How do you identify a poison hemlock plant?

Poison-hemlock stems have reddish or purple spots and streaks, are not hairy, and are hollow. Leaves are bright green, fern-like, finely divided, toothed on edges and have a strong musty odor when crushed. Flowers are tiny, white and arranged in small, umbrella-shaped clusters on ends of branched stems.

What is hemlock plant used for?

Despite serious safety concerns, hemlock leaves, root, and seeds are used to make medicine. It is used for breathing problems including bronchitis, whooping cough, and asthma; and for painful conditions including teething in children, swollen and painful joints, and cramps. Hemlock is also used for anxiety and mania.

What poison is made from hemlock?

Hemlock contains conhydrine, N-methylconine, but its most poisonous alkaloid is coniine, which has a chemical structure similar to nicotine. This poison disrupts the central nervous system—a small dose can cause respiratory collapse.

How does poison hemlock grow?

Poison hemlock reproduces by seeds that fall near the plant and disperse via fur, birds, water, and, to a limited extent, wind. Most seeds fall from September through December, but they can fall as late as the end of February.

What does the hemlock tree look like?

Hemlock trees are dark green (and often appear darker than pines) and have somewhat droopy, lacy-looking branches. They can be found in beech-maple forests, coniferous swamps, forested dunes (usually north facing), and along river corridors.

What does poison hemlock root look like?

You can identify poison-hemlock by the purplish or reddish splotches on its stems and its musty smell. Poison-hemlock roots may look like white carrots. Photo courtesy of springfieldmn.blogspot.com. Stems are hairless and hollow.

What is hemlock tree?

hemlock, (genus Tsuga), any of about 14 species of coniferous evergreen trees comprising the genus Tsuga of the family Pinaceae, native to North America and central and eastern Asia. Some are important timber trees, and many are popular ornamentals.

What are the effects of poison hemlock?

The general symptoms of hemlock poisoning are effects on nervous system (stimulation followed by paralysis of motor nerve endings and CNS stimulation and later depression), vomiting, trembling, problems in movement, slow and weak later rapid pulse, rapid respiration, salivation, urination, nausea, convulsions, coma and …

Who died of hemlock poisoning?

death of Socrates
The death of Socrates in 399 BCE, as reported by Plato in the Phaedo, is usually attributed to poisoning with common hemlock.

What hemlock looks like?

There are many plants that look similar to poison hemlock including fennel, chervil, anise, coltsfoot and wild carrot. The most distinctive feature of poison hemlock is that the entire plant is hairless.

What is a hemlock tree look like?

How to identify poison hemlock and its lookalikes?

– The elevation at which the plant is growing could be a helpful clue, since poison hemlock is found up to around 9,000 feet and Osha is found higher in subalpine – Smell the leaves. If it smells musty its poisonous, if it smells more aromatic it’s probably Osha. – Look at the roots. – Look at the stem.

How to get rid of poison hemlock for good?

– Gastrointestinal upset – Vomiting – Excitation followed by weakness and depression – In worst-case scenarios, coma-like signs and significant respiratory distress, or shallow or difficult breathing.

Is poison hemlock a monocot?

Poison hemlock is a biennial that forms a rosette its first year, often going unnoticed, and then produces white umbel flowers (umbrella-like) on tall stems in the spring-summer of its second year. These types of flowers are common in the carrot family and are similar to wild carrot (also known as Queen Anne’s lace, Daucus carota ), which is

What is the antidote for poison hemlock?

To date, there is no antidote for hemlock poisoning. Treatment depends on the severity of your condition and your symptoms. If you’re having difficulty breathing, your doctor will look for ways to secure your airway and may assist with ventilation.