SPECIALIST HEMLOCK WATER DROPWORT CONTROL SERVICES

OUR SPECIALIST CONTROL SERVICES WILL TREAT OR ERADICATE THIS SPECIES. TO FIND OUT IF YOU HAVE HEMLOCK WATER DROPWORT USE OUR FREE ID TOOL OR BOOK A SURVEY

treatment & removal

Hemlock water dropwort can be effectively treated with suitable approved herbicides, however mechanical excavation can immediately remove the plants, its root system and in-the-soil seed bank. The plant propagules (roots and seeds) need to be completely removed to ensure no recurrance of growth.

Monitoring of where his plant occurs is advised as seed dispersal can allow the plant to spread quickly in places where it may not be desirable (growing in an invasive manner).

Any contact with the plant during treatment or eradication must be done with suitable protective clothing (PPE).

To find out the best way to control or remove Hemlock water dropwort, and the best time of year to have treatment or eradication carried out get in touch.

WHY IS HEMLOCK WATER DROPWORT A PROBLEM?

britain’s most toxic plant

Hemlock Water dropwort is a native plant and is part of our natural eco-system.

It is however also the most toxic plant in the UK, which means it can often be undesirable plant to have on your property or in maintained public open spaces.

Every part of the plant is toxic if ingested and it is strongly advised not to disturb the plant unless you know what you’re doing and take the necessary precautions/protection.

The root of this plant are the most toxic and have an alternative name of ‘Dead Man’s Finger’s’ due to their appearance when poking out of mud or water.

No British wild plant has been responsible for more fatal accidents, in one instance a party of workmen repairing a hole that had appeared in a Canal tow-path dug up and ate the roots, mistaking them for parsnips. This proved fatal within just 3 hours for one of the men.

ABOUT HEMLOCK WATER DROPWORT

SCIENTIFIC NAME: Oenanthe crocata
ORIGIN: UK

Hemlock Water dropwort is a native plant to the UK and an umbellifer species characterized by umbrella-like clusters of small flowers blooming during the UK summer.

It propagates via prolific seed production following flowering, the seeds are readily spread via waterways. Our services can control or remove it to prevent this.

It is extremely toxic if ingested – in fact this is the most toxic plant to both humans and animals in Britain. Not to be confused with its equally toxic cousin Hemlock (Conium maculatum). In pre-Roman Sardinia Hemlock water dropwort was used as a humane agent of euthanasia. Ingesting the plant caused contortion of the face into a smile (named risus sardonicus by physicians), and so it became known as the plant that caused a ‘sardonic smile’.

• Perennial plant growing up to 150 cm tall.
• Hollow, cylindrical, grooved stems up to 3.5 cm across.
• Flat heads of small white flowers appear in late spring that can grow up to 1.5 m in height.
• Leaves look similar to the herb Chervil and smell of parsley, making it easy to mistake as a safe foraging plant.

HABITAT

Common along river and stream banks, marshes, lakes, ponds and canals. It is also readily found in damp grassland habitats and wet woodland.

IMPACT: HIGH

Whilst it can provide natural stabilisation to riverbanks and help compete against invasive non-native species (INNS) such as Himalayan balsam, it can be undesirable.

Its impact is ‘high’ due to the severity of the toxicity of the plant making it undesirable.

Its tuberous roots (often referred to as ‘dead man fingers’) can become exposed when flooding, dredging or dry summers cause bank erosion. The tuberous roots are sweet tasting (apparently) and appear palatable to grazing animals. Ingestion of the roots will typically prove fatal for humans and animals.

For amenity managers landowners/farmers with land used for grazing at certain times of year, it is of particular concern due to its high toxicity.

Due to its ability to spread quickly and occupy large swathes of land combined with its toxicity it is regarded as an undesirable plant in maintained public open spaces.

TOXICITY: HIGH

All parts of the plant are deadly poisonous but the roots contain the highest concentration of toxins. The toxic compound is oenanthotoxin, which poisons the central nervous system of mammals. The symptoms of poisoning include convulsions, seizures, nausea, diarrhoea and tachycardia. Quite small amounts can be lethal.