There’s A Deadly Plant Growing In Ohio Yards That Looks Like A Harmless Weed
By Sarah McCosham|Published August 03, 2023
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Sarah McCosham
Author
I write like it's my job - because it is! I have a Master's in English and love words: crossword puzzles, Scrabble games, Wordle, and, of course, good, old-fashioned books.
I'm a writer and editor at OnlyInYourState, and a contributing writer at Cincinnati Magazine. I love the Great Outdoors and am endlessly awestruck by this beautiful country of ours. Coffee keeps me going, yoga keeps me sane, my kids keep me grounded, and my writing keeps me inspired.
When I was little, my brothers and I used to collect Queen Anne’s Lace from our yard. It grew in abundance; we liked putting it in water tinted with food coloring, watching in awe as the white lace turned red, blue, green, and yellow hues. Today, as a parent of four adventurous and outdoors-loving kids, I am a bit more cautious when it comes to what my kids can forage. For one, my kids are severely allergic to poison ivy, and also, as an adult I’m aware that some of the deadliest plants in Ohio masquerade as benign blooms. Like, for example, poison hemlock, a plant found in Ohio that bears an uncanny resemblance to Queen Ann’s Lace, but is extremely toxic, dangerous, and potentially deadly.
This is Queen Anne's Lace, a fanciful flower also known as "wild carrot." It's named as such for its delicate, lace-like clusters of tiny white flowers, known as umbels.
Queen Anne's Lace can grow to heights of up to four feet and is found in abundance in the fields and forests (and backyards!) of the Buckeye State, and it's harmless to humans and pets.
Poison hemlock is also part of the carrot family Apiaceae, and often mistaken for other plants in this same group including wild carrot (Queen Anne's Lace), anise, chervil, and fennel.
Toxic to humans and animals, poison hemlock is an invasive species that's quite literally put down roots in Ohio, and is one of the most toxic plants in the state.
If accidentally contacted -- or worse, ingested -- side effects can initially include vomiting, confusion, decreased breathing and muscle paralysis; death from the plant is usually rapid and because of respiratory paralysis.
How do you tell the difference between poison hemlock and Queen Anne's Lace? Poison hemlock stems are smooth, while Queen Anne's Lace stems are covered with tiny hairs. In addition, poison hemlock also has dark purplish splotches on its stem, whereas Queen Anne’s Lace has a solid green stem.
If you notice this invasive and deadly plant proliferating in your yard, experts recommend acting swiftly, wearing gloves and carefully pulling the plant up by its root to ensure it won't spread.
As you go out exploring and hiking in Ohio, please make sure you’re aware of your surroundings! Those beautiful plants along the trails might be harmless, but they could also be extremely dangerous. One of the best ways to protect yourself is by wearing long pants and sleeves; there are some lightweight SPF shirts that will keep you sunburn free, cool, and covered from potentially toxic plants.
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