PULLMAN, WA – A health advisory has been issued to remind the public about the dangers of poison hemlock.

Whitman County Public Health has issued the advisory about the toxic plant. Poison hemlock is currently blooming locally in open sunny areas like roadsides. Eating even a small amount of the plant can be deadly to people and animals.

There is no antidote for poison hemlock. The toxic plant looks similar to edible varieties like parsley and parsnip. Poison hemlock is a hollow plant that can grow up to ten feet tall with white flowers and bright green fern-like leaves, hairless stems and purple-red spots and streaks.

Whitman County Public Health is advising the public to avoid cutting the plants because it could create toxic dust and never compost poison hemlock.