Poison Hemlock

1. Poison Hemlock Conium maculatum By: Kara Mae Adamo

2. Classification • Kingdom: Plantae (plants) • Subkingdom: Tracheobionta (vascular plants) • Division: Magnoliopsida (flowering plants) • Superdivision: Spermatophyta (seed plants) • Class: Magnoliopsida (dicotyledons) • Subclass: Rosidae • Order: Apiales • Family: Apiaceae (carrot family; formerly the Umbelliferae family) • Genus: Conium L. • Species: Conium maculatum L. • Nicknames: Beaver Poison, Herb Bennet, Keckies, Kex, Musquash Root, Poison Parsley, Spotted Cowbane, Spotted Hemlock, and Water Parsley • Important: This is a class C Weed (allows countries to enforce control if locally desired; other countries may choose to provide education or technical consultation)

3. A HIGHLY Poisonous Plant • The Toxic Principle in poisonous hemlock is mainly the Coniine alkaloid, though there are also other related pyridine-type alkaloids found in the root and seeds. • The younger plants are the most poisonous, as the mature plants loose the alkaloid content--the alkaloid is then preserved in the seeds. • The hay of the plant can retain the toxicity. • The entire plant is toxic at doses of about 1% of body weight. • Clinical Signs: The clinical course is rapid--animals may die within the hour. • Initial consumption causes a burning sensation in the mouth, salivation, emesis and diarrhea. Loss of coordination has also been recorded, along with paralysis of respiration, a dilation of the pupils, cold extremities, and a weak heartbeat. • Rapidly developing neurological signs include tremors, muscular weakness, dim vision, convulsions, and coma. • Frequent urination and defecation may occur. • Eventually, death results from respiratory failure. • Laboratory Diagnosis: The alkaloid may be detected in the stomach contents and in the urine.

4. Treatment • The victim should throw up and activated charcoal should be administered. • Respiratory support by mechanical ventilation may be lifesaving in small animals.

5. History • The Old testament describes rhabdomyolysis in Israelites who consumed quail fed on hemlock--in fact, it is also rumored that the plant was given to Christ along with vinegar and myrrh when he was crucified. • It was initially imported from Europe as an ornamental plant • Ancient Greeks used it to poison their political prisoners and enemies. One famous example is that Socrates, condemned to die as a political prisoner in 329 BCE, was forced to drink a cup of hemlock poison for “not worshipping the gods whom this city worships” and for leading the youth to follow in his example • “Either, in the end, we will find what it is we are seeking, or at least we shall free ourselves from the persuasion that we know what we do not know.” • Native Americans dipped their arrows in hemlock • Phoenicians became known for the “Sardonic Grin” or “Death Smile” due to Homer’s documentation of their use of the poisonous herb. They’d administer the poison to the elderly and to criminals, and then beating them (or dropping them from a cliff)--the pbv oison from Water Hemlock creates a grimace…the “Sardonic Grin”

6. Water Hemlock--Cicuta maculata • A variation of the Poisonous Hemlock • Are the most deadly plants in North America • A small mouthful can kill an adult • Ingesting even a couple of drops of the juice can make a person seriously ill • So poisonous that one should avoid handling the plant at all • Like other variations of poisonous hemlock, most poisonings have occurred due to mistaking the plant for edible look-alikes (carrots, parsely, etc) • Also, many poisonings have occurred because people have used the hallow stems of the plant as straws • Distinctive features: found in wet areas, have alternate twice-compound leaves, and the leaflets are sometimes arranged haphazardly • Similar Species: Water Parsnip (identical except that the leaves are only once-compound), Cowbane (also poisonous and closely resembles water parsnip), Mock Bishop’s Weed, Bulb-Bearing Water Hemlock, Wild Carrot--aka: Queen Anne’s Lace--(grows in dry areas), and other members of the parsely family

7. A Better Botox?! • Because the plant produces a paralysis of sorts, there is now speculation that they may begin to use it as a cosmetic application • The theory is that, because it relaxes the muscles, it can be effective in removing wrinkles and, thus, would be a better alternative to botox. • People have lost the art of aging gracefully.

8. Sources • http://www.encyclopedia.com/topic/poison_hemlock.aspx • http://www.natureskills.com/deadly_plant.html • http://cal.net.upenn.edu/projects/poison/plants/pppoison.htm • http://www.emedicine.medscape.com/article/821362-overview • http://www.colostate.edu/Dept/CoopExt/4dmg/Weed/hemlock.htm • http://www.google.com/search?q=hemlock+poinson+history&hl=en&tbo=u&ei=aUnOSoPbMNLL8QbFz8HsAw&a=x&oi=timeline_result&ct=title&resnum=11 • http://www.portfolio.mvm.ed.ac.uk/studentwebs/session2/group12/folklore.htm • http://www.news.nationalgeographic.com/news/2009/06/090602-smiling_death_poison.html • http://www.whitman.wsu.edu/weeds/poisonhemlock.html • http://plants.usda.gov/java/profile?symbol=COMA2 • http://plants.usda.gov/java/ClassificationServlet?source=profile&symbol=COMA2&display=31 • http://www.canvaz.com/david/david-04.jpg • http://www.biojobblog.com/uploads/image/botox_effect(1).jpg