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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