Speaking of poisons as I did yesterday, here’s a poisonous plant that’s probably growing in your neighborhood. In late June it’s five to eight feet tall.
Poison hemlock (Conium maculatum) is an invasive weed made famous for killing Socrates. Arrested and condemned to death, Socrates had to drink hemlock infusion as the capital punishment of ancient Greece. If you’re curious about what happened next, click here.
How do you know if it’s in your neighborhood? Look for a member of the carrot/parsley family that has purple splotches on its stems, as shown below.
Find out more in this vintage article from June 2011: It’s Best To Know What You’re Dealing With
(photos from Wikimedia Commons. Click on the images to see the originals)
That plant has been in my front yard for a few years. I had no idea what it was. Looks like I have one more weed to pull……
Scott G, be careful when you pull it! Don’t get it on your skin.
Thank you so much for all the information you give us! Especially interesting has been this about the plants! I learn so much from you! About so many things!
These are the kind of examples I use when someone claims something is safe, because it’s a “natural substance”.