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Conium is a genus of 2-3 species of perennial herbaceous plants in the family Apiaceae. The most familiar species is Conium maculatum (also known as Poison hemlock), the most common of several species of hemlock noted for their toxicity. It is a biennial herb which grows up to 10 feet tall, has a smooth (sometimes purple spotted stem) and finely divided lacy leaves. The new leaves and root, when crushed emit a rank, unpleasant odour often compared to mice or parsnips. The flowers are small, white and clustered in the umbrella shape so familiar to this family. The plant is often mistaken for fennel, parsleyParsley Petroselinum crispum and Petroselinum neapolitanum is a bright green, biennial herb that is very common in Middle Eastern, European, and American cooking. Parsley's value as a breath-freshener, and much of its taste, come from its high concentrati or wild carrotWild Carrot Scientific classification Kingdom: Plantae Division: Magnoliophyta Class: Magnoliopsida Order: Apiales Family: Apiaceae Genus Daucus Species carota Species Daucus carota Wild carrot or "Queen Anne's lace", Daucus carota is the ancestor of the although the characteristic stem hairs of the wild carrots are missing. The Conium root is fleshy, white and often unbranched and can be mistaken for parsnipThe parsnip Pastinaca sativa family Apiaceae) is a root vegetable related to the carrot, which it resembles, although it has a paler color and a stronger flavor. The parsnip has greater nutritional value than any vegetable except the potato. Like carrots,.

Conium contains the alkaloidAn alkaloid is a nitrogenous organic molecule that has a pharmacological effect on humans and other animals. The name derives from the word alkaline; originally, the term was used to describe any nitrogen-containing base (an amine in modern terms). Alkalos ConiineConiine is a poisonous alkaloid found in poison hemlock. Its chemical formula is C H N., N-methylconiine , conhydrine , pseudoconhydrine and g-coniceïne . The most important and toxic of these is Coniine. Coniine is a neurotoxinA neurotoxin is a toxin that acts specifically on nerve cells, or neurons usually by interacting with membrane proteins and ion channels. Many of the venoms and other toxins that organisms use in defense against vertebrates are neurotoxins. A common effec, which disrupts the workings of the Central nervous systemThe human central nervous system consists of the brain and spinal cord. These lie in the midline of the body and are associated with the skull and vertebrae respectively. see Nervous System) The central nervous system along with the peripheral nervous sys and is toxic to all classes of livestock and humans. A lethal dose for a horse is 4 to 5 pounds (1.8 - 2.2kg) of leaves, cattle; 1 to 2 pounds (0.45 - 0.9 kg), and sheep; half pound (226g) or less.

Conium maculatum is a native of EuropeFor the band of the same name, see Europe (band . Europe is a continent forming the westermost part of the Eurasian supercontinent. Europe is bounded to the north by the Arctic Ocean, to the west by the Atlantic Ocean, to the south by the Mediterranean Se and Asia, but has been introduced and naturalised in many other areas, including much of North America and Australia. Poison hemlock is often found on poorly drained soils, particularly near streams, ditches, and other surface water.

A useful trick to determine whether a plant is poison hemlock rather than fennel, which it resembles, is to crush some leaves and smell the result. Fennel smells like anise or licorice, whereas the smell of poison hemlock is often described as mouse-like or musty. The plant should be discarded if there is any doubt. As the two can cross-polinate to give you fenlock it is wise to avoid consumption of all plants of the apiaceae family in an area where poison hemlock has been identified.