Plants that Look like Poison Hemlock is one the toxic plants of the carrot family and are found in the unattended areas like roadside, near water bodies, sunny area, fields and empty pots. These plants are very dangerous and even if consumed a little by mistake can kill a person, livestock and wildlife.
The stems of poison hemlock have reddish and purple spots and are not hairy and the tiny flowers of the hemlocks are of white and yellow color and are umbrella shaped, the plant has a strong musty smell when crushed for good.
Poison hemlock plants grow up to 6 to 10 feet tall from the ground and germinate 3 to 5 flowers per stem. Poison hemlock plants in the initial stage look a lot like carrot plants so make sure do not get confused and consume the wrong plant.
Poison hemlock is purely toxic and once consumed the horrifying effects can be seen within 20 minutes to 4 hours Therefore it is important to know plants that look like poison hemlock for your safety.
Toxicity
The poison hemlock is a very dangerous plant and should not be ignored if it is growing somewhere near you, these are wild plants and hence contain a lot of toxicity in them especially in sunny areas. Consumption of the flower is something to be worried about as it direct affects the respiratory system and skin.
While mowing out the plant make sure you are cautious to wear gloves and take breaks as it won’t allow the toxins to be absorbed by the skin when mowing the plant.
For different living beings there are different symptoms like in Humans dizziness, trembling and dilation of pupils can be marked. In Animals rapid pulse, less coordination, nervous trembling, coma and paralysis can be seen. Quick treatment can be done to rescue and reduce the effects of poisonous hemlock.
Now for your better understanding and awareness let me take you through plants that look like poison hemlock.
Plants that Look like Poison Hemlock
There are some plants that resemble with poison hemlock and you better get a hold of it.
1. Queen Anne’s lace
Though these two plants look a lot similar thankfully there are some differences to mark to not get confused. For starter the plant has hairy stem structure unlike poison hemlock and do not have purple blotches. Though the flower of both of the plants are same white colored and it also belongs to the carrot family.
2. Cow Parsley
To mark the slight difference cow parsley has pink stems that are slightly hairy and have a groove in them. Be aware that it can also closely resemble hemlock but it still a poisonous plant. It grows shorter than the hemlock plant and the stems are rigid and tough in nature and also the hair of the stem grow underside of leaves. This makes the two plants different from one another yet somewhat similar.
3. Yarrow
Yarrow is a flowering plant and grow up to 1 meter tall from the ground. It finds a lot of similarity with queen Anne’s plant and can be easily mistaken for one another. The two wildflowers grow about the same height. Common yarrow (Achillea millefolium) leaves are feathery and ferny and the plant is much smaller, about 3 feet and has a pungent odor.
4. Giant Hogweed
Giant hogweed grows much taller than poison hemlock, up to 15 to 20 feet in height from ground level, and it is as invasive and toxic as poison hemlock. There are four different varieties, with spotted water hemlock (Cicuta maculata) being the most common. Poison hemlock and giant hogweed even have the nearly similar apperance as one another.
5. Angelica
Plants that Look like Poison Hemlock and angelica share the some purple-ish stems and but the stems of angelica are not hairy in nature. The leaves of angelica plant are pointy and sharp and not smooth at all.
Above mentioned are the names to the question plants that look like poison hemlock. So be attentive and aware of your surroundings especially if you have pets and children at home.
Doubts Resolved
Q1. What can be mistaken for hemlock?
A1. Along with plants mentioned above many others can be mistaken for hemlock like fennel, parnship , sambucus canadenesis, tall meadow rue are some names.
Q2. What plant looks like Queen Anne’s lace but is poisonous?
A2. Yarrow plant looks a lot like Queen Anne’s lace and is also poisonous.
Q3. How to tell the difference between poison hemlock and Queen Anne’s lace?
A3. Though these two plants look a lot similar thankfully there are some differences to mark to not get confused. For starter the plant has hairy stem structure unlike poison hemlock and do not have purple blotches. Though the flower of both of the plants are same white colored and it also belongs to the carrot family.
Q4. What is the difference between poison hemlock and yarrow?
A4. Yarrow is a flowering plant and grow up to 1 meter tall from the ground. It finds a lot of similarity with queen Anne’s plant and can be easily mistaken for one another. The two wildflowers grow about the same height. Common yarrow (Achillea millefolium) leaves are feathery and ferny and the plant is much smaller, about 3 feet and has a pungent odor.
Q5. What to do if you touch Plants that Look like Poison Hemlock?
A5. The only mindful solution is to quickly seek for medical attention if you have touched poison hemlock.
Q6. Describe about Plants that Look like Poison Hemlock leaves?
A6. Plants that Look like Poison Hemlock leaves are bright green color, fern like, pointy, finely divided and toothed on edges.
Q7. Poison hemlock VS wild carrot?
A7. Wild carrot has hairy stems, and poison hemlock does not. Keep in mind that poison hemlock will stay low as a rosette in its first year, and the stem spots can be hard to see.
Q8. What is Poison hemlock rash?
A8. Plants that Look like Poison Hemlock is surprising to know that you won’t get a rash from touching the plant , it is only when you consume it that causes harm.