Hemlock

Hemlock is a very poisonous plant. In fact, all parts of the plant are toxic. Hemlock is most poisonous during the early stages of growth in the spring, but it is dangerous at all stages of growth. The poisons in hemlock are so deadly that people have died after eating animals that had eaten hemlock parts.

Hemlock is native to Europe and western Asia and was introduced into North America as an ornamental plant. It is frequently found in the US and southern Canada. Hemlock typically grows along streams or rivers, and near fences, roadsides, ditches, abandoned construction sites, pastures, crops, and fields. Some people have been poisoned by hemlock after confusing it for harmless plants. Accidental poisonings have occurred when people mistook the plant for parsnip, parsley, wild celery, or anise.

Despite serious safety concerns, hemlock is used for bronchitis, whooping cough, asthma, arthritis, and other conditions, but there is no good scientific evidence to support these uses.