Poison Hemlock and Water Hemlock

As the common name implies, Poison Hemlock (Conium maculatum) was used in ancient Athens to deal with those who were guilty of "crimes against the state." This perennial is common in our area this time of year, and has fernlike leaves and a distinctive purple blotching on the stems (see below). They grow tall (up to 6 feet) in ditches and disturbed fields that are moist.

The Conium name refers to the toxic alkaloids in the plant. Do not touch this plant! It's so toxic even a tiny amount of sap, leaf, or seed can cause severe sickness.

I found these plants at the Jackson Bottom Wetlands on 6/10/2013. The very similar Water Hemlock (Cicuta douglasii) is also common in our area. This plant is also very toxic. Note the name after David Douglas, the Scottish botanist who collected plants in the Northwest (1825) for the Horticultural Society of London.

Oddly these plants and the similar Queen Anne's Lace (not yet blooming) are members of the Carrot family.