Knowledgebase
Queen Anne? Or Sweet Cicely? Or Hemlock? #756747
Asked June 17, 2021, 9:43 AM EDT
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