Technical


Hemlock Water Dropwort


Dead Man’s Finger!


Hemlock Water Dropwort is one of the lesser known weeds, but knowing how to identify and control it may be a life saver this spring. Monsanto’s Manda Sansom looks at this perennial aquatic weed


Agency seeks to prevent future flooding. As a result, the tuberous roots of Hemlock Water Dropwort, (Oenanthe crocata), known as Dead Man’s Fingers, may be exposed. A perennial growing to over a metre high in shallow water like streams, ditches, rivers and lakes, this is the most toxic plant to both humans and animals growing in Britain. It contains a powerful neurotoxin called oenanthetoxin, which triggers spasmodic convulsions, usually followed by sudden death.


A 132 I PC APRIL/MAY 2014


fter the wettest winter in history, many sports facilities and open spaces alongside watercourses will see the dredgers in action this spring as the Environment


Whilst the most toxic part of the plant is the tuberous root which give rise to the alternative name ‘Dead Man's Fingers’, all parts of the plant are poisonous and only a small amount of plant material can be fatal. For amenity managers with land used for


grazing at certain times of year, it is of particular concern - when stocking rates are high and where forage is in short supply, as happens in dry summers, stock may be tempted to eat the plant. It may be worth issuing warnings in open spaces where the public camp, picnic or forage.


Identifying the enemy


Hemlock Water Dropwort is a member of the Umbellifera family, but is distinctive because


The tuberous roots give rise to the alternative name ‘Dead Man’s Fingers’


Page 1  |  Page 2  |  Page 3  |  Page 4  |  Page 5  |  Page 6  |  Page 7  |  Page 8  |  Page 9  |  Page 10  |  Page 11  |  Page 12  |  Page 13  |  Page 14  |  Page 15  |  Page 16  |  Page 17  |  Page 18  |  Page 19  |  Page 20  |  Page 21  |  Page 22  |  Page 23  |  Page 24  |  Page 25  |  Page 26  |  Page 27  |  Page 28  |  Page 29  |  Page 30  |  Page 31  |  Page 32  |  Page 33  |  Page 34  |  Page 35  |  Page 36  |  Page 37  |  Page 38  |  Page 39  |  Page 40  |  Page 41  |  Page 42  |  Page 43  |  Page 44  |  Page 45  |  Page 46  |  Page 47  |  Page 48  |  Page 49  |  Page 50  |  Page 51  |  Page 52  |  Page 53  |  Page 54  |  Page 55  |  Page 56  |  Page 57  |  Page 58  |  Page 59  |  Page 60  |  Page 61  |  Page 62  |  Page 63  |  Page 64  |  Page 65  |  Page 66  |  Page 67  |  Page 68  |  Page 69  |  Page 70  |  Page 71  |  Page 72  |  Page 73  |  Page 74  |  Page 75  |  Page 76  |  Page 77  |  Page 78  |  Page 79  |  Page 80  |  Page 81  |  Page 82  |  Page 83  |  Page 84  |  Page 85  |  Page 86  |  Page 87  |  Page 88  |  Page 89  |  Page 90  |  Page 91  |  Page 92  |  Page 93  |  Page 94  |  Page 95  |  Page 96  |  Page 97  |  Page 98  |  Page 99  |  Page 100  |  Page 101  |  Page 102  |  Page 103  |  Page 104  |  Page 105  |  Page 106  |  Page 107  |  Page 108  |  Page 109  |  Page 110  |  Page 111  |  Page 112  |  Page 113  |  Page 114  |  Page 115  |  Page 116  |  Page 117  |  Page 118  |  Page 119  |  Page 120  |  Page 121  |  Page 122  |  Page 123  |  Page 124  |  Page 125  |  Page 126  |  Page 127  |  Page 128  |  Page 129  |  Page 130  |  Page 131  |  Page 132  |  Page 133  |  Page 134  |  Page 135  |  Page 136  |  Page 137  |  Page 138  |  Page 139  |  Page 140  |  Page 141  |  Page 142  |  Page 143  |  Page 144  |  Page 145  |  Page 146  |  Page 147  |  Page 148  |  Page 149  |  Page 150  |  Page 151  |  Page 152  |  Page 153  |  Page 154  |  Page 155  |  Page 156