poison hemlock

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poison hemlock

poison hemlock lethally poisonous herbaceous plant ( Conium maculatum ) of the family Umbelliferae ( parsley family). It has rank, finely divided foliage, flat-topped clusters of small white flowers, and a hollow, purple-mottled stem. Although native to the Old World, it is now naturalized and common in parts of the United States. The poisonous principle (the alkaloid coniine) causes paralysis, convulsions, and eventual death. Poison hemlock was used in ancient Greece in executions; a famous example was the philosopher Socrates. The related water hemlock (any species of Cicuta ) is similar in appearance and as poisonous. C. maculata, called also musquash-root, spotted cowbane, and beaver poison, is the common species of E North America. The evergreen trees called hemlock are unrelated. Poison hemlock is classified in the division Magnoliophyta , class Magnoliopsida, order Apiales, family Umbelliferae.

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hemlock

The Oxford Dictionary of Phrase and Fable | 2006 | | Â© The Oxford Dictionary of Phrase and Fable 2006, originally published by Oxford University Press 2006. (Hide copyright information) Copyright

hemlock in ancient Greece, the poison obtained from this plant was a method of execution; Socrates was put to death in this way.

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ELIZABETH KNOWLES. "hemlock." The Oxford Dictionary of Phrase and Fable. Oxford University Press. 2006. Encyclopedia.com. 18 Dec. 2009 <http://www.encyclopedia.com>.

ELIZABETH KNOWLES. "hemlock." The Oxford Dictionary of Phrase and Fable. Oxford University Press. 2006. Encyclopedia.com. (December 18, 2009). http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O214-hemlock.html

ELIZABETH KNOWLES. "hemlock." The Oxford Dictionary of Phrase and Fable. Oxford University Press. 2006. Retrieved December 18, 2009 from Encyclopedia.com: http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O214-hemlock.html

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The Columbia Encyclopedia, Sixth Edition entry for water hemlock

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