AI overview
Conium maculatum, commonly known as hemlock, is a poisonous plant in the carrot family that is native to Europe but has spread to many other parts of the world. It matters because it is highly toxic to humans and livestock, making it a significant public health and agricultural concern, and it is also considered an invasive species in many regions where it damages native ecosystems.
AI-generated from the Wikipedia summary — may contain errors.
Taxonomy · GBIF
SPECIES
- KingdomPlantae
- PhylumTracheophyta
- ClassMagnoliopsida
- OrderApiales
- FamilyApiaceae
via GBIF · CC0
Article
Conium maculatum, commonly known as hemlock (British English) or poison hemlock (in North America), is a highly poisonous flowering plant and a nitrophile weed species in the carrot family Apiaceae.
The plant is herbaceous, with no woody parts, and has a biennial lifecycle. Under the right conditions, the plant grows quite rapidly during the growing season and can reach heights of 2.4 metres (8 feet) with a long penetrating root. The plant has a distinctive odour that is usually considered unpleasant and carries with the wind. The hollow stems are usually spotted dark maroon and turn dry and brown after the plant completes its biennial lifecycle.