Common name: Hemlock
Conium maculatum L. APNI* 
Description: Robust biennial herb, 1–2.5 m high, stems hollow, spotted reddish brown or purple.
Leaves acrid-smelling when crushed, triangular in outline, 30–50 cm long,2–4-pinnate; segments 1–2 cm long, margins coarsely toothed, glabrous; petiole to 60 cm long, longitudinally furrowed, purple-flecked, with a broad sheathing base.
Umbels 3–7 cm diam.; peduncle to 20 cm long; rays 6–20, 1.5–3.5 cm long; bracts 5–6, 2–8 mm long, reflexed; umbellules 5–8 mm diam.; pedicels 10–15, 2–5 mm long; bracteoles 3–6, ovate, 2–2.5 mm long, acuminate, often fused towards base. Petals c. 1.2 mm long, white.
Fruit ovoid to globose, 2.5–4 mm long; mericarps with 5 prominent undulate-crenate ribs.
Flowering: October–November
Distribution and occurrence: Weed of disturbed sites, often near stockyards, along roadsides and riverbanks, widespread.
NSW subdivisions: *NC, *CC, *SC, *NT, *CT, *ST, *NWS, *CWS, *SWS, *NWP
Other Australian states: *Qld *Vic. *Tas. *S.A.
This species is highly toxic.
Text by J. M. Powell, except for genera with authors listed
Taxon concept: Flora of NSW 3 (1992)
APNI* Provides a link to the Australian Plant Name Index (hosted by the Australian National Botanic Gardens) for comprehensive bibliographic data
***The AVH map option provides a detailed interactive Australia wide distribution map drawn from collections held by all major Australian herbaria participating in the Australian Virtual Herbarium project.
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