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Queen Anne? Or Sweet Cicely? Or Hemlock? #756747

Asked June 17, 2021, 9:43 AM EDT

I left two small weeds on my property last fall thinking they were Queen Anne's Lace, with the intention of pulling them this summer as they flowered, enjoying their leaves for ornamental value. Now that they have flowered/nearly flowered, I'm not so sure of their ID. One plant I'm fairly confident is Daucus carota, or Queen Anne's Lace. There are multiple thin stems coming from the crown, they are green, hairy and don't seem hollow. The branches alternate along their stem. The leaves have no odor to them. The flower lacks the characteristic black spot, though I know it can sometimes be missing. It is also about 3 feet tall, which I understand is larger than normal. This is the 1st picture included. The other plant is different. I don't believe it is hemlock but I need to be sure. I believe it to be Myrrhis odorata, or Sweet Cicely. There are two thick stems coming from the crown, they are shiny, green, ribbed, hairless and seem hollow. There is no purple mottling on the stems, but again I know it can sometimes be missing on hemlock. The branches circle around their stem. The leaves have a distinctly herbal and pleasant smell when crushed. It has not yet flowered. It is about 5 feet tall. I'd like more information on the cicely if that is the proper ID. I've not found much from Michigan Extension on this plant. The information I have gotten has been from the UK. Thank you!

Wayne County Michigan

Expert Response

Hello,

Thank you for your question and sending excellent pictures. The description of poison hemlock states that it has a purple spotted hollow stem. The picture of the stem that you sent does not have purple spots. Read more here from the Midwest Invasive Species Information Network (MISIN): https://www.misin.msu.edu/facts/detail/?project=misin&id=331&cname=Poison+hemlock

However, quite often it is difficult to differentiate one species from another by a photograph. It could be Sweet Cicely as you suggest or it could be Japanese hedgeparsley which is also considered an invasive species. You can read about it to compare with the plant that you have: https://www.misin.msu.edu/facts/detail/?project=misin&id=195&cname=Japanese+hedgeparsley

To obtain a more thorough analysis, you can send a sample to the Plant and Pest Diagnostic Clinic at MSU Extension. To learn how to send a sample, go to: https://www.canr.msu.edu/pestid/

Thank you for contacting Ask Extension

An Ask Extension Expert Replied June 17, 2021, 3:53 PM EDT

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