36. West Virginia – Poison Hemlock (Conium maculatum)
Poison hemlock grows widely along West Virginia’s roadsides and riverbanks. Its umbrella-shaped white flowers bloom in summer and can easily be mistaken for parsley or wild carrot. The plant contains coniine and other alkaloids that paralyze the nervous system, causing muscle weakness, respiratory failure, and death. Livestock and children are especially vulnerable. Historical use as a poison, including the execution of Socrates, illustrates its lethality. Despite its unassuming appearance, poison hemlock is a hidden but deadly presence in fields and wetlands throughout the state.
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