This is one of the most poisonous plants that grow in Britain. A great
many accidents have been caused by cattle and human beings eating its
leaves and roots.
The Hemlock Water Dropwort is common all over the country, and it is in
flower most of the summer.
The flowers grow in large clusters at the end of green spokes. They are
white, and they have each five stamens with large pink heads, so that
from a distance the clusters look pink. There are little pointed green
leaves at the back of the flower clusters as well as where the spokes
join the main stem.
The seed-vessels of the Hemlock Water Dropwort are a light brown colour,
with slight ridges, and they have two little points standing up at the
top. You will know this plant by these seed-vessels and by the curious
roots.
The stems are tall and straight, with grooves running from top to
bottom. They are hollow, and so tough that they are very difficult to
gather. The roots are shaped like the fingers of your hand, long, fleshy
fibres that grow very thick. These poisonous roots have sometimes been
mistaken for Water Parsnips. The leaves are dark green and glossy. They
are not fern-like, as are those of so many of the other umbrella
plants.
PLATE XIX: 1. COW PARSNIP 2. WILD CHERVIL
3. SEA CARROT 4. COMMON HEMLOCK