Poison Hemlock

Conium maculatum

This plant, a member of the Carrot family, resembles others such as Wild Carrot (Daucus carota); like them, it has very finely cut, multiply compound leaves, resembling those of ferns, and flattish umbels (about 4 inches across) of small white flowers. The leaves are large near the base, up to 15 inches long, smaller ascending the stems; if crushed, they exude an unpleasant odor.  It can be distinguished from other members of the Carrot family by the smooth green or purplish stems with darker purple spots (see photo below). It also often grows very tall (Wild Carrot, by comparison, seldom exceeds 3 feet.)

As the name implies, this plant is highly poisonous; to eat even a small part of it can be fatal to humans.

2-8 feet, partial sun.

Summer (June-August).

  Note the purplish stems with darker purple spots.

19 June 2020.

Poison Hemlock, 19 June 2020.