Also known as Carrot-Fern · Cigue Maculee · Common Hemlock
Safety note: This plant may be toxic to humans and pets. See toxicity details.
Conium maculatum, Poison Hemlock, is a highly toxic biennial herb. It features white umbrella-shaped flowers and fern-like leaves. All parts contain deadly coniine alkalo
At-a-glance light, water, soil, and growing conditions from plant data
Full sun to partial shade.
100% intensity
Tolerates moist to dry conditions, highly adaptable.
100% intensity
Adaptable to various soil types, prefers moist, well-drained loams.
50% intensity
Highly adaptable to various temperate climates.
100% intensity
Outdoor
50% intensity
No fertilizer required; thrives in poor soils.
0% intensity
Safety information from plant toxicity data
| Attribute | Value |
|---|---|
| Toxic for humans | Yes 5/5 intensity |
| Toxic for pets | Yes 5/5 intensity |
| Edible | No |
All parts of Conium maculatum, especially seeds and roots, contain highly toxic piperidine alkaloids like coniine, N-methylconiine, and gamma-coniceine. Ingestion causes nervous system paralysis, leading to respiratory failure and death in humans and live
Key traits and growing stats from plant data
Watering, pruning, propagation, and repotting details from plant data
Poison Hemlock is highly adaptable and can thrive in a range of moisture conditions, from consistently moist to relatively dry soils.
It does not require supplemental watering once established, relying on natural rainfall. Overwatering is rarely an issue in its natural habitat, but prolonged drought can stress the plant, though it often recovers.
Pruning Poison Hemlock is primarily a control measure to prevent seed production and limit its spread. It is crucial to cut the plant at its base before it flowers and sets seeds.
Always wear heavy-duty protective gloves, long sleeves, and eye protection, as contact with the sap can cause severe skin irritation. Regular mowing can also help manage populations in non-cultivated areas effectively.
Poison Hemlock primarily propagates by seed. Each plant can produce thousands of seeds that remain viable in the soil for several years. Seeds are dispersed by wind, water, animals, and contaminated equipment.
It does not typically propagate vegetatively from root fragments or cuttings, making seed control the most effective management strategy.
Repotting is entirely inapplicable for Poison Hemlock, as it is a dangerous, invasive weed and not a plant cultivated in pots. Its robust taproot system makes transplanting impractical and ill-advised.
Any attempt to handle or relocate this plant should be avoided due to its extreme toxicity. The focus should always be on safe eradication rather than any form of cultivation or repotting.
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Monthly activity intensity for bloom and fruit across both hemispheres.
Flowering & fruiting calendar
Flowering & fruiting calendar
Photos of Poison Hemlock (Conium maculatum)
Common names and botanical synonyms
Botanical classification
| Rank | Name |
|---|---|
| kingdom | Plantae |
| division | Tracheophyta |
| class | Magnoliopsida |
| order | Apiales |
| family | Apiaceae |
| genus | Conium |
| species | Conium maculatum |
Answers based on plant encyclopedia data
