Hemlock, spotted

The spotted hemlock, also called Conium maculatum, is a plant species from the Apiaceae family (umbelliferae) and is one of the most poisonous native plants. The plant's range includes Europe, Asia and North Africa, bounded for instance by the Canary Islands, Algeria, Norway, Finland, Altai, Baikal region, Hindu Kush, Iran and Ethiopia. In addition, it is also found in North and South America and New Zealand.

The hemlock cup, a drink made from the fruit or roots of the hemlock, used to be used to execute condemned people. For example, Socrates (469 B.C. - 399 B.C.) died from the hemlock cup. Socrates was condemned because of the alleged corrupting influence on the youth and disrespect for the gods.

The spotted hemlock grows as a biennial herbaceous plant and reaches growth heights between 80 and 200 cm. The whitish root is spindle-shaped. The round and hollow stems are covered by a kind of blue frost and have red spots in the lower part. The leaves are angular, the flowers grow in corymbed inflorescences and have white petals. The plant blooms between June and September.