Plants 1-2 m tall, branched. Stem fistular. Leaves 2-3-pinnate; leaflets lanceolate to oval, 3-5 cm long, 3 mm to 1 cm broad; margin serrate. Involucral bracts lacking. Rays c. 15, 4-6 cm long. Involucel of linear bractlets. Fruit ovoid, 2-3 mm long; ridges corky. Inner seed face slightly concave.

Type locality: Described from Europe.

Distribution: It has a wide distribution in Europe and Asia. It is found in Kash¬mir and is to be expected in W. Pakistan.

Water hemlock is very poisonous. The fruits and the roots contain cicutoxin and the drug prepared from the plant is used in the treatment of epilepsy.