Carrot family identification.

Question: The pictured plant looks like poison hemlock based on the leaves and purple spotting on stem but has visible hairs on the petioles. Not in flower yet. Can I be certain it is not poison hemlock? Is every single part of poison hemlock always completely hairless?

responder: Answered by the Home and Garden Information Center (HGIC), University of Maryland Extension. For timely gardening information and tips, subscribe to our Maryland Grows blog and quarterly newsletter. Follow us on Facebook, Instagram, and YouTube. Replied May 09, 2023, 1:37 PM EDT
response: Hi,  We think that this appears to be poison hemlock but can't be certain. Either way, if it's an undesirable weed in your yard/garden, it may not matter much if it's poison hemlock since you still need to physically or chemically get rid of it, and one should always be careful removing unidentified weeds anyway in case the sap (or thorns, bristles, etc.) irritates the skin. All parts of this plant are poisonous if ingested and the sap can hurt some people if it comes in contact with their skin.  If they don't want to go near it, then at least being biennial it will die on its own at the end of this year, assuming this is its second year of growth. Then, all you have to do is prevent it from producing seed by cutting off any flower heads. Treat it like you would when dealing with poison ivy to be safe.  https://marylandgrows.umd.edu/?s=poison+hemlock https://www.dec.ny.gov/animals/72766.html https://bygl.osu.edu/index.php/node/1935 Emily

responder: The Question Asker Replied May 09, 2023, 1:53 PM EDT
response: Thank you, I'm glad I wasn't the only one uncertain about it. If not for the hairs I would be convinced. Perhaps when it flowers I'll be able to identify it.-------- Original Message --------On May 9, 2023, 1:37 PM, Ask Extension wrote:

responder: Answered by the Home and Garden Information Center (HGIC), University of Maryland Extension. For timely gardening information and tips, subscribe to our Maryland Grows blog and quarterly newsletter. Follow us on Facebook, Instagram, and YouTube. Replied May 09, 2023, 2:09 PM EDT
response: Yes the hairs on the stems is confusing. One of our weed experts says that isn't uncommon (the other has not weighed in yet- so if they get back to us and say differently, we will let you know).

responder: The Question Asker Replied June 20, 2023, 2:16 PM EDT
response: Hey, thanks for the help, just wanted to provide an update.I have identified it as Chaerophyllum prescottii. Would have been impossible to know just based on the pictures I sent but after more observation and seeing the seed it became clear. It does look very similar to poison hemlock but the main differences are the hairy lower stems and petioles, and the seeds are more elongated. Best. ------- Original Message ------- On Tuesday, May 9th, 2023 at 2:09 PM, Ask Extension <<personal data hidden>> wrote:

responder: Answered by the Home and Garden Information Center (HGIC), University of Maryland Extension. For timely gardening information and tips, subscribe to our Maryland Grows blog and quarterly newsletter. Follow us on Facebook, Instagram, and YouTube. Replied June 21, 2023, 1:37 PM EDT
response: To our knowledge, that species of Chervil is not found in North America (nor are there records of any plants escaping from a garden setting on the Maryland Biodiversity Project Webpage-a database of where plants are noted in the state) unless it sprouted from seeds in a nearby garden that is cultivating itPoison Hemlock is more likely, but it may not matter too much if you plan on getting rid of it anyway. We would definitely not recommend eating it, to be safe.  If you still have photos of the flowers or seeds, we would like to see photos if you can share what those look like!  Emily

responder: The Question Asker Replied June 21, 2023, 5:01 PM EDT
response: Yeah after your email and further observation I looked through my records and I had in fact dispersed some seeds of that species about a year or two ago. Without knowing that I never would have been able to identify it. Nothing grew until this year though. See photos of flowers/immature seed and lower hairy stem. -------- Original Message --------On Jun 21, 2023, 1:37 PM, Ask Extension wrote:

responder: Answered by the Home and Garden Information Center (HGIC), University of Maryland Extension. For timely gardening information and tips, subscribe to our Maryland Grows blog and quarterly newsletter. Follow us on Facebook, Instagram, and YouTube. Replied June 22, 2023, 9:19 AM EDT
response: Ahhh, ok! Glad you were able to remember and not make a mistake with a poisonous plant! Assuming that the chervil is a biennial like the others and maybe it took a year to be cold stratified and then start growing. Thanks for the photos!