Identify Poison Hemlock

Baby poison hemlock plants look a lot like leather leaf ferns, as they grow and mature, they shoot up to 5, 6 7,8 feet or taller!

They have a large umbrella-like cluster of white flowers, and tall green and purple-colored stems.

The musty odor is usually prominent in warmer weather. I would not recommend smelling the plant to see if it is musty or not. I did this once and had diarrhea for 3 days.

Chances are if you suspect it is Poison Hemlock, it probably is.

How do you get rid of poison hemlock?

– If you’re lucky enough to find it growing in its natural habitat, you should leave it alone.

– To get rid of poison hemlock in a small area within your own yard, safely dig it up as much as possible. Add to a plastic bag, tie up and take to dump. Apply 3 to 4 inches of USDA Certified Organic Compost and/or Soil onto of the area. You will need to apply to surrounding grounds because hemlock will sprout up everywhere within a close range of an existing plant.

– You can cover the entire ground and area with a thick black plastic. Lay large rocks or heavy objects on the plastic to keep it as close to the ground as possible.

– Leave the plastic cover for at least a week.

– Then apply the USDA Certified Organic Soil or Compost.

Where is poison hemlock found in the US?

Hemlock is found close to water sources. Currently, Poison Hemlock is found in all 52 states in the United States of America.

What are the effects of poison hemlock?

– Death

– Nausea

– Faint

– Heart Palpitations

– Diarrhea

How much hemlock is poisonous to humans?

Some humans can die after eating one leaf of this toxic plant. Others will have mild effects like nausea and heart palpitations.

Poison Hemlock Identification

Poison hemlock is a deadly plant native to North America, but its toxic sap can be fatal if ingested. Here’s how to tell if you accidentally picked up some poison hemlock plants and flowers:

1. Severe abdominal pain

2. Nausea

3. Vomiting

4. Diarrhea

5. Difficulty breathing

6. Convulsions and/or coma

7. Tingling or numbness around mouth

8. Rapid heartbeat

9. Blurred vision

10. Swelling of face, neck, arms, hands, legs, feet

11. Rash

12. Bleeding from nose, eyes, ears

13. Red, swollen tongue

14. Cyanosis (blue skin color)

You can find out more information about identifying Poison Hemlock in this video below:

Learn how to organically manage Poison Hemlock and other toxic weeds here: https://beehabitat.com/how-to-go-organic/