ALBEMARLE COUNTY, Va. (WRIC) — When one thinks of “poison,” the mind might immediately go to a bottle marked “danger” or glass vials like in Romeo and Juliet. However, in some cases, it takes a less obvious form.
A poisonous plant called poison hemlock is popping up across Virginia, and health experts like Chris Holstege with UVA Health’s Blue Ridge Poison Center urge people to be aware.
“It has these large and bell-form white flowers that are actually quite beautiful.”
Poison hemlock may look innocent enough, but it has a history of death and destruction.
“The plant itself has been used in poisoning [people] for quite some time,” Holstege said. “People know it as the plant that was used to poison Socrates.”
While it’s a history book phenomenon, poison hemlock is surprisingly prevalent in modern-day Virginia.
“It grows in Virginia,” Holstege confirmed. “I’ve seen it on various hikes in George Washington National Forest.”
Poison hemlock is part of the carrot family, but it’s not something you want to put in a salad. It can be deadly if consumed, or at least leave you with some pretty miserable symptoms.
“Nausea, vomiting, potentially diarrhea,” Holstege said about what the plant can cause.
That’s because it contains a substance called “coniine” which acts as nicotine. The plant can grow up to six feet tall and has been spotted in Virginia parks, forests, gardens and backyards. Unlike some invasive species, one doesn’t necessarily need to report it if spotted.
“Enjoy nature,” Holstege said. “Just be really careful when foraging for plants, for misidentification and the complications that can occur from that.”
This “pretty poison” is not exactly toxic to the touch, but keep it far from the mouths of your children and pets. You can look, but don’t eat.
“Part of nature — and, kind of, I think the joy of nature — is knowing that some of these plants that have these toxins actually exist,” Holstege said.
If you want to learn more about poison hemlock, you can read more of Holstege’s work, “The Socrates Project.” If you’re worried you or a pet could have consumed poison hemlock, contact the Blue Ridge Poison Center or Poison Control.
ALBEMARLE COUNTY, Va. (WRIC) — When one thinks of “poison,” the mind might immediately go to a bottle marked “danger” or glass vials like in Romeo and Juliet. However, in some cases, it takes a less obvious form.
A poisonous plant called poison hemlock is popping up across Virginia, and health experts like Chris Holstege with UVA Health’s Blue Ridge Poison Center urge people to be aware.
“It has these large and bell-form white flowers that are actually quite beautiful.”
Poison hemlock may look innocent enough, but it has a history of death and destruction.
“The plant itself has been used in poisoning [people] for quite some time,” Holstege said. “People know it as the plant that was used to poison Socrates.”
While it’s a history book phenomenon, poison hemlock is surprisingly prevalent in modern-day Virginia.
“It grows in Virginia,” Holstege confirmed. “I’ve seen it on various hikes in George Washington National Forest.”
Poison hemlock is part of the carrot family, but it’s not something you want to put in a salad. It can be deadly if consumed, or at least leave you with some pretty miserable symptoms.
“Nausea, vomiting, potentially diarrhea,” Holstege said about what the plant can cause.
That’s because it contains a substance called “coniine” which acts as nicotine. The plant can grow up to six feet tall and has been spotted in Virginia parks, forests, gardens and backyards. Unlike some invasive species, one doesn’t necessarily need to report it if spotted.
“Enjoy nature,” Holstege said. “Just be really careful when foraging for plants, for misidentification and the complications that can occur from that.”
This “pretty poison” is not exactly toxic to the touch, but keep it far from the mouths of your children and pets. You can look, but don’t eat.
“Part of nature — and, kind of, I think the joy of nature — is knowing that some of these plants that have these toxins actually exist,” Holstege said.
If you want to learn more about poison hemlock, you can read more of Holstege’s work, “The Socrates Project.” If you’re worried you or a pet could have consumed poison hemlock, contact the Blue Ridge Poison Center or Poison Control.