What is this? It just popped up at the edge of the pile of topsoil we bought last year. Similar to Queen Anne's Lace but the "branches come out close to the base almost fernlike, and there is a bump where another stem is branching off the main stem about half way up. I wonder if it is the poisonous QA Lace lookalike?
IT IS! OH MY GOODNESS!
We got an ID just now and it even already has purple spots in places!
"Poison hemlock (Conium maculatum) is a biennial species that is commonly found in pastures and along railroad rights-of-way but is becoming more common in no-till fields. During its first year of growth, poison hemlock forms a rosette (a dense cluster of leaves growing close to the ground), then bolts to produce seed during its second year. The leaves are alternate, four to five times compound, and toothed, giving the leaves a "lacy" appearance. The stems are smooth and hollow, with purplish spots or blotches. The entire plant is poisonous."
Notoriously poisonous plant families
Apiaceae ("umbellifers", the carrot family)
Despite the presence of celery and carrots in this family, many members of the family are highly poisonous.Poison hemlock (Conium maculatum) is probably the most famous poisonous member of this family. Although not native to the United States, it has become established here and is a fairly common roadside weed. It can grow up to 3 meters (10 feet) tall and is easily recognized by the purple splotches on its stem. Contact with this plant can cause dermatitis, so wear gloves when pulling it.
The plant's fame comes from its use in the execution of the famous Greek philosopher, Socrates, who was made to drink an extract from the plant.
It is acutely toxic to people and animals.
Clinical signs. The clinical course is rapid, and animals may be found dead or die within a few hours. Initial consumption may cause a burning sensation in the mouth, salivation, emesis and diarrhea. Rapidly developing neurologic signs include muscle tremors, muscular weakness, dim vision, convulsions and coma. Death results from respiratory failure. Frequent urination and defecation may also occur. All parts of the poison hemlock plant are highly toxic to humans and animals and may result in death if ingested. Most of the recent cases of human poisoning have resulted from mistaking poison hemlock with edible species of the carrot family. Livestock poisoning usually occurs from the presence of poison hemlock in hay or when pastures are overgrazed and other sources of food have been depleted.
Poison hemlock can also cause birth defects in ruminants and swine, with cattle and swine more susceptible than sheep and goats. The most often reported birth defects are cleft palate and spinal abnormalities. The gestational ages that have been associated with birth defects are: for goats, days 30 through 60; for cattle, days 40 through 70; for pigs, days 30 through 60.
My daughter put on gloves and disposed ogf it for me. To be honest, I felt a pang of remorse that I couldn't keep it. After all, how cool is that to have the same plant that killed Socrates? (NO! Not really, I'm kidding.) I could not live with myself if a child ever got poisoned by a plant on my property. And if a child ate this one they would die.
This message was edited May 18, 2008 5:44 PM
I thought it looked like wild carrot. Glad you got rid of it.
Brenda
