Photographs: Macroom, Co. Cork

Hemlock Conium maculatum Moing mhear Family: Apiaceae Flowering: June-October. Biennial. Native. Umbels of white flowers with 10-20 rays are followed by fruits with wavy ridges. An erect, hairless plant with finely cut, feathery, 2-4 pinnate leaves and an unpleasant 'mousey' smell. The purple-spotted stems are hollow. Height to 2.5m. All parts of this plant are very poisonous. Prefers damp, heavy soils, but also grows on drier ground on river banks, waste ground, rough grassland and roadsides. Similar: Cow Parsley, Anthriscus sylvestris has smooth fruit

Hemlock, Conium maculatum, Moing mhear