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wildfoodie123
Joined: 18 Nov 2009
Posts: 10
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 Posted: Wed Nov 18, 09 5:45 pm Post subject: Distinguishing between poison hemlock and edibles |
 
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Thus far I've been reluctant to eat anything with white umbels and feathery green leaves for fear of it being hemlock or fool's parsley. Can anyone explain the proper distinction between hemlock and fool's parlsey and the various plants that look like them such as cow parsley, sweet cicely, ground elder, hogweed etc. Thanks |
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cab
Joined: 01 Nov 2004
Posts: 30158
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| Posted: Wed Nov 18, 09 5:52 pm Post subject: |
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To explain the differences is a pig. To demonstrate is relatively easy. |
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nettie
Joined: 02 Dec 2004
Posts: 5627
Location: Suffolk
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| Posted: Wed Nov 18, 09 5:55 pm Post subject: |
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I can sympathise with wildfoodie123. I'm wary of these too and know I'll be OK once I'm shown them in real life. I'm the same with fairy ring champignons! Really must get around to going on a wild food foray. |
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welshboy454
Joined: 21 May 2009
Posts: 92
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| Posted: Wed Nov 18, 09 6:20 pm Post subject: |
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I think Hemlock usually has its roots ( a white root)in water or very very close to it.
The other plant(forget its name) which looks a bit like it usually grows on dry ground -often on roadside hedgebanks. I am sure an expert will be along shortly. |
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wildfoodie123
Joined: 18 Nov 2009
Posts: 10
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| Posted: Wed Nov 18, 09 6:44 pm Post subject: |
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| welshboy454 wrote: |
I think Hemlock usually has its roots ( a white root)in water or very very close to it.
The other plant(forget its name) which looks a bit like it usually grows on dry ground -often on roadside hedgebanks. I am sure an expert will be along shortly. |
I think you're confusing hemlock with water dropwort. Hemlock grows on roadside hedgebanks and such like - in other words exactly the places where the edibles are to be found - and that's where the confusion arises for me. |
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lottie
Joined: 11 Aug 2005
Posts: 4004
Location: ceredigion
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| Posted: Wed Nov 18, 09 7:50 pm Post subject: |
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I'm like Wildfoodie123--very wary of anything good that could be confused with something poisonous---I prefer to be a wimp rather than become the first D.S. mushroom/plant poisoning victim. |
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hedgehogpie
Joined: 02 May 2006
Posts: 484
Location: Kent
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| Posted: Wed Nov 18, 09 8:53 pm Post subject: |
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A few distinguishing features of Hemlock apart from it's height - up to approx 2 mtrs, sometimes even taller - are the smooth stem with purplish blotches (unlike Hogweed, which has a ridged, slightly hairy stem and is uniform green). Hemlock also smells like mouse urine - but since I wouldn't necessarily expect you to know how that smelt I'd also descibe it as a distinctively fetid and rather unpleasant odour.
As Cab says though, differences are really easier to show than describe. |
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sarahloo
Joined: 01 Jun 2007
Posts: 87
Location: Reading, Berkshire
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| Posted: Wed Nov 18, 09 9:28 pm Post subject: |
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Ground Elder and Hogweed are the easiest, I think, as they have fairly dinstinctive leaves which are much more "solid" than some of the other umbellifers. This is the shape of Ground Elder:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/skycarrots/3884704075/
And this is a pic of some very young shoots of the same:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/skycarrots/3299777747/
The only similar thing I've come across is young leaves of the garden variety of Angelica, which isn't poisonous...
I'd dearly love to be able to identify wild chervil and sweet cicely. If anyone can help me out I'd be most grateful!
http://www.flickr.com/photos/skycarrots/4064519441/
Hemlock seems to be more feathery leaved? Although Hemlock Water Dropwort looks like celery! :/ |
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Truffle
Joined: 07 Feb 2006
Posts: 411
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| Posted: Thu Nov 19, 09 7:55 am Post subject: |
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smell is a good way to aid identification:
ground elder = quite like junipers/gin (i find)
sweet Cicely = deliciously sweet anise
truffle |
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beckyboots
Joined: 10 Nov 2009
Posts: 19
Location: Yatton
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| Posted: Thu Nov 19, 09 8:37 am Post subject: |
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Hello WF,
I could recommend a friend of mine who has a wild food business and runs comprehensive forays and has several degrees on the subject.
My understanding is however, elder when young in the spring and the easiest to ID tastes distinctively of young carrot, therefore making it easier to ID.
I would agree with Hedgehogpie with regards Hemlock but just to add that the leaf of hog weed is rounder also Hemlock leaves go to more of a point.
You are correct about water dropwort too it's roots grow in water.
I have seen people pick this thinking its Alexanders...........ugh.
By the way..........Alexanders is out now and ready to pick in some areas esp mine........ |
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Midland Spinner
Joined: 13 Jan 2009
Posts: 492
Location: Under a green roof
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| Posted: Thu Nov 19, 09 9:04 am Post subject: |
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a) Go on a foraging course.
b) Get a good plant identification book and learn to use the Keys.
Rose's Wild Flower Key was recommended when I was at Uni. I still use my copy (actually it's OH's  ) I understand that it's been re-issued. Mine is a paperback & well thumbed.
Practice on plants that you already know - that will help you get the hang of using the keys. |
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cab
Joined: 01 Nov 2004
Posts: 30158
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| Posted: Thu Nov 19, 09 9:16 am Post subject: |
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...or let us all know roughly where you are, if anyone nearby can help you out, I'm sure thats do-able. |
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bubble
Joined: 13 Apr 2008
Posts: 253
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| Posted: Thu Nov 19, 09 10:45 am Post subject: |
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learn the poisonous species well first,and then gradually go on to the others!!!!I am lucky I was brought up to know many wild plants as I was growing up,now have a good interest in plants and attention to detail .Sorry no degrees just a lay electrician!!!Yes I can do wild food walks but I can't be bothered.   |
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lottie
Joined: 11 Aug 2005
Posts: 4004
Location: ceredigion
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| Posted: Thu Nov 19, 09 11:03 am Post subject: |
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T.B.H.-with a combination of what is easily recogniseable and safe and what I can grow available to eat I don't feel the need to play russian roulette with poisonous plants/fungi whose i.d. isn't immediately obvious to someone who isn't an expert. Obviously I lack the proper downsizing spirit.  |
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cab
Joined: 01 Nov 2004
Posts: 30158
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| Posted: Thu Nov 19, 09 11:09 am Post subject: |
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It really isn't hard to spot sweet cicely, cow parsley, hogweed, ground elder, and a number of other edible umbellifers. Theres no Russian roulette do it, but it is hard to explain how to do it online. |
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