Poison hemlock is in bloom in Western Pennsylvania and -- while pretty -- it's 'a very toxic plant'

[FakeNoose]

Pittsburgh Post-Gazette link: https://www.post-gazette.com/news/health/2023/06/24/poison-hemlock-pa/stories/202306250077

Last month, Aspinwall officials got a report from a resident that they didn’t quite know what to do with: a patch of poison hemlock was growing in the borough’s Fireman’s Memorial Park, on a walking trail next to a playground.

“We were surprised and confused,” said Aspinwall borough manager Melissa O’Malley. “We’ve had that park for over 50 years and we’ve never had to deal with it.”

Poison hemlock is a highly toxic plant in the carrot family that can grow up to 12 feet tall. If any part of the plant is ingested, it can cause dizziness, paralysis and even death from respiratory failure. Touching the plant causes a rash in some people, and inhaling particles from the plant or having sap from the plant come in contact with cuts can also be dangerous.

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The plant is a biennial, meaning that it takes two years to complete its life cycle. In year one, poison hemlock grows as a small rosette, just leaves close to the ground in a circular pattern. In year two, a thick stem with distinctive purple blotches shoots up, and the plant flowers and drops seed. A single plant can produce more than 30,000 seeds, which can stay in the soil for years. The best time to control the plant with an herbicide is in its first year or early in the second year. By the time it shoots up in year two, controlling it chemically is ineffectual.

- more at link -

If only the stink bugs and the spotted lanternflies would just go build their nests on the poison hemlock plants, all our problems would be solved.

[TreasonousBastard]

1. How's that project going? The one to mix hemlock leaves with...

freshly washed spinach and Romaine to serve at the salad course at the next Republican dinner.

[FakeNoose]

2. I think Shakespeare had it figured out

[gab13by13]

3. Never eat anything that grows under a pine tree.

[druidity33]

4. Looks like a big Queen Annes Lace...

which is also poisonous. The article doesn't actually have a good photo or link to a good photo...

https://www.desmoinesregister.com/story/news/local/montezuma/2016/06/24/poison-hemlock-here/86330242/

[FakeNoose]

5. This is helpful, thanks!

Also it helps to know that Queen Anne's lace should be avoided as well. I don't think I ever knew that.

[bamagal62]

10. I thought florists used Queen Anne's lace

I had no idea it was also poisonous.

[RAB910]

6. THIS

[usonian]

7. I grew up with Queen Anne's Lace in New England. It's densely packed, and the hemlock is sparser.

Got it in the Sierras now.

I think these two tell the story nicely.





Nothing like the poison oak.

[FakeNoose]

8. Big help with these photos

Thank you!

I'm pretty sure there's some hemlock growing on an empty city lot where I walk my dog every day. All this time I thought it was Queen Anne's Lace. And I got a strange rash a few months ago, now I'm wondering ....

[The Blue Flower]

9. My plant ID app told me I had poison ivy and pokeweed, both toxic

I'm waiting for a heavy rain tonight so I can pull out the pokeweed tomorrow. The plant was getting huge and I have it in both front and back yards. The app is called 'Seek'. I'm in central Virginia.

[FakeNoose]

11. Be sure to wear gloves, long sleeves and long pants

I've had many tussles with poison ivy over the years, but I don't know if I've ever dealt with pokeweed.

Good luck!

[twodogsbarking]

12. Don't burn it.