WARNING: Plant Deadly To Humans, Animals Now Growing In Wisconsin

Everyone in Wisconsin knows that being outside, whether out hiking in the woods or just enjoying a nice day in your yard, requires a little preparation because there are things out there that can ruin your day or even pose a health risk.

Preparation can be simple things like applying some sunscreen to protect your skin from harmful UV rays, applying bug repellent, or covering exposed skin in areas where mosquitoes and, even worse, ticks are looking for you.

This is increasingly important now that the potentially deadly Powassan virus, which is spread by is spread by the blacklegged tick (deer tick), has been confirmed in Wisconsin.

However, there are also dangerous things outside that don't look threatening to the naked eye. One example is Asian needle ants, which are now in Wisconsin. While these small, shiny dark colored ants look like most ants, they bite with stingers that can penetrate clothing. Even scarier, their bites have the potential to cause a deadly reaction.

Another unassuming-looking thing that can be found outside in Wisconsin and is potentially deadly to people and animals isn't an insect or an animal. It's a highly toxic plant, and now is the time to start looking for it because it could even be found growing in your yard.

Deadly Poison Hemlock Is In Wisconsin

According to the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources, poison hemlock (Conium maculatum) is a highly toxic plant that poses serious dangers to humans and animals. It can be found in Wisconsin, starting during the late spring and into midsummer months, when it blooms.

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Poison hemlock is most dangerous during summer and fall, thriving in moist areas like roadsides, fields, stream banks, and disturbed soils.

What makes poison hemlock so dangerous is that all parts of the plant are poisonous, including the leaves, stems, flowers, and roots. Ingestion can be fatal for humans and animals, due to a toxin called coniine, which disrupts the nervous system.

Toxins from poison hemlock can also be absorbed through the skin and lungs, although this is less common than becoming poisoned through ingestion.

Symptoms of coniine poisoning include:

In Humans: Nausea, vomiting, dilated pupils, muscle weakness, slowed or rapid heartbeat, slowed breathing, and paralysis.
In Animals: Tremors, nervousness, difficulty walking, and eventually respiratory paralysis leading to death. Livestock, especially cows, have proven to be particularly vulnerable, but all animals are susceptible.

How To Identify Poison Hemlock

Properly identifying this plant can be a bit challenging, as it can be mistaken for edible plants like wild carrots, parsnips, or parsley, especially during its early growth stages. That makes accidental ingestion by children and animals a threat.

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To identify the plant, you'll want to look for smooth, hairless stems with purple or reddish spots, and leaves that resemble parsley and emit a musty odor when crushed.

Controlling And Managing Poison Hemlock

According to the U.S. Forest Service, this plant requires active control measures to prevent dominance on a site.

They say the following measures can be effective:

• Manual: Hand-pulling, grubbing, and/or multiple mowing close to the ground may eventually kill poison hemlock. Be sure to protect your skin and lungs when near poison hemlock.
• Chemical: It can be effectively controlled using any of several readily available general-use herbicides such as glyphosate and 2,4-D. Treat plants before they begin to bud with 2,4-D plus dicamba. Repeat applications may be necessary to reduce densities. Follow label directions and state requirements.
• Biological Control: The European palearctic moth or commonly called the hemlock moth (Agonopterix alstroemeriana C.), may offer possibilities for biological control. The larvae of the hemlock moth can cause severe defoliation by consuming leaves, young stem tissue, flowers, and seeds.

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