La hemlock It is a bi-annual cycle herb, that is, it germinates, blooms, bears fruit and finally withers in two years, which we can find in abandoned gardens, in rubble or even in the streets.
It may be pretty, but It is the most dangerous that inhabits the Iberian landscapes. It is very toxic since it has alkaloids such as coniin, which once ingested produce symptoms as serious as the paralysis of the sensory and motor nerves that lead to general paralysis.
What is hemlock like?
Hemlock, whose scientific name is Conium aculatum, is a herbaceous species native to Europe and North Africa that grows near water sources, such as rivers, as well as in abandoned lands with poor soils. It is characterized by reaching a height of between 1,5 and 2,5 meters in height, with hollow and striated stems which are covered with tripinnate and black-green leaves..
Its flowers are small, white, and appear in umbels between 10 and 15cm in diameter. Once they are pollinated, the seed is formed, which is small and blackish in color. The entire plant gives off a foul odor when broken or scrubbed.
Hemlock toxicity
This is a plant that it was used as a poison in Ancient Greece to end the lives of the damned. Toxic alkaloids are found throughout the plant, especially in the fruits. It also has the disadvantage that it is too similar to other plants that are edible, such as parsley, anise or carrot, so it is easy to confuse it.
However, when in doubt it is better not to approachAs we could end up suffering general paralysis if we overdosed. In the case of poisoning, the first symptoms are: nausea, vomiting, intestinal pain and difficulty speaking.
Hemlock is a dangerous herb, so don't take any chances.