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Description:
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Water
hemlock is the most poisonous plant in North America. It is often
mistaken for it's edible or non-poisonous relatives like wild carrot
or wild parsley. It smells like fresh turnips and is reportedly sweet
tasting but is extremely toxic. This plant grows up to 6 ft tall.
The flowers form umbrella-like white clusters. The leaves are compound
and have distinct veins that end at the notches of the serrated leaf
edges. Water hemlock is usually found in swampy areas or near rivers
and streams |
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Toxic
Part: |
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The
entire plant is considered toxic especially the rootstock. Lethal
doses range from an entire root to 1 cm of the stem. This is considered
the most toxic plant indigenous to North America and is associated
with a 30% fatality rate. |
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Toxin: |
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Cicutoxin,
a diol, and cicutol, an alcohol |
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Symptoms: |
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Upon
ingestion of any plant part, the most common symptoms of intoxication
are nausea, vomiting, severe intermittent seizures, sweating, blurred
vision, dizziness, and excessive salivation. Death usually occurs
amid violent muscular activity and is due to respiratory paralysis
and exhaustion. Persons who recover usually have no memory of the
seizures despite their violence. |
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Treatment: |
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There
are no antidotes for the toxins. |
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References:
24, 34, 97, 106, 175, 185
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This
site is NOT a substitute for the advice of medical physician.
Plant poisonings can, in certain cases, result in SERIOUS HARM AND
EVEN DEATH. Please contact a physician or your local poison control
center if you suspect any plant poisoning. A link to the Georgia Poison
Control Center can be found on the "References and Links"
page of this site. |
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