Conium maculatum (Poison Hemlock) - Non-native

 5/18/02 Santiago Oaks Regional Park, Orange County, CA

LIFE LIST NOTES:

COMMON NAME: Poison Hemlock

SPECIES: Conium maculatum

FAMILY: Apiaceae (Carrot Family)

LIFE LIST DATE: 5/18/2002

LOCATION: Santiago Oaks Regional Park, Orange County, CA

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Treatment from The Jepson Manual (1993):

Plant 5–30 dm

Stem generally purple-spotted or -streaked

Leaf: petiole dilated; blade 1.5–3 dm, widely ovate, generally 2-pinnate

Inflorescence much-branched; peduncles 2–8 cm; bracts 4–6, acuminate; bractlets 5–6, 1.5–2 mm, like bracts, generally ± fused at base, scarious; rays 10–20, 1.5–5 cm

Fruit 2–3 mm wide, ovate; ribs generally wavy

Ecology: Common. Moist, especially disturbed places

Elevation: generally < 1000 m.  

Bioregional distribution: California Floristic Province 

Distribution outside California: America; native to Europe

Contains highly toxic alkaloids