Poison-hemlock (Conium maculatum)



  • Poison-hemlock Plant Mature 215x150

Category C Weed

Parsley family (Apiaceae)

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    Stem

    • Up to 10 ft. tall, green with purple spots, stout, hollow except at nodes and highly branched with lengthwise ridges

      Leaves

      • Triangular, 4-12 in. long, finely pinnate-divided (fern-like) and lack hair (glabrous); leaflets have toothed edges; foliage has a musty odor

        Flower

        • Small and white; arranged in umbrella-like clusters at end of a stalk

          Root

          • Thick, deep taproot

            Other

            • Grows best in moist sites; often infests crop fields, waterways, roadsides and waste areas; known to occur in all Nevada counties EXCEPT Clark, Lander, Mineral, Nye and Pershing

            • Biennial; reproduces by seed

            • Highly toxic to animals and humans when consumed

              Control

              • Repeated mowing or tillage prior to seed production is effective; hand-removal by cutting the taproot below the crown can also eliminate plants (avoid contact with skin)

              • An insect biological control agent is available

              • Apply 2,4-D, MCPA, glyphosate, chlorsulfuron or metsulfuron to young actively growing plants

                Images

                Poison-hemlock Plant Mature 215x150
                Mature Plant
                Poison-hemlock Plant Young 215x150
                Young Plant/basal
                Poison-hemlock Flower 215x150
                Flowers
                Poison-hemlock Stem 215x150
                Spotted stem
                Poison-hemlock Seedling 215x150
                Seedling
                Nevada Noxious Weed Field Guide
                Nevada Noxious Weed Guide