This toxic plant looks almost identical to harmless Queen Annes Lace wildflowers.
Having wildflowers spontaneously spring up in your garden can be endearing at times.
To avoid confusing the two look-alike plants, here’s how to tell them apart.
Credit: Getty Images
Poisoning can occur because of its similarity to other plants.
Its roots can be confused with wild parsnip, leaves with parsley, and seeds with anise.
If youre unsure about positively identifying the plant, play it safe and stay away from it.
Credit: Getty Images
To avoid confusing it with poison hemlock, here are a few ways to differentiate between the two plants.
Queen Anne’s lace has no purple spots on its stem, which is hairy.
The umbel of poison hemlock is more rounded and the flowers are not as tightly clustered together.
An umbel of Queen Anne’s lace. Queen Anne’s lace has a hairy stem and pronged bracts at the base of the flowers.Credit: Getty Images
Call a professional for large infestations.
Contact your local extension office to let an expert identify it for you.
These plants include cow parsnip and wild parsnip.
There are many other look-alikes that are not toxic, such as yarrow and common ragweed.
Queen Anne’s lace is native to Europe and Eastern Asia.
This species spread to North America and now coexists with native species.
Queen Anne’s lace is considered an invasive and noxious weed.
Do so in mid to late summer before it flowers and sets seeds.
Bees and butterflies are attracted to it, so consider replacing it with another pollinator-friendly plant.
University of Minnesota Extension.Poison hemlock.
U.S. Department of Agriculture.Poison hemlock.
American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals.Poison hemlock.
NC State Extension.Daucus carota.
Jefferson County Noxious Weed Control Board.Poison Hemlock Fact Sheet.
University of California Integrated Pest Management Program.Poison Hemlock.
