Poison hemlock spreading in SE Minnesota, officials warn

Poison hemlock, a toxic member of the carrot family is currently flourishing in parts of southeastern Minnesota and state officials are warning residents to not taste or eat any parts of the plant and take precautions when handling it.

"It appears to be spreading quickly in the St. Charles and Lanesboro areas" and may be growing elsewhere in Minnesota, the state Department of Agriculture said in a statement Thursday. All parts of poison hemlock — leaves, stem, flowers, and roots — are poisonous, and people have reportedly been poisoned by handling the plants, the agency added.

Poison hemlock is an invasive plant native to Europe. It can grow up to 8 feet tall with small, white umbrella-shaped flower clusters atop the stems, which are hairless with purple blotches. The plants emit an odor like wild carrot, the department said.

Anyone who believes they've found the noxious weed should take a picture of the plant and email it to the Agriculture Department or contact their local University of Minnesota Extension office. Residents working in an infested area should wear gloves, long sleeves, long pants, and closed-toe boots.

People should immediately call Minnesota Poison Control at 1-800-222-1222 if there's a concern someone may have ingested poison hemlock, or call 911 if a person who may have ingested the weed is unresponsive or having trouble, the agency said.