Conium maculatum

Species category

Weed

Common name

poison hemlock

Diagnostic characters

Planting unit

MericarpMericarp:
One-half of a two-sectioned fruit known as a schizocarp (e.g. carrot).

Shape

OvalOval:
Broadly elliptic.
, ellipticElliptic:
Outline of an ellipse; greatest width midway sloping to an equally pointed apex and base.
, one flat side

Size

  • Length 2.5 mm
  • Width 1.5 mm
  • Thickness 1 mm

Color

Yellow ribs with brown interspaces

Texture

Lightly textured

Other structures

Ribs are wavy and thin. Stylopodium is large.

Identification notes

MericarpsMericarp:
One-half of a two-sectioned fruit known as a schizocarp (e.g. carrot).
are ellipticElliptic:
Outline of an ellipse; greatest width midway sloping to an equally pointed apex and base.
; ridges are thin and wavy; no grooves. MericarpMericarp:
One-half of a two-sectioned fruit known as a schizocarp (e.g. carrot).
attachment structure (stylopodium) is large. Oil tubes not evident.

Noxious weed seed categories

State Noxious Weed: Colorado, Idaho, Iowa, Nevada, Ohio, Utah, West Virginia, Wyoming 

AOSA examination list

Included

More information

For more information, see ISMA fact sheet.

Nomenclature

Family

Apiaceae

Valid name

Conium maculatum L.

 Conium maculatum.  Mericarps with a large stylopodium. 
Conium maculatum. Mericarps with a large stylopodium. 
 Conium maculatum . Multiple views of fruit. Looking down on the apical (left) and basal (right) ends of the mericarp. Adaxial side at top. Photo courtesy of USDA-APHIS-PPQ.
Conium maculatum. Multiple views of fruit. Looking down on the apical (left) and basal (right) ends of the mericarp. Adaxial side at top. Photo courtesy of USDA-APHIS-PPQ.