Poison Hemlock (Noun)
Meaning
Large branching biennial herb native to Eurasia and Africa and adventive in North America having large fernlike leaves and white flowers; usually found in damp habitats; all parts extremely poisonous.
Classification
Nouns denoting plants.
Examples
- Poison hemlock was growing abundantly in the swampy area, its large fernlike leaves and white flowers camouflaging its deadly nature.
- The hikers accidentally wandered into a patch of poison hemlock, and one of them touched the plant, causing a severe skin reaction.
- Wildlife experts warned that the increase in poison hemlock in the area could be hazardous to the local deer population, as the plant is highly toxic to them.
- In ancient Greece, poison hemlock was famously used to execute the philosopher Socrates, as described in Plato's Phaedo.
- The park rangers made sure to mark the areas where poison hemlock was growing, to prevent accidental ingestion by visitors or their pets.