A deadly plant might be growing near your NC home. How to ID & get rid of it

It might look like an ordinary weed, but a highly toxic plant is lurking in many parts of North Carolina – and it could be growing right near your home.

Poison hemlock can grow as tall as 9 feet (though usually 3-5 feet). It’s usually identified by its white, fleshy taproot with reddish spots that resemble a parsnip, along with hollow stems marked by small purple blotches, according to the N.C. State Extension. It also features clusters of white, umbrella-shaped flowers.

This green plant is commonly found along roadsides, fences, streambanks and in ditches.

Despite its resemblance to plants in the carrot family, poison hemlock is extremely poisonous to both humans and animals — and ingesting it can be deadly.

Here’s what to know about poison hemlock, including where it’s found, the symptoms of hemlock poisoning and how to safely remove it from your yard.

Where is poison hemlock found?

Poison hemlock has been identified in 21 counties in North Carolina, according to the N.C. Division of Parks & Recreation.

• Mecklenburg

• Wake

• Orange

• Union

• Cabarrus

• Stanly

• Iredell

• Rowan

• Cleveland

• Buncombe

• Haywood

• Mitchell

• Wilkes

• Surry

• Alleghany

• Guilford

• Alamance

• Lee

• Franklin

• Beaufort

• Martin

Poison hemlock symptoms

Nearly all parts of the poison hemlock plant are poisonous, according to the N.C. State Extension. Symptoms of poison hemlock ingestion can include:

• Salivation

• Vomiting

• Diarrhea

• Muscular weakness

• Paralysis

• Nervousness

• Trembling

• Dilation of pupils

• Weak pulse

• Convulsions

• Coma

Touching poison hemlock can also lead to contact dermatitis in people with sensitive skin, according to Cleveland Clinic. In rare cases, hemlock can enter your bloodstream through a cut or through your eyes or nose.

Poison hemlock treatment

If you think you have ingested poison hemlock, you should call your doctor or go to the nearest emergency room immediately, according to Cleveland Clinic.

There is no antidote for hemlock poisoning, but it can be treated by:

• Mechanical ventilation if you’re having trouble breathing.

• Antiseizure medication to control seizures

• Hemodialysis for renal failure

• Digestive system cleanse to get rid of the toxin

• IV fluids to prevent dehydration

How to prevent poison hemlock

The best way to prevent hemlock poisoning is by removing the plant.

Experts recommend digging out the roots of the plant while wearing gloves, face masks and other protective clothing, according to Healthline. You shouldn’t burn the plants, since the fumes can trigger asthma symptoms.

You can also use herbicides to kill the plant in the late fall or spring, when they begin to grow.

This story was originally published May 27, 2025 at 3:40 PM with the headline "A deadly plant might be growing near your NC home. How to ID & get rid of it."

Evan Moore

The Charlotte Observer

Evan Moore is a service journalism reporter for the Charlotte Observer. He grew up in Denver, North Carolina, where he previously worked as a reporter for the Denver Citizen, and is a UNC Charlotte graduate.