Dead Man's Fingers. A warning!!

nelliethehooker
nelliethehooker Club Member Posts: 13,636 ✭
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edited March 2021 in Your Pets #1

There are recent reports from both Cumbria, St Bees beach, and Cornwall, Porthkidney, of Hemlock water dropwort which can prove fatal to humans and animals by attacking the nervous system and causing the body to shut down. They are known as "poisonous parsnips" and "dead man's fingers" because of their shape. They are said to be one of the most poisonous plants in the northern hemisphere.

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-cumbria-56370544

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-cornwall-43342749

 

 

Comments

  • LLM
    LLM Forum Participant Posts: 1,555 ✭✭
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    edited March 2021 #2

    The main toxic constituent of hemlock water dropwort is oenanthotoxin. The concentration of this poison in the plant roots is highest in winter and spring and ingestion of very small amounts may prove fatal. Not much risk from the flowers or leaves but best not touched or eaten.

  • brue
    brue Forum Participant Posts: 21,176 ✭✭✭✭✭
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    edited March 2021 #3

    There are several uses of the name "dead man's fingers" including fungus and certain types of crab parts. Thanks for the info Nellie, sounds horrible! frown

  • scoutman
    scoutman Club Member Posts: 441 ✭✭✭
    edited March 2021 #4

    There are warning signs with pictures all over Pembrey Country Park about these plants.

  • Takethedogalong
    Takethedogalong Forum Participant Posts: 17,027 ✭✭✭
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    edited March 2021 #5

    Horrible plant. You see it growing all over the place, but seldom are the roots exposed. Porth Kidney is our favourite Cornish beach, so thanks for heads up Nellie. I see a dog had a prolonged fit after eating a tiny amount at Godrevy as well☹️Luckily it survived.

    Its amazing what happens to some beaches after a severe storm, they look completely different, dunes badly eroded etc....

  • nelliethehooker
    nelliethehooker Club Member Posts: 13,636 ✭
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    edited March 2021 #6

    It was WN who brought it to my notice, so the thanks should equally to to him. Just hope that the warning is heeded and nobody or their pets come into contact with it. Anybody spotting it should report it's occurrence to the relevant local authority.

  • Navigateur
    Navigateur Forum Participant Posts: 3,880
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    edited March 2021 #7

    Could someone post a picture please.

  • nelliethehooker
    nelliethehooker Club Member Posts: 13,636 ✭
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    edited March 2021 #8

     Just click on either of  the two links that I put in the OP, Nav, they both have pictures of the offending plant.

  • Takethedogalong
    Takethedogalong Forum Participant Posts: 17,027 ✭✭✭
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    edited March 2021 #9

    Really do look like small Parsnips, the roots. Never seen exposed roots before, but do recognise foliage and flowering stems. Sort of thing easily confused for something else.

  • SeasideBill
    SeasideBill Forum Participant Posts: 2,112
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    edited March 2021 #10

    This stuff found in Cornwall could kill you as well...

     

  • mickysf
    mickysf Forum Participant Posts: 6,474 ✭✭✭
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    edited March 2021 #11

    This plant has grown in many parts of our countryside for hundreds, if not thousands of years. It is even found in damp areas of some playing fields. Its roots and other parts of the plant do not look dissimilar to many other umbrelifers. It would be imposible to eradicate this native plant and like with all flora do not touch or ingest anything unless absolutely confident it's okay. As for pets, just be mindful of what they are doing!

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