The King County Noxious Weed Control Board encourages all property owners to remove poison-hemlock where possible and to avoid introducing it to new landscapes. For more information about noxious weed regulations and definitions, see Noxious weed lists and laws. On private property, control of poison-hemlock is recommended but not required in King County. Poison-hemlock is a Class B Noxious Weed on the Washington State Noxious Weed List that is selected for required control on public lands and public rights-of-way by the King County Noxious Weed Control Board. If you suspect poisoning from this plant, call for help immediately because the toxins are fast-acting – for people, call 911 or poison-control at 1-80 or for animals, call your veterinarian. For both people and animals, quick treatment can reverse the harm and typically there aren’t noticeable aftereffects. For animals, symptoms include nervous trembling, salivation, lack of coordination, pupil dilation, rapid weak pulse, respiratory paralysis, coma, and sometimes death. The typical symptoms for humans include dilation of the pupils, dizziness, and trembling followed by slowing of the heartbeat, paralysis of the central nervous system, muscle paralysis, and death due to respiratory failure. One individual had a severe reaction after pulling plants on a hot day because the toxins were absorbed into her skin. When controlling poison-hemlock, minimize exposure by wearing gloves and taking frequent breaks when pulling or mowing large amounts of plants. Eating the plant is the main danger, but it is also toxic to the skin and respiratory system. The amount of toxin varies and tends to be higher in sunny areas. All parts of the plant are poisonous and even the dead canes remain toxic for up to three years. Poison-hemlock is acutely toxic to people and animals, with symptoms appearing 20 minutes to three hours after ingestion. Wild carrot also flowers later in the summer. In contrast with poison-hemlock, wild carrot has one densely packed umbrella-shaped flower cluster on a narrow, hairy stem, usually with one purple flower in the center of the flower cluster, and is usually 3 feet tall or less. Flowering poison-hemlock may be confused with wild carrot ( Daucus carota, or Queen Anne's Lace). In late spring, second-year plants reach 6-10 feet tall and produce numerous umbrella-shaped clusters of tiny, white, 5-petaled flowers. Young poison-hemlock plants somewhat resemble carrot plants, but can be distinguished by the lack of hairs on the stems and the purple-reddish blotches on the stems. First year plants are low-growing and may overwinter in mild climates. Poison-hemlock is a biennial and germinates throughout the year. Flowers are tiny, white and arranged in small, umbrella-shaped clusters on ends of branched stems. Leaves are bright green, fern-like, finely divided, toothed on edges and have a strong musty odor when crushed. Poison-hemlock stems have reddish or purple spots and streaks, are not hairy, and are hollow. Eating even a small amount of any part of this plant can kill people, livestock, and wildlife. Poison hemlock, a Class B noxious weed, is a widespread toxic biennial plant in the Carrot Family often found in open sunny areas, fields, vacant lots, and on roadsides.
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