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| Conium maculatum |
| Family: Apiaceae (Carrot) |
| Flowers — color: white, size: 1/8", type: 5 petals |
Poison Hemlock's flower has five white petals, about 1/8" diameter. The showy compound umbel [umbrella-like cluster] holds dozens of flowers, with a diameter that may reach two inches. A spray of clusters develop at the end of branches, so this is showy.
Habit:
Showy and harmful, Poison Hemlock reaches heights of six to ten feet and may spread several feet wide. Each fern-like leaf is multiply pinnate — composed of opposing pairs of leaflets that become smaller near the tip. Each leaflet is itself pinnate, each lobe with deeply notches.
Considered an invasive weed, hemlock spreads quickly and crowds native plants. References call it bienniel (two years), but in our area it seems to die back every year. The last photo shows this year's growth catching up to the skeletons of last year. It is highly poisonous to humans and livestock. Hemlock may cause contact dermatitis in sensitive individuals.
Observations:
Open sunny areas, especially near the VVCSD driveway at St. Andrews and the oilfield driveway farther east.