Friday, June 20, 2014

Poison Hemlock vs Look-a-Likes

I have been reading about this awful plant called poison hemlock and last year noticed a few of these plants in our pond pasture that looked like this plant. Today while feeding I noticed another growing right next to the automatic waterer in Ribbon's paddock. So just to check did some research. This is what I found out about Poison Hemlock:
Poison-hemlock is acutely toxic to people and animals. In western Washington, it is common on roadsides, in open fields, and in natural areas. Unrelated to the native evergreen hemlock tree, poison-hemlock can be deadly; it has gained notoriety through its use in the state execution of Socrates.Poison-hemlock can be confused with wild carrot (Daucus carota, or Queen Anne's Lace), as with many other members of the parsley family that resemble it. It has hairless hollow stalks with purple blotches. It can get quite tall, sometimes up to 8 feet or higher. It produces many umbrella-shaped flower clusters in an open and branching inflorescense. In contrast, wild carrot has one dense flower cluster on a narrow, hairy stem, usually with one purple flower in the center of the flower cluster, and is usually 3 feet tall or less. Poison-hemlock starts growing in the spring time, producing flowers in late spring, while wild carrot produces flowers later in the summer.

Poison-hemlock is acutely toxic to people and animals, with symptoms appearing 20 minutes to three hours after ingestion.  All parts of the plant are poisonous and even the dead canes remain toxic for up to three years.  The amount of toxin varies and tends to be higher in sunny areas.  Eating the plant is the main danger, but it is also toxic to the skin and respiratory system.  When digging or mowing large amounts of poison-hemlock, it is best to wear gloves and a mask or take frequent breaks to avoid becoming ill.  One individual had a severe reaction after pulling plants on a hot day because the toxins were absorbed into her skin.  The typical symptoms for humans include dilation of the pupils, dizziness, and trembling followed by slowing of the heartbeat, paralysis of the central nervous system, muscle paralysis, and death due to respiratory failure.  For animals, symptoms include nervous trembling, salivation, lack of coordination, pupil dilation, rapid weak pulse, respiratory paralysis, coma, and sometimes death.  For both people and animals, quick treatment can reverse the harm and typically there aren’t noticeable aftereffects. If you suspect poisoning from this plant, call for help immediately because the toxins are fast-acting – for people, call poison-control at 1-800-222-1222 or for animals, call your veterinarian.
This sounds terrible right? but after more research on poison hemlock look-a-likes  Then I was thinking it could be a plant called Giant Hogweed which isn't much better. This is what is written about Giant Hogweed:
Giant hogweed (Heracleum mantegazzianum) is a Federally listed noxious weed. Its sap, in combination with moisture and sunlight, can cause severe skin and eye irritation, painful blistering, permanent scarring and blindness. Contact between the skin and the sap of this plant occurs either through brushing against the bristles on the stem or breaking the stem or leaves.
Although maybe it could be Cow Parsnip: I did a few comparison pictures below
Poison Hemlock:
Giant Hogweed:
and finally the third choice Cow Parsnip
The leaves of the Poison Hemlock:
Giant Hogweed:
and finally Cow Parsnip:
Below are images of the plant I'm worried about.


This doesn't look like ANY of the plants above. Thankfully I'm pretty sure I can rule out Poison Hemlock or Giant Hogweed. Does anyone have any information on the plant above? 


4 comments:

  1. I realize this is two years old, but I just happened upon your post. Your plant is an elder. Sambucus sp. Probably black elder, Sambucus nigra

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  2. I realize this is two years old, but I just happened upon your post. Your plant is an elder. Sambucus sp. Probably black elder, Sambucus nigra

    ReplyDelete
  3. I agree with Sara. Sambucus.
    Thanks so much for the photos of Cow Parsnip! Great info!

    ReplyDelete