If you have seen Cow Parsnip and Poison Hemlock together, you already know they are hard to distinguish due to their similar appearance.
You can differentiate between Cow Parsnip vs Poison Hemlock plants by looking at their stems as Parsnips have hairy green stems with a purple tint while Hemlocks have hairless, green stems with purple blotches.
Also, the lookalike flowers are not similar if you look closely. Thus, ensure to read till the end so you can tell the difference apart easily.
Cow Parsnip & Poison Hemlock: Similarities
Belonging to the same Carrot family, Cow Parsnip and Poison Hemlock are often mistaken for each other.
They are both biennial herbaceous plants that thrive in similar moist areas like near wetlands and stream banks.
The confusion mainly arises from their similar leaf features, lookalike tiny white flowers and can coexist in the same place.
Both plants feature compound leaves made up of multiple leaflets in a pinnate or bipinnate fashion.
Cow Parsnip Vs Poison Hemlock: Differences
You can easily distinguish between Cow Parsnip and Poison Hemlock with keen eyes and prior knowledge.
Despite the lookalike appearance at first glimpse, they are not the same and have very distinct features.
Here is a categorized vs table between Cow Parsnip and Poison Hemlock.
Features
Cow Parsnip
Poison Hemlock
Scientific Name Heracleum Maximum Conium maculatum
Leaf Color Light green with matt finish
Bright to dark green color varying with plant age
Plant Size 4-8 feet tall
4-6 feet but can grow up to 10 feet tall
Blooming Time April to June Late Spring, usually June and July
Flower Number 15-30 rays in the umbel structured flowers
Flower Cluster Spread
Smell
12 inches across in diameter
Pleasant smell (a mix of Parsley and Aniseed)
Toxicity The sap can cause irritation and rashes to the skin as a mildly toxic plant
8-16 umbellets per compound umbel
2-5 inches across in diameter
Poor, musty, mice-like unpleasant smell
All parts of the plant is highly toxic that can be lethal to pets, livestock and humans
Editor’s Note
Be Careful While Handling These Plants!
Both Cow Parsnip and Poison Hemlock are toxic and can induce itchy rashes if you touch them without wearing gloves.
Thus, always wear protective gear if you are working around them. Also, steer clear and do not touch any plants that you can not identify on your own.
All The Best!