Poison Hemlock by Liz

[Dept of PMM Artists & things]

 

  

 

  

 

 

By far the most familiar species is Conium maculatum (Hemlock or Poison Hemlock). It is a herbaceous biennial plant which grows between 1.5–2.5 metres (5–8 ft) tall, with a smooth green stem, usually spotted or streaked with red or purple on the lower half of the stem. The leaves are finely divided and lacy, overall triangular in shape, up to 50 centimetres (20 in) long and 40 centimetres (16 in) broad. The flowers are small, white, clustered in umbels up to 10–15 centimetres (4–6 in) across. When crushed, the leaves and root emit a rank, unpleasant odour often compared to that of parsnips.

 

Name

Conium maculatum is known by several common names. As well as the English "Poison hemlock" and the Irish "Devil's Porridge", there are also Beaver Poison, Herb Bennet (not to be confused with the herb robert), Musquash Root, Poison Parsley, Spotted Corobane and Spotted Hemlock. The seeds are sometimes called Kecksies or Kex.

seed heads in late summer

 

Conium comes from the Greek konas (meaning to whirl), in reference to vertigo, one of the symptoms of ingesting the plant.^[1]

 Distribution

Conium maculatum is native in temperate regions of Europe, West Asia, as well as North Africa. It has been introduced and naturalised in many other areas, including Asia, North America, Australia, and New Zealand.^[2] It is often found on poorly drained soils, particularly near streams, ditches, and other surface water. It also appears on roadsides, edges of cultivated fields, and waste areas.^[2] It is considered an Invasive species in twelve U.S. states, including California.^[3]

 Ecology

Conium maculatum grows in damp areas. It is used as a food plant by the larvae of some Lepidoptera species including Silver-ground Carpet. Poison hemlock flourishes in the spring, when most other forage is gone. All plant parts are poisonous but once the plant is dried, the poison is greatly reduced, although not gone completely.

 

Socrates

Main article: Trial of Socrates

In ancient Greece, hemlock was used to poison condemned prisoners. The most famous victim of hemlock poisoning is the philosopher Socrates. After being condemned to death for impiety in 399 BC, Socrates was given a potent infusion of the hemlock plant. Plato described Socrates' death in the Phaedo^[14]:

The man...laid his hands on him and after a while examined his feet and legs, then pinched his foot hard and asked if he felt it. He said "No"; then after that, his thighs; and passing upwards in this way he showed us that he was growing cold and rigid. And then again he touched him and said that when it reached his heart, he would be gone. The chill had now reached the region about the groin, and uncovering his face, which had been covered, he said – and these were his last words – "Crito, we owe a cock to Asclepius. Pay it and do not neglect it." "That," said Crito, "shall be done; but see if you have anything else to say." To this question he made no reply, but after a little while he moved; the attendant uncovered him; his eyes were fixed. And Crito when he saw it, closed his mouth and eyes.^[15]

Although many have questioned whether this is a factual account, careful attention to Plato's words, modern and ancient medicine, and other ancient Greek sources point to the above account being consistent with Conium poisoning.^[16]

 

Medicinal uses

Poison hemlock has been used as a sedative and for its antispasmodic properties.^{[citation needed]} It was also used by Greek and Persian physicians for a variety of problems, such as arthritis.^{[citation needed]} It wasn't always effective, however, as the difference between a therapeutic and a toxic amount (the therapeutic index) is very slight. Overdoses can produce paralysis and loss of speech, followed by depression of the respiratory function, and then death.

from http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Conium

 

HEMLOCK: Feminine, Saturn, Earth

Magical Properties:One of the foremost hexing agents. Hemlock is used in spell work involving chastity or the reduction of sexual desires, as well as general purification. It is sometimes planted at the front and back of a house to keep any poison from entering.

Uses: A DEADLY POISON! On account of its peculiar sedative action on the motor centers, Hemlock juice is prescribed as a remedy in cases of nervous motor excitability,in the early stages of paralysis agitans, in spasms of the larynx and gullet and in acute mania.The drug has to be administered with care, as narcotic poisoning may result from internal use, and overdoses produce paralysis. In poisonous doses it produces complete paralysis with loss of speech, the respiratory function is at first depressed and ultimately ceases altogether and death results from asphyxia. One of the better known references to hemlock in history is that it was used to execute the philosopher Socrates in 399 BC.

from: http://www.spiritwalkministry.com/plants_and_herbs

 

Sacred to Hecate, used in astral travel, purification of magickal tools, hexing.

Poison hemlock is an indredient in 'flying ointments'

 

more information at  http://www.alchemy-works.com/info_poison_hemlock.html

Following the link gives you more information on how to tell the differenct between this and Queen Anne's Lace

The site is copywrited so I couldn't copy/paste anything here. The owner (Harry Roth) really knows his stuff...