Hemlock

Another find on the coast at Fife Ness. The purple spotted stems and delicate, almost fern like leaves are the giveaway that distinguish it from other members of the parsley family. Look but don't touch - hemlock was the poison cup taken by Socrates!



[ 17. July 2006, 05:25 PM: Message edited by: frogesque ]

 

Hi Frogesque, just 'spotted' this, I had no idea that was what it looked like. Is it common?

 

The Hemlock I know is used to make doors and such
Tsuga Heterophylla, just goes to show how confusing the common names can be.
Wouldn't get a door stile out of that frogesque :D :D

 

Liz, its very common in the S.E of the country - just about in every lane around me. The same cautions apply to this as Giant Hogweed, which I shall not repeat for fear of re-kindling the wrath of the umbellifer-huggers that frequent these parts.