27. North Dakota – Poison Hemlock (Conium maculatum)
Poison hemlock spreads along roadsides, ditches, and riverbanks in North Dakota. Its white umbrella-shaped flowers bloom in summer, attracting accidental contact. The plant contains coniine and other alkaloids that interfere with the nervous system, causing muscle paralysis, respiratory failure, and death. Misidentification with harmless wild carrot or parsley increases the risk. Livestock and children are especially vulnerable. Historical records show poison hemlock’s lethal effects dating back to ancient Greece. Despite its unassuming appearance, it remains one of the most toxic plants in the state.
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