There’s A Deadly Plant Growing In Rhode Island Yards That Looks Like A Harmless Weed
By Beth Price-Williams|Published July 27, 2023
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Beth Price-Williams
Author
A professional writer for more than two decades, Beth has lived in nearly a dozen states – from Missouri and Virginia to Connecticut and Vermont – and Toronto, Canada. In addition to traveling extensively in the U.S. and the U.K., she has a BA in Journalism from Point Park University (PA), a MA in Holocaust & Genocide Studies from Stockton University (NJ), and a Master of Professional Writing from Chatham University (PA). A writer and editor for Only In Your State since 2016, Beth grew up in and currently lives outside of Pittsburgh and when she’s not writing or hanging out with her bunnies, budgies, and chinchilla, she and her daughter are out chasing waterfalls.
Those of us with yards or outdoor space often spend considerable time outside mowing, weeding, and planting. While we usually enjoy the fresh air and the sunshine, as long as it’s not boiling hot, we usually have a few roadblocks to deal with, including bugs and weeds. Some of those weeds, like poison ivy, can be annoying (and painful if we brush against it) while others can be downright deadly. There’s one poisonous plant in Rhode Island yards of which you’ll want to be aware.
Poison hemlock has made its way to all 50 states, including Rhode Island, except for Alaska, Florida, Hawaii, and Mississippi, so it’s something we’ll all likely deal with at some time or another.
Commonly found in yards and fields, on the sides of roads, and near waterways, poison hemlock is easy to spot. Towering between six and 10 feet, the deadly weed sports purple spots on the stem and white flowers that resemble a tiny umbrella.
Unfortunately, this potentially deadly plant can easily be mistaken for a variety of others, including Queen Anne’s Lace (pictured below), parsnip, and carrots.
The biennial plant typically produces more than 30,000 seeds, which are easily spread through the air, on our clothing, and on animals’ fur. The best time to treat it with herbicides or by pulling the weeds out is during the rosette stage, before the weeds flower.
You can use herbicides with poison hemlock once it has flowered. However, you may have to spray the weeds several times during the season.
Pay particular attention during the summer as poison hemlock typically grows from June through August. Before you attempt to eradicate this poison plant from your yard, take a few precautions.
Keep all animals away from the weeds, and experts advise wearing long pants and gloves when you’re working with poison hemlock. While it can be a challenge to pull out, it’s a common way to remove the plant.
After you’ve worked with hemlock, even if you wore gloves, wash your hands thoroughly.
All parts of hemlock are poisonous. Touching the sap with bare skin can result in dermatitis while ingesting it can lead to muscle paralysis and suffocation.
Did you know about this deadly plant in Rhode Island yards? Do you have any in your outdoor space? Let us know in the comments! Don’t forget to grab a pair of gardening gloves before heading outdoors. Next time you feel like exploring, you might want to go mushroom hunting at this unique state park in Rhode Island.
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