DEADLY WEED

Greymouth Evening Star, 16 September 1946, Page 4

DEADLY WEED

HEMLOCK IN GREYMOUTH PLANT FOUND'ALMOST IN CENTRE OF TOWN ' I A WARNING TO PARENTS Poisonous hemlock, which caused the death of a four-year-old girl at Hawera last week, may be found in many localities in the Grey district. In fact, almost in the centre of the business area of Greymouth are growing m’any flourishing specimens. x * Many empty sections in the town are dotted with clumps of this deadly weed, which also grows along roadsides and railway lines. Beside the railway line leading to the Cobden tip-head there-are many flourishing clumps. Most of these infected areasare easy of access to children and, in view of the Hawera fatality, caution on the part of parents and children is undoubtedly necessary. This view was expressed this morning by the stock inspector, at Greymouth, Mr. J. Fleming, who showed an Evening Star ’reporter several clumps of hemlock growing in sections at the western end of Mackay street. One plant, taken from a section, ■ had grown to a height of one foot, but the plant may grow five feet. Making best growth in damp places, the weed is best described as resembling a green filmy fern by which name it is sometimes known. It is also commonly known as wild carrot fern or wild parsnip fern. The hemlock stem has in fact, the apeparance of the top of the ordinary garden carrot, only bigger. It flourishes just as well on wastelands as on rich grasslands.

The plant may be easily recognised by.its furrowed, purple-spotted stem. Its flowers are white and appear at the top of the stem in umbels of fi;om ten to 20 rays. When bruised it gives off a strong parsley smell. Because of its fatal effect on stock, the West Coast farmers are quick to eradicate any isolated growth of hemlock. The number of areas in Greymouth on which this noxious weed is allowed to thrive, however, is considered to be alarming and the Hawera fatality may act as a warning to parents who, if they find specimens of hemlock in nearby empty sections, can easily destroy them by burning or by immersion in boiling water.