Apiaceae

Conium maculatum

Common Names: Hemlock

Plant Form: Upright annual herb. Size: 1-2.5 m tall. Stem: Robust, light green, hollow, waxy-looking, spotted with purple to reddish-brown blotches. Leaves: Alternately arranged large 30-50 cm long triangular in outline but very deeply divided giving fern-like appearance. Have acrid smell if crushed. Flowers: Typical carrot family (Apiaceae) flowers, large clusters of many small branching white flowers arranged in circular pattern giving overall umbrella like shape. Fruit and Seeds: Small, oval shaped 2.5-4 mm long with 10 ribs. Containing up to 40000 of more microscopic seeds. Habitat: Riparian areas, waste areas, roadsides, pastures, stockyards. Distinguishing Features: Differs from Wild carrot (Daucus carota) and others in carrot family in being much larger and with purplish blotches on stem. Impacts: Highly toxic when ingested and can easily kill humans by poisoning.