Crew Wellness: Poison Hemlock

It's that time of year when we often shoot outdoors, like at parks, farms, in the woods, etc. Some of the "traditional" outdoor hazards are things like poison ivy, bees, ticks, etc. Another hazard is Poison Hemlock.

A community of Poison Hemlock

The plant is highly toxic. All parts of it are toxic. It can be fatal if eaten. Handling the plant requires protective gear like gloves so the skin is not exposed to the toxic sap. Like Poison Ivy, even the dead plant is toxic. Burning the plant will create toxic fumes.

It is an invasive plant that has been spreading in the US for a very long time, but I've never noticed it before in Kentucky until 3 years ago. There was some growing along my favorite running trail here in Lexington, KY. Since then, it has spread prolifically. There is logarithmically more Poison Hemlock growing around where I live than 3 years ago.

Poison Hemlock is a late spring/early summer plant. Here in Kentucky, it is blooming right now. By mid-summer the plants will have all died back. Sometimes, you will see a solitary plant, but it mostly in grows in communities or clusters of plants. Some of these communities can be quite large. The plant grows rapidly to a height of around 6 feet.

Though the greatest hazard is ingesting the plant (which should be an unlikely scenario), people should avoid contact and handling of the plant.

For me, if a DP wanted me to place a light in a community of Poison Hemlock, I would say no.

Fortunately it is not hard to identify the plant. It is somewhat unique in appearance: large late spring/early summer 2-8' tall; white blossoms; carrot-like/fern like leaves; and most unique, the stalks have a mottled purplish color.