[annie123 (OP)]

Hemlock has recently been identified as an invasive species growing wild in my area.Does one have to eat it to be killed? or can its poison rub off on you? We have been warned about touching it. Or does it have to be made into a tea to be dangerous?

[Don_1]

There are two species of Hemlock, Cicuta (Water hemlock) and Conium (Poison hemlock).

In fact both plants are poisonous, but it is the Conium which is the most toxic, most common and most often responsible for poisoning.

While the plant grows undamaged, it emits a chemical warning which grazing animals recognise and avoid. However when damaged, the broken part of the plant no longer emits this warning, but still remains highly toxic.

All parts of the plant are toxic, but it is the root, seeds and young shoots which are the most toxic, containing 5 alkaloids.

Accidentally ingested small quantities can result in birth defects among sheep, cattle, goats, horses and pigs. Larger quantities will often result in death.

As far as humans are concerned, even small quantities can be fatal. The leaves can be mistaken for parsley and the root for parsnip, both members of the same family. The toxins cause paralysis of the neuromuscular systems. Death is caused by the paralysis of the respiratory muscles. (Heart, diaphragm). There is no known antidote and death can result in just an hour or two. A woman in the USA died after consuming a salad to which Hemlock leaves had been added mistakenly.

Though the main cause of poisoning is by ingestion and the plant is generally not toxic to touch, pulling out the plant or any prolonged contact can result in the plant oils entering the body subcutaneously. It is certainly best to avoid the plant and ALWAYS to wear protective clothing when dealing with an infestation.

[annie123 (OP)]

Thanks! the part about the salad is alarming! i don't think I will eat a salad in any restaurant here for a long time.

[JohnDoe]

Old thread, but how many grams of hemlock seeds would it take to kill a human being?

[Bored chemist]

Just one seed would do- if it was moving fast enough when it hit you.

Why do you want to know?

[JohnDoe]

There is information on how many leaves are lethal and how much of the root is lethal, but I cant find information about the seeds, which are supposed to have the highest concentration of  the toxic coniine in them.

Edit: I found that LD50 for Coniceine is 12mg/kg and for Coniine it's 100mg/kg (in rats and mice)

Now I need to know how much coniceine and coiine there are in the hemlock seeds.

Thanks!

[Bored chemist]

Now I need to know how much coniceine and coiine there are in the hemlock seeds.

Why do you want to know?

[CliffordK]

Keep in mind that Hemlock in the USA is somewhat different, and I don't believe very toxic.



However, I wouldn't wish to have a big one fall on me. 

I can't say for Hemlock, but there are some seeds that may be poisonous, but they can have oil extracted that is edible...  if one is careful.  Otherwise, I wouldn't play with the stuff without actually having it tested.

[Colin2B]

Keep in mind that Hemlock in the USA is somewhat different, and I don't believe very toxic.

However, I wouldn't wish to have a big one fall on me. 

LOL, socrates killed by falling tree!

[jeffreyH]

Do I hear a faint Monty Python song about philosophers?

[JohnDoe]

I have about 600 or 3 grams of poison hemlock seeds, just curious if that's enough to kill a person if ingested.

What place would be the best to ask this question?