|
Kendall County (IL) Forest Preserve District Poison Hemlock The non-native (European) Poison Hemlock is common in our area. It prefers full sun to light shade and moist fertile loamy soil. Habitats are typically waste areas and roadsides. It is a biennial that in the 1st year consists of a rosette of basal leaves spanning about ¾–1½' across. In the 2nd year, it produces a flowering stalk that becomes 3-7' tall, branching occasionally above. The alternate leaves are double or triple pinnatly compound and up to 18" long and 12" across and have a fern-like appearance. The upper stems terminate in compound umbels of small white flowers. These compound umbels span about 2-5" across and consist of about 8-16 umbellets. Each umbellet consists of about 12-25 flowers. Individual flowers span only 1/8" across when they are fully open.
Poison Hemlock along Route 71 June 19, 2013
Poison Hemlock main stem along Route 71 June 19, 2013
Poison Hemlock along Route 71 June 19, 2013
Poison Hemlock at Maramech Forest Preserve July 7, 2016
Poison Hemlock compound leaf at
Maramech Forest Preserve July 7, 2016 Hemlock is a very poisonous plant. All parts of the plant are toxic. The poisons in hemlock are so deadly that people have died after eating game birds that had eaten hemlock seeds. Despite serious safety concerns, hemlock leaves, root, and seeds are used to make medicines for breathing problems including bronchitis, whooping cough, and asthma; and for painful conditions including teething in children, swollen and painful joints, and cramps. Reminder: see our Do Not Disturb Notice. Click here for more information. Copyright © 2011-2017 by Kendall County Forest Preserve District. All Rights Reserved. |
