Found primarily across temperate regions of Europe, the dangerous herb Conium maculatum subsp. viride is characterized by its vivid green appearance. This subspecies colonizes damp soils, waste grounds, and riverbanks. Every part of this plant contains high concentrations of coniine, a neurotoxin that causes respiratory failure in mammals.
This biennial herb produces erect, hollow stems that are typically a striking, uniform green, often lacking the dark purple spots characteristic of the nominate subspecies. The leaves are large, tripinnate, and highly dissected, resembling parsley or wild chervil. Large, flat-topped compound umbels of white flowers appear at the top of the stems during the warmth of summer.
Its seeds are small, dry fruits with prominent wavy ridges. The root system consists of a thick, white, carrot-like taproot that is extremely poisonous and can be easily mistaken for edible root vegetables.
Mid-summer
The subspecies name viride refers to its bright green color, which can sometimes make identification difficult for the untrained eye. Historically, poison hemlock was used in ancient Greece as a state-sanctioned method of execution, most famously killing the philosopher Socrates. Because it lacks the signature purple markings on the stem, this subspecies presents an even greater risk of accidental ingestion.
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