Hemlock (Conium maculatum)
Hemlock is an upright herb with hollow stems, fern-like leaves and white flowers. It is highly toxic to people and animals.
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How does this weed affect you?
Hemlock is highly toxic to livestock and humans, but is avoided by livestock. In humans it is capable of causing serious illness or death, and all parts of the plant are poisonous when ingested. Symptoms include nervousness, trembling and then respiratory distress.
What to do if poisoning occurs:
- If the patient is unconscious, unresponsive or having difficulty breathing dial 000 or get to the emergency section of a hospital immediately.
- If the patient is conscious and responsive call the Poisons Information Centre on 13 11 26 or your doctor.
What does it look like?
Hemlock is a robust biennial herb growing 1-2.5 metres high, with hollow stems that have reddish-brown or purple spots on the outer surface. The leaves have a sharp offensive odour when crushed.
Where is it found?
In NSW it has been found in most regions except for the western parts of the state. Hemlock is a weed of disturbed areas, often occurring near stockyards and along roadsides and riverbanks.
Hemlock is native to Europe, China and northern Africa.
More information
Control
Physical control
Ensure adequate personal protective clothing including gloves are worn in handling hemlock. Small infestations may be dug out. Dispose of the plants carefully.
Chemical control
Spray when weeds are young and actively growing. Do not spray stressed plants. Cover all of the foliage with the herbicide mixture.
Herbicide options
WARNING - ALWAYS READ THE LABEL
Users of agricultural or veterinary chemical products must always read the label and any permit, before using the product, and strictly comply with the directions on the label and the conditions of any permit. Users are not absolved from compliance with the directions on the label or the conditions of the permit by reason of any statement made or not made in this information. To view permits or product labels go to the Australian Pesticides and Veterinary Medicines Authority website www.apvma.gov.au
Users of agricultural or veterinary chemical products must always read the label and any permit, before using the product, and strictly comply with the directions on the label and the conditions of any permit. Users are not absolved from compliance with the directions on the label or the conditions of the permit by reason of any statement made or not made in this information. To view permits or product labels go to the Australian Pesticides and Veterinary Medicines Authority website www.apvma.gov.au
See Using herbicides for more information.
MCPA 340 g/L + Dicamba 80 g/L
(Kamba® M)
Rate: 80 mL per 15 L of water
Comments: Knapsack spray.
Withholding period: Do not graze or cut for stock food for 7 days after application.
Herbicide group: 4 (previously group I), Disruptors of plant cell growth (Auxin mimics)
Resistance risk: Moderate
MCPA 340 g/L + Dicamba 80 g/L
(Kamba® M)
Rate: 350 mL per 100 L of water
Comments: High volume spot spray.
Withholding period: Do not graze or cut for stock food for 7 days after application.
Herbicide group: 4 (previously group I), Disruptors of plant cell growth (Auxin mimics)
Resistance risk: Moderate
MCPA 340 g/L + Dicamba 80 g/L
(Kamba® M)
Rate: 5.2 L/ha
Comments: Boom spray rate. Young active growth, repeat treatments may be necessary.
Withholding period: Do not graze or cut for stock food for 7 days after application.
Herbicide group: 4 (previously group I), Disruptors of plant cell growth (Auxin mimics)
Resistance risk: Moderate
Biosecurity duty
The content provided here is for information purposes only and is taken from the Biosecurity Act 2015 and its subordinate legislation, and the Regional Strategic Weed Management Plans (published by each Local Land Services region in NSW). It describes the state and regional priorities for weeds in New South Wales, Australia.
| Area | Duty |
|---|---|
| All of NSW | General Biosecurity Duty All pest plants are regulated with a general biosecurity duty to prevent, eliminate or minimise any biosecurity risk they may pose. Any person who deals with any plant, who knows (or ought to know) of any biosecurity risk, has a duty to ensure the risk is prevented, eliminated or minimised, so far as is reasonably practicable. |
For technical advice and assistance with identification please contact your local council weeds officer.
Reviewed 2014
