Highly toxic plant spreads across state as officials issue urgent warning
An invasive plant that is toxic to the touch is rapidly spreading throughout Tennessee, as officials tell residents to beware of the increasingly prevalent danger.
Poison hemlock is spawning along roads, up fences and in fields, putting people and animals at risk, officials from the Tennessee Department of Agriculture have warned.
Formally known as Conium maculatum, every part of the purple-spotted stemmed plant is 'highly toxic,' the department wrote in a May 8 statement, adding that 'just touching or inhaling particles while cutting can be dangerous.'
Symptoms of poisoning in humans include nervous trembling, pupil dilation, a weakened pulse, convulsions and bloody stool, the US Department of Agriculture (USDA) reported.
In severe cases, coming into contact with the plant may led to kidney failure, muscle paralysis, a coma or death, according to the Cleveland Clinic.
Humans rarely get a rash from touching the invasive species, but those with sensitive skin can develop dermatitis.
'Poison hemlock isn't like poison ivy, poison oak or poison sumac,' the Cleveland Clinic explained.
While experts say people should never touch the plant, it is usually only fatal if it is eaten. It is 'extremely poisonous' to humans, the USDA asserted.
There is no anecdote to Conium maculatum poisoning, doctors can only do their best to treat the symptoms.
The USDA said ingesting the plant is 'frequently fatal,' specifically among animals, which can die from respiratory paralysis within just two hours of eating a small amount.
Sheep, cattle, swine and horses are some of the most commonly affected species.
Animal fetuses are also at risk if their parent comes into contact with the plant.
'Skeletal deformities or cleft palate may be induced in offspring of cows, sheep, goats, and pigs that eat poison-hemlock during gestation,' the department wrote.
'Avoid contact and NEVER mow or burn it,' the Tennessee Department of Agriculture urgently warned.
If someone believes poison hemlock is on their property, they should only try to remove it while wearing gloves.
People should also connect with their local agriculture department office for assistance.
Poison hemlock is part of the carrot family, but unlike its vegetable cousin, is inedible and life-threatening.
It grows across the United States in early spring and has a two-year life cycle, according to the USDA.
Conium maculatum generally reach four to 10 feet tall and grows dainty white clusters of flowers and parsley-like green leaves.
In fact, the hemlock was first brought to America from Europe because of its 'attractive flowers,' according to the USDA.
But experts said the menacing plants are about to bud in Tennessee, but people should not be fooled by the innocent-looking blossoms.
There have not been any recent accidental incidents of hemlock poisoning in recent years, but in 2017, a man injected himself with the poison plant, according to the National Library of Medicine (NLM).
The 30-year-old man had a history of schizoaffective disorder and was rushed to the emergency room while he was having a heart attack.
It was later revealed he was seemingly trying to kill himself, and a syringe of an unknown substance was found on the scene.
'This was presumed to be poison hemlock,' the NLM wrote.
'This liquid was found to contain coniine, N-methylconiine, and conhydrine, the main alkaloids in poison hemlock, via high performance liquid chromatography with mass spectroscopy.
'After an extended stay in rehabilitation, the patient remained with some mild cognitive deficits and hypersexual behavior, but greatly improved since discharge.'
In 2013, a Washington woman reportedly died from putting hemlock in her salad, investigators believed at the time.
Sakha Keo, 55, apparently mistakenly ate the dangerous herb and then died, Annie Waisanen, a Pierce County medical investigator, told King 5.
Greek philosopher Socrates is believed to have died from consuming poison hemlock, according to the NLM.
It has been documented that in his last days, he experienced 'progressive centripetal paralysis.'
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