40 



Range and habitat. — Poison hemlock is rather common in waste places 

 and along roadsides, principally in the Eastern and Middle States. It 

 has been naturalized in this country from Europe. 



Description. — From the close resemblance of the leaves of this plant 

 to parsley, it is sometimes mistaken for the latter and fatal cases of 

 poisoning have occurred. All parts of the plant are exceedingly 

 poisonous. 



Poison hemlock belongs to the same family as the parsley, namely, 

 the ApiaceaB. It is a biennial, about 2 to 6 feet in height, with a 

 smooth, hollow stem dotted with purple, and large leaves very much 



like those of parsley. The nu- 

 merous small white flowers are 

 borne in rather showy umbels 

 (flat-topped clusters, with stems 

 from one point) and appear in 

 June and July. The fruit ripens 

 in August and September. The 

 fruit is grayish-green, ribbed, 

 about one-eighth of an inch long, 

 ovate, laterally flattened, and 

 smooth. 



The entire plant possesses a 

 disagreeable mousy odor, which 

 is especially noticeable when 

 bruised. 



Parts used. — The fruit and 

 leaves are the parts used. The 

 fruit should be collected while 

 still green but full grown, which 

 in most localities is some time in 

 August. It should be dried in 



CD 



dark but well ventilated places, 

 and then stored in tight cans or 

 boxes where it will not be ex- 

 posed to the action of light and air. 



The poison hemlock leaves should be collected when the plant is in 

 flower, which will be in the second year of its growth. The stems 

 should be rejected. Contrary to the usual method of drying leaves and 

 herbs, the poison hemlock leaves may be quickly dried in the sun and 

 then kept in tightly closed vessels. The leaves will retain their green 

 color if properly cured. The odor is ^till very disagreeable, l>ut not 

 so pronounced as in the fresh plant. 



This very poisonous drug is used in rheumatism, neuralgia, asthma, 

 and in cases where the nervous system i- -in an excited condition. 

 Imports and prices. — The imports of coniuin or poison hemlock seed 



1SS 



Fi<;. 28.— Poison hemlock {Conium mactdatum L.). 



