Conium (Noun)
Meaning
Small genus of highly toxic biennials: hemlock.
Classification
Nouns denoting plants.
Examples
- Conium is a small genus of highly toxic biennials commonly known as hemlock, which can be fatal if ingested.
- The plant conium maculatum, also known as poison hemlock, is native to Europe and Asia but has been naturalized in North America.
- In ancient Greece, conium was used as a form of execution, most notably in the death of the philosopher Socrates.
- Conium contains a group of toxic compounds called coniine alkaloids, which can cause neurological symptoms and eventually death.
- The seeds of conium are particularly toxic and should be handled with extreme caution to avoid accidental ingestion.