbarium specimen records and regional native plant society lists.

Is Musquashroot toxic to dogs?

Yes. Musquashroot is listed as toxic to dogs by the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center (aspca.org). If your pet has been exposed, call the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center at (888) 426-4435.

Is Musquashroot toxic to cats?

Yes. Musquashroot is listed as toxic to cats by the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center (aspca.org). If your cat has been exposed, call the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center at (888) 426-4435.

What pollinators does Musquashroot attract?

Musquashroot draws bees, beetles, and flies.

Is Musquashroot HOA-friendly?

Musquashroot takes more care to look intentional in a front yard. Consider it for backyard or mid-zone beds rather than the street edge.

Musquashroot

Name: Pollinator Patch
Author: Pollinator Patch

Cicuta maculata

Last reviewed: October 2026

Musquashroot is toxic to dogs and cats.

Listed as toxic by the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center (opens in new tab) (last reviewed 2026-05-21). If your pet has been exposed, call the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center at (888) 426-4435 and your veterinarian's emergency line.

Pollinator Patch flags toxic plants so you can choose a pet-safe native alternative for your yard.

Native swaps for a yard with pets

Musquashroot is listed as toxic to dogs by the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center. These natives fill a similar role in a planting and are not on the ASPCA toxic plant list for dogs or cats. Each plant's page carries its dated record.

Light

part sun

Water

high

Size

24"–96" H × 12"–24" W

Bloom

Jul, Aug, Sep

Native to

AL, AR, AZ, CA and 44 more states

Pollinators

bees, beetles, flies

Before you buy

Your city may pay you to plant this

Cities and water utilities offer rebates for replacing lawn with native and water-wise plants. We track 459 programs across 44 states, each with a link to the provider and the date we last checked it.

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Browse plants for this ecoregion

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Musquashroot is a tall native wetland perennial that produces clusters of small white flowers in summer and fall. This plant thrives in consistently moist to wet soils and partial sun conditions. It grows quite large, reaching up to 8 feet tall in optimal conditions.

In an HOA neighborhood

Musquashroot takes more care to keep looking intentional in a front yard. Maintenance level: high. Consider it for backyard or mid-zone beds rather than the street edge.

Extremely toxic to humans and animals if ingested
Can grow very tall and appear uncontrolled
Requires consistently wet conditions that may create maintenance issues

Wildlife value

The summer flowers attract various pollinators including native bees, beetles, and flies. This plant provides valuable nectar resources during the mid to late growing season.

Common questions

How much sun does Musquashroot need?: Musquashroot grows best in part sun conditions.
When does Musquashroot bloom?: Musquashroot blooms in July, August, and September.
Where is Musquashroot native?: Musquashroot (Cicuta maculata) is native to AL, AR, AZ, CA and 44 more states, per vouchered herbarium specimen records and regional native plant society lists.
Is Musquashroot toxic to dogs?: Yes. Musquashroot is listed as toxic to dogs by the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center (aspca.org). If your pet has been exposed, call the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center at (888) 426-4435.
Is Musquashroot toxic to cats?: Yes. Musquashroot is listed as toxic to cats by the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center (aspca.org). If your cat has been exposed, call the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center at (888) 426-4435.
What pollinators does Musquashroot attract?: Musquashroot draws bees, beetles, and flies.
Is Musquashroot HOA-friendly?: Musquashroot takes more care to look intentional in a front yard. Consider it for backyard or mid-zone beds rather than the street edge.

Native range data from vouchered herbarium specimen records and regional native plant society lists. Pollinator and host plant associations compiled from GBIF, iNaturalist, and published ecological literature.

If something looks wrong

Common plant problems, and what to check first

These come up on almost any plant. Each guide lists the likely causes in the order they are worth ruling out, with one thing to check before you act on any of them, and links to the source it came from.

See all plant problem guides

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