Conium maculatum Hemlock (Umbelliferae)

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Conium maculatum
Hemlock
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The Conium maculatum plant species is found in Britain. It is a member of the Umbelliferae family. Common gardeners may know the plant as Hemlock.

Cultivation | Propagation | General Uses
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Latin Name:  Conium maculatum
Common Name:  Hemlock
Family:  Umbelliferae
Author:  L.

Known Hazards:  A very poisonous plant, the toxins are especially concentrated in the seed[1, 7, 10, 19, 62, 76]. The stems contain up to 0.06% of the toic alkaloids, the leaves between 0.03 and 0.8%, the flowers from 0.09 to 0.24% and the green fruit from 0.73 to 0.98%[240]. The toxins, however, are very volatile and decompose readily[65], especially when the plant is dried or cooked[4]. The toxins paralyse the respiratory nerves, causing death by suffocation[238]. Children have been known to die after using the hollow stems as blowpipes[200].

Mature Height:  2   Mature Width:  1

Habitat:  Waste ground and in damp places, avoiding acid soils and heavy shade[7].

Cultivation Notes: A fairly common weed in Britain, it succeeds in most soils in sun or light shade and avoids acid soils in the wild. It prefers a damp rich soil[238]. This is the plant that Socrates is said to have used to kill himself, though this is probably an error[207]. It requires a large dose if it is to be lethal (this contradicts with the notes above on toxicity[K]), and death from this plant can be very painful whilst Socrates is said to have died without pain[207]. Another report says that poisonous doses cause paralysis, which starts at the feet and moves up the body. There is no pain, the mind remains clear and lucid until death, which is caused by asphyxia when paralysis reaches the chest[232]. The whole plant has a foetid smell[7].

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Cultivation | Propagation | General Uses
Medicinal | Edible Uses

The information above has been supplied solely via the hard work and dedication of the team at 'Plants for a Future'.
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