Minnesota Wildflowers


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Conium maculatum (Poison Hemlock)

Plant Info
Also known as:
Genus:Conium
Family:Apiaceae (Carrot)
Life cycle:biennial
Origin:Europe
Status:
  • Invasive - ERADICATE!
Habitat:sun; moist soil, along shores, fields, roadsides, disturbed soil
Bloom season:June - August
Plant height:3 to 8 feet
County distribution (click map to enlarge):Minnesota county distribution map
Spotted in Ramsey County at:

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Detailed Information

Flower: 5-petals flat

[photo of flowers] Flowers are in flat clusters (umbels) about 3 inches across. Individual flowers are about 1/8 inch across and have 5 white petals of unequal size, usually notched and folded lengthwise. There are 5 stamens with white to yellowish tips, 1 between each petal. One plant has many clusters, at the ends of branching stems. The stems persist through the winter.

Leaves and stem: alternate compound

[photo of leaves] Leaves are 2 or 3 times compound, up to 12 inches long and wide, generally triangular in outline, becoming smaller as they ascend the stem. Leaflets are divided and fern-like, to 2 inches long and 1 inch wide.

[photo of stem] The main stem is light green and covered in purple spots

Fruit:

[photo of fruit] Fruit is an egg-shaped pod, about 1/8 inch long, covered in wavy ribs. It splits into 2 seeds.

Notes:

All parts of Poison Hemlock are deadly poisonous. This plant is easy to distinguish from other members of the carrot family by the feathery, double compound leaves, and the purple spotted stem.

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Map of native plant purveyors in the upper midwest

More photos

Photos taken at Long Lake Regional Park, New Brighton, MN July 2007 and June-July 2008

Comments

Have you seen this plant in Minnesota, or have any other comments about it?

Posted by: Mark in Vista Hills Park, Maplewood, MN
on: 2011-06-04 13:48:01

Found on both sides of the path leading to Marnie St from the southwest corner of the park, a couple hundred feet from the street.

Posted by: K. Chayka
on: 2011-06-18 12:42:54

Based on the images you sent, I would say what you found was Not poison hemlock after all, but sweet cicely. Many members of the carrot family have similar leaves, i.e. deeply divided and a bit feathery. Queen Ann's lace and Japanese hedge parsley are others. Looking at various plant parts and paying attention to small details can help narrow down an ID.

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