PLANT FIELD GUIDE PROFILE
Poison hemlock
Conium maculatum
A highly toxic plant that can resemble other members of the carrot family. Identification requires particular care.
Compare reference photographs
in the linked sources below.
What to look for
- Finely divided, fernlike leaves
- Hairless stems often marked with purple blotches
- Small white flowers in umbrella-shaped clusters
Look-alikes & identification limits
Wild carrot, parsley relatives, and other white-flowered plants. No single feature proves identification.
Growth & persistence
Typically a biennial that reproduces by seed.
Management considerations
Keep people and animals away from suspected plants and request an assessment before disturbing them. Prevent seed spread through a planned approach.
Ecology & landscape context
A non-native species with poisoning risks for people and livestock.
Use multiple identifying features and a reliable reference. This guide does not establish that a plant is edible or safe to touch, nor does it certify a property’s fire compliance. Request a site assessment before disturbing unknown or hazardous plants.