Poisonous Plant In Full Bloom In PA: What To Know, How To Spot It

PENNSYLVANIA — A plant toxic to humans and animals is in full bloom in Pennsylvania.

Poison hemlock, a Class B noxious weed, is commonly found along roadsides, fields and wet areas, according to scientists with Penn State Extension. It is "extremely" poisonous to humans, the U.S. Department of Agriculture says.

Poison hemlock has white flowers that grow in small clusters.

According to the U.S. Department of Agriculture:

Each flower develops into a green, deeply ridged fruit that contains several seed. After maturity, the fruit turns grayish brown. Poison-hemlock starts growing in the early spring. It usually grows for 2 years, but in favorable locations it may be a perennial. Roots of poison-hemlock may easily be mistaken for wild parsnips. Poison-hemlock grows along fence lines, in irrigation ditches, and in other moist, waste places. It may be 2 to 3 meters tall. The hollow stem usually is marked with small purple spots. Leaves are delicate, like parsley, and it has a white taproot. Poison hemlock is a biennial in the parsnip or wild carrot family.

The plant, which was first brought to the United States from Europe as a garden plant, can be fatal to livestock and humans.

People could be poisoned by eating any part of a hemlock plant, the USDA said. "Often, poisoning occurs after the victim confuses hemlock root with wild parsnips, hemlock leaves with parsley, or hemlock seed with anise," information from that agency says.

Whistles made from hollow stems of poison hemlock have caused death in children, the USDA said.

Even just touching it can have negative impacts on humans. An Ohio man has been hospitalized in the ICU for more than a month after handling it while doing yard work, according to WKRC.

Anyone who handles poison hemlock should wear gloves and pants, experts advise.

Pennsylvania has offered this additional information on how to identify and treat the plant.

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