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HEMLOCK: THE THINKING MAN’S DEATH SENTENCE
Like most families, the Apiaceae family of aromatic herbs and spice plants has one member nobody likes to discuss: hemlock. While most of these plants are content to add a dash of zest to your meal (or in the case of carrot and celery, become part of it), hemlock will straight-up paralyze your heart and lungs with a high enough dosage, making it a very risky ingredient for your pasta salad. Hemlock is well known for its use as an execution poison of the ancient Greeks, most famously administered to Socrates for the crime of being a wise-ass, and the Socratic association made it a go-to reference when famous writers (Diderot, Keats, Hemingway) wanted to name-drop a fancy poison. Those seeking a hip, modern, New World alternative to common European hemlock should look up water hemlock, described by the USDA as “the most violently toxic plant that grows in North America.”
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9 Comments
All Australians are descended from convicts? The Aboriginal community might beg to differ.
February 10 2013 at 11:00 AM Report abuse Permalink +1 rate up rate down ReplyI can vouch that Datura Stramonium aka Jimpson weed is a crappy buzz.
February 10 2013 at 3:42 AM Report abuse Permalink rate up rate down Replysnakeroot - not rootsnake
February 09 2013 at 11:44 PM Report abuse Permalink rate up rate down ReplyAnd why do we have to see about your hatred for President Obama, Tom Currie
February 09 2013 at 7:59 PM Report abuse Permalink +2 rate up rate down ReplyMaybe cause Tom Currie is a sore loser,
February 10 2013 at 5:27 AM Report abuse Permalink +1 rate up rate down Replyget over it Tom, Remember, its about Plants not politics.
exactly ...what poor loser to write stuff about a sitting president. Just think...4 more years and you\'ll still find yourself on the wrong side of history..Tom you are a sick bass tird.
February 10 2013 at 9:26 AM Report abuse Permalink +1 rate up rate down ReplyAmanita Muscaria - the mario mushroom, totally red
February 09 2013 at 5:17 PM Report abuse Permalink rate up rate down ReplyRidiculous. In Fla where I grew up we had oleanders planted in the yard and trimmed them every year. They were planted and grew by the parks on the bay where we swam and had picnics. They are beautiful plants. Just don\'t eat them.... like most plants.
February 09 2013 at 12:53 PM Report abuse Permalink rate up rate down ReplyLet\'s not forget those killer tomatoes.
February 08 2013 at 8:02 PM Report abuse Permalink +1 rate up rate down Reply