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Poison hemlock
Week 24
Year 2016
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Able to take down a cow, Poison hemlock is surprisingly widespread.[1][2] In Athens, a long time ago, it was used to execute prisoners, most notably Socrates, who was found guilty of corrupting the youth and not believing in the same gods as his government.[3] In more recent times the plant was associated with witchcraft, and as medical treatments to medical conditions such as rabies and asthma.[4] Additionally, there were some accounts that the native americans used the lethal plant for poisonous arrows.[5] Today, however, it is commonly ingested because it resembles edible plants, some including parsley, fennel and parsnip.[6]
Citations
[1]: Stewart, Jennifer. "Livestock Producers Should Watch For, Control Poison Hemlock." Purdue University. April 11, 2013. Accessed June 27, 2016. https://www.purdue.edu/newsroom/releases/2013/Q2/livestock-producers-should-watch-for,-control-poison-hemlock.html.
[2]: "Poison Hemlock." HorseDVM. Accessed June 27, 2016. http://www.horsedvm.com/poisonous/poison-hemlock/.
[3]: "The Suicide of Socrates, 399 BC." Eyewitness to History. Accessed June 27, 2016. http://www.eyewitnesstohistory.com/socrates.htm.
[4]: Rowan. "Hemlock - Britains Most Common Witchy Plant." White Dragon. 2000. Accessed June 27, 2016. http://www.whitedragon.org.uk/articles/hemlock.htm.
[5]: Moser, L., and D. Crisp. "Poison Hemlock." Southwest Biological Science Center. Accessed June 27, 2016. http://sbsc.wr.usgs.gov/research/projects/swepic/factsheets/coma2sf_info.pdf.
[6]: "10 People Treated for Eating Poison-Hemlock in WA | Food Safety News." Food Safety News. May 14, 2015. Accessed June 27, 2016. http://www.foodsafetynews.com/2015/05/10-people-treated-for-eating-poison-hemlock-in-washington/#.V3EwkuYrKRs.
Do you know any fun facts or tips?