Facts

Did you know ...

 

 - In the United States, Conium maculatum is responsible for a yearly amount of

over $100 million due to the loss of livestock from poisonous plants.

 

 - In 1886, Albert Ladenburg was able to synthesize the first alkaloid which was

  coniine, which is found in poison hemlock.

 

 - Conium maculatum was brought to America as a decorative, ornamental plant

but is indigenous to western Asia and Europe.

 

- C. maculatum plants located in more southern latitudes appear to be more

 poisonous than those in more northern regions.

 

 - The flowers of C. maculatum are hermaphroditic, meaning they contain both male

 and female parts.  

 

 - The extracts from C. maculatum, which contain the poison were once used to

 execute criminals. One of these criminals was the famous Greek philosopher

 Socrates, who was sentenced to drink the poison and die.  

 

 

 - In the 1800's, Conium seeds that were unripe, were dried and used as a sedative.

 

- Children have died from using the stems of this plant as pea-shooters or whistles.

 

- The chemical alkaloid y-coniceine seems to dominant more during the rainy

season while coniine seems to become more apparent during the dry season.

 

- The seeds are the most toxic part of the plant. Pictured below is a photo of what

 these seeds look like.

 

 

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