Learn about the distinguishing characteristics of each plant to tell poison hemlock and Queen Anne’s lace apart.
Do not get too close to the plant, and never touch it without proper protective gear.
The plants die back during the winter and reemerge in the spring of the second year.
Queen Anne’s laceAli Majdfar / Getty Images
The leaves on the upper part of the stem are not as large as the base leaves.
Queen Annes lace leaves are gray-green in color, three-lobed, and fern-like, with hairy edges.
Queen Annes lace is easy to identify based on its bristly, hairy stem with vertical ribs.
Queen Anne’s lace has a hairy stemSilviu Carol Cenusa / Getty Images
It’s much thinner than poison hemlock’s stem.
Larger individual plants require removal with a shovel.
A big patch is likely due to a considerable seed bank in the soil.
Poison hemlock foliageAlexander Zam / Getty Images
Dispose of pulled plants in the garbage, not in the compost.
The seeds spread from there, and composting does not eliminate the toxins.
The plant’s sap is toxic to people.
Poison hemlock foliagedlinca / Getty Images
Poison hemlock identification and control.
Michigan State University MSU Extension.
Queen Anne’s Lace.
The stem of poison hemlock has purple blotchesdlinca / Getty Images
Invasive Plant Atlas of the United States.
Be Careful Around Highly Toxic Poison Hemlock Plant This Summer.
Queen Anne’s Lace.
Queen Anne’s lace seedheadJacky Parker Photography / Getty Images
