Physic nut
Jatropha curcas
Spurge (Euphoriaceae) Family
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Description: This shrub or small tree has large, 3- to 5-parted
alternate leaves. It has small, greenish-yellow flowers and its yellow, apple-sized fruits contain
three large seeds.
| CAUTION |
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The seeds taste sweet but their oil is violently purgative. All parts
of the physic nut are poisonous.
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Habitat and Distribution: Throughout the tropics and southern United States.
Poison hemlock, fool's parsley
Conium maculatum
Parsley (Apiaceae) Family
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Description: This biennial herb may grow to 2.5 meters high.
The smooth, hollow stem may or may not be purple or red striped or mottled. Its white
flowers are small and grow in small groups that tend to form flat umbels. Its long, turnip
like taproot is solid.
| CAUTION |
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This plant is very poisonous and even a very small amount may cause
death. This plant is easy to confuse with wild carrot or Queen Anne's
lace, especially in its first stage of growth. Wild carrot or Queen Anne's
lace has hairy leaves and stems and smells like carrot. Poison hemlock
does not.
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Habitat and Distribution: Poison hemlock grows in wet or
moist ground like swamps, wet meadows, stream banks, and ditches. Native to Eurasia,
it has been introduced to the United States and Canada.
| Updated:
26 February 2011 |
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Born on 14 January 2000 |
