Weed of the Week

8-4-08

Poison Hemlock, Conium maculatum

                 

Photo credits: William & Wilma Follette.  USDA NRCS.  1992.  Western wetland flora: Field office guide to plant species.  West Region, Sacramento.

 Characteristics:

Family: Apiaceae (Parsley family)

Origin: Native to Europe

Description:

• Biennial

• Grows 6-8 feet tall

Stems:

• Erect with purple spotting

• Extensively branched

• Hollow

Flowers:

• White umbrella like umbels

• Each flower supported by a stalk

Leaves:

• Lower leaves on long stalks clasping at the stem

• Shiny, green and finely pinnately divided three or four times

Fruit:

• Light brown

• 1/8" long

• Ribbed and concave

Additional information:

All parts of the plant are toxic.  Many children use them as "straws" due to the hollow nature of the stem and become poisoned.  People also mistake the plant for parsley and become poisoned.  Generally found along stream and ditch banks though it tolerates poor sites as well.

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