Nearctica - Eastern Wildflowers - Apiaceae - Poison Hemlock (Conium maculatum)

Poison Hemlock

(Conium maculatum)

Color Photographs: Copyright Nearctica.com, Inc.

Carum carvi

The stem lacks purple spots and the seeds smell of anise.

Conioselinum chinense

The stem lacks purple spots.

Poison Hemlock (Conium maculatum L.)

Alien: Introduced from Europe.

Identification: Flowers white, arranged in umbels. Umbels clearly subdivided into secondary clusters, secondary clusters without hanging bracts. Two small bracts usually present at the base of the umbel. Stem hollow, green, spotted with purple. Leaves heavily divided and subdivided, appearing fernlike. Juice foul smelling and extremely poisonous. Plant 2 to 6 feet in height.

Distribution: Throughout North America except Florida.

Habitat: Poison Hemlock is a species of disturbed habitats including old fields, roadside ditches, and empty lots.

Flowering period: June to August.

Note: Poison Hemlock is extremely deadly and is the plant used to kill Socrates in ancient Greek history.

Line Drawing: Britton, N.L., and A. Brown. 1913. An Illustrated Flora of the Northern United States and Canada, Second Edition.

Poison Hemlock (Conium maculatum)

Similar Species:

Caraway (Carum carvi)

Hemlock Parsley (Conioselinum chinense)

Similar Species