You’ve Probably Seen Kentucky’s Deadliest Plant Growing Along the Road

Deadly Plants

I'd forgotten I'd saved this strange "message" that appeared in the margins of my Facebook page. Read this description:

Every part of the plant is covered in silica hairs which act like hypodermic needles. If touched, they inject a venom which causes excruciating pain that can last for days, even months.

Sounds perfectly awful, so I investigated further and learned I was reading about the gympie gympie, the deadliest plant in Australia, and one that's not just considered toxic, but venomous.

If not for that featured image's skull and crossbones, that leaf would just be a "leaf". Appearances can be deceiving, can't they?

The Deadliest Plant in Kentucky

The same can be said for poison hemlock if you don't know what you're looking at. The thing is, I have seen hemlock a number of times and didn't realize it until a picture. I'd imagine most people would just call it a weed; it grows wild like one, even if it shouldn't be here. Yes, poison hemlock is an invasive species native to Europe, Africa, and Asia.

Poison Hemlock

And even though it may be a "southern thing" to pull, say, wild dandelion greens out of the earth and cook them (I highly recommend it, but wash them first), you can't do that with everything growing in the yard or on the side of the road (where you'll often find hemlock growing). And yes, hemlock can grow in your yard because it isn't high-maintenance. It only requires disturbed soil, moisture, and equal parts sunshine and shade to thrive. But, as for any culinary intent? Long story short...ingesting this stuff could kill you.

I'll never understand why we have so many plants and wildlife in this country that do not belong here. Not that it matters, ethically speaking, but hemlock doesn't even have any re-sale value. Anyway, back to poison hemlock's appearance, I'm sure you've seen it, too.

Here's the thing: Unlike that ghastly gympie gympie, poison hemlock won't harm you unless you ingest it. No sharp spines, no toxic surface oils, but you might experience a little skin irritation. Just keep it out of your mouth, and you will be fine.