Kis Szabolcs, Molnár V Attila
HUN-REN-UD Conservation Biology Research Group, Department of Botany, University of Debrecen, Egyetem sq. 1., H-4032 Debrecen, Hungary.
Plants (Basel). 2025 Jan 21;14(3):315. doi: 10.3390/plants14030315.
The northern water hemlock is an endangered species that has been severely diminished in Hungary due to water regulation and river control in the 18th and 19th centuries. We collected data on this highly toxic plant from Hungary using archival sources, including digitized databases of daily and weekly newspapers and books. By exploring historical digital archives, we identified 88 locatable occurrence records spanning 65 flora mapping grids, 52 of which represent new additions to its known distribution. Between 1721 and 1943, a total of 103 records were found relating to its vernacular names. The most widespread names were (predominantly used in the Berettyó-Sárrét and Hortobágy regions), (Rétköz, Taktaköz, Ecsedi-láp), and (Fertő-Hanság region). Human poisonings caused by this species were primarily due to confusion with parsley, celery, and, less frequently, parsnips or carrots, occasionally resulting in the deaths of entire families. Children, in particular, were at risk when they accidentally consumed it raw as a snack. There have also been instances of intentional homicidal use and unintentional fatalities associated with its ethnomedicinal application. The plant was primarily used to treat scrofula (a form of tuberculosis-induced lymphoma) and for abortion.
北方水毒芹是一种濒危物种，在18和19世纪由于水资源调控和河流治理，其在匈牙利的数量已大幅减少。我们利用档案资料收集了有关这种剧毒植物在匈牙利的相关数据，这些资料包括日报和周报以及书籍的数字化数据库。通过探索历史数字档案，我们确定了88条可定位的出现记录，覆盖65个植物绘图网格，其中52条是其已知分布范围的新增记录。在1721年至1943年期间，共发现103条与其俗名相关的记录。最常见的名称是 （主要用于贝雷蒂奥 - 萨尔雷特和霍托巴吉地区）、 （雷特科兹、塔克塔克兹、埃切迪 - 拉普）和 （费尔特湖 - 汉萨格地区）。这种植物导致的人类中毒主要是由于与欧芹、芹菜混淆，偶尔也与防风草或胡萝卜混淆，偶尔会导致整个家庭死亡。特别是儿童，当他们不小心将其作为零食生吃时会面临风险。也有故意杀人使用以及与其民族药用相关的意外死亡案例。这种植物主要用于治疗瘰疬（一种由结核病引起的淋巴瘤）和堕胎。
