Conium L.

1 species naturalized Aust.; Qld, NSW, Vic., Tas., S.A.

*Conium maculatum L.

Erect, glabrous biennial 1.5–2 m high. Leaves much dissected, up to 30 cm long and wide, with an unpleasant odour; petioles hollow. Stems and petioles marked with purple spots. Umbels compound, with 10–15 rays and with c. 5 small reflexed involucral bracts; umbellules many-flowered, with 3 unilateral bracteoles. Sepals absent. Petals white with an incurved point. Fruit broad-ovoid, c. 3 mm long; mericarps with 5 prominent undulate ribs; vittae absent. Naturalized in places as a garden escape. Very poisonous. Introd. from Europe and W. Asia. Hemlock