poison hemlock

Conium maculatum

Poison hemlock is a tall plant with pretty white flowers that can be found in some fields and along roadsides. It is very important to remember that this plant is not safe to touch or eat!

Hábitat: Wetlands

Aspecto

The poison hemlock has hollow stems marked with distinctive purple blotches, and finely divided, fern-like leaves. Its small white flowers grow in flat-topped clusters resembling tiny umbrellas.

ReinoPlantaeFiloTracheophytaClaseMagnoliopsidaOrdenApialesFamiliaApiaceaeGéneroConium

poison hemlock

Categoría

Plantas

Rareza

Rare

Peligro

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Datos interesantes

Even touching poison hemlock can cause a rash or skin irritation for some sensitive people.

Its scientific name, Conium, means “whirl” or “dizzy” in Greek, describing its effect.

Socrates, a famous ancient Greek, was condemned to die by drinking poison hemlock.

This plant is often mistaken for edible wild carrots or parsley, which is very dangerous!

Habilidades especiales

Poison hemlock produces potent alkaloids, helping it defend against almost all hungry animals that try to eat it.

Poison hemlock can rapidly grow and spread in disturbed soils, helping it quickly outcompete native plants for space.

Poison hemlock produces thousands of tiny seeds per plant, ensuring its successful reproduction and wide dispersal.

Medidas y detalles

Altura: 100-300 cm
Extensión: 50-100 cm
Tamaño de la flor: 0.2-0.5 cm
Temporada de floración: Late spring to summer
Comestible: No
Toxicidad: Deadly
Ciclo de vida: Bienal
Método de polinización: Insectos

Conexiones ecológicas

pollinates

European honey bee

Apis mellifera

Visits flowers, but nectar can be toxic.

pollinates

house fly

Musca domestica

One of many generalist insect pollinators.

eats

willow-carrot aphid

Cavariella aegopodii

Specialized aphid feeds on its sap.

Rasgos

Manchado

Marcado con manchas o parches de un color diferente.

Floración

Las plantas con flores son cualquier planta que produce flores como parte de su ciclo reproductivo.

Bienal

Las plantas bienales completan su ciclo de vida en dos temporadas de crecimiento, formando típicamente follaje en el primer año y floreciendo o semillando en el segundo.

Humedal

Este rasgo de hábitat identifica especies que se encuentran en humedales, que son áreas de tierra saturadas de agua, ya sea permanente o estacionalmente, e incluyen marismas, pantanos y ciénagas.