Farmer warns of ‘deadliest' plant growing on UK soil that's ‘enough to kill' – do you have it in your garden?

The Sun

3 days ago

A FARMER has warned of a deadly plant growing on UK soil, after learning his new land was covered in the flower.
The Facebook page Field to Farm shared a video of the farmer showing his pasture, which was blanketed in the poisonous plant.
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The farmer claims he has purchased the UK's "deadliest" field after finding his new field littered with Hemlock.
The highly poisonous plant deadly to humans
Hemlock is a highly poisonous flowering plant which can be fatal to humans, even in small amounts.
The flower affects the body's nervous system, eventually causing death by respiratory failure.
While the plant looks harmless, with umbrella-like clusters of white flowers, even the smallest amount can be enough to kill.
According to The Wildlife Trusts: "Hemlock has a repellent smell when its leaves are crushed, helping to ensure that accidental poisonings don't occur very often - even livestock studiously avoid it."
Farmer sends his warning
Upon discovering the plant in his new field, the farmer took to social media to warn his followers.
He said: "I have just bought a field to live in and I've realised it is full of poison."
He continued by explaining that Hemlock is commonly mistaken for wild carrot.
But added: "Just eating any single part of this plant is enough to kill me.
"The amount of this you have to eat to die is realistically quite small.
"Four or five leaves, done. Game over."
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His advice was to mow the plants down and you will most likely be ok, but take care to not get any of the sap on your skin because it will blister.
The farmer concluded: "So, all in all, if you've got this stuff growing, be careful."
What is Hemlock?
What is Hemlock?
Hemlock is a notoriously poisonous plant often found in damp places, such as ditches and riverbanks.
It can be identified by its umbrella-like clusters of white flowers in summer.
The plant is most commonly found in England and Wales, while being more scarce in Scotland and Northern Ireland.
What are the dangers?
Poisoning can occur if you accidentally infest the plant.
Symptoms can range from vomiting to seizures to respiratory failure.
Most of the time, hemlock is only poisonous when ingested, however, you should be careful when handling the plant.
In very rare cases, hemlock poisoning can occur after the toxins enter your bloodstream.
What to do if you come into contact with it:
If you think you may have accidentally ingested poison hemlock, you should call your healthcare provider right away.
There is no antidote, however, treatment may include:
Mechanical ventilation if you are having trouble breathing.
Antiseizure medication to control seizures.
Hemodialysis for renal failure.
Digestive system cleanse to get rid of the toxin.
IV to prevent dehydration and provide nutrition.
You can prevent poisoning by getting rid of any hemlock you have in your garden.
Sources: The Wildlife Trusts and Cleveland Clinic
Symptoms of Hemlock
Symptoms of Hemlock poisoning include sweating, vomiting, dilated pupils, dry mouth, rapid heartbeat and high blood pressure.
The plant is so poisonous that dead canes can remain toxic for up to three years.
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