Poison Hemlock, beware

[dudemanspecial]

The names "weeds" and "jagger bushes" covers a lot of plants.

While fishing yesterday I came across some thick jaggers blocking my way. It dawned on me that perhaps the scissors I carry in my vest would be able to cut through them. Not only did they, they did it with ease. Total game changing moment for me.

 

[ChuckofWagon]

Green stem with purple blotches and no hairs=Poison Hemlock

Green stem with purple blotches and thick white hairs= Giant Hogweed

Green stem without purple blotches and thin white hairs =Cow parsnip

~5footfenwick

So...if green and has blotches....stay away. (BTW..there is no trout worthy of a case of poison anything)

 

[dudemanspecial]

(BTW..there is no trout worthy of a case of poison anything)

That's debatable.

 

[TroutHunter814]

Adam Haritan ( Learn you land) has a great video all about Poison Hemlock.
It’s worth a view to learn more about it.

 

[Mike]

The names "weeds" and "jagger bushes" covers a lot of plants.

Yes, and during fish population surveys I heard some good ones too. As they watched us process our fish, the kids in Clintondale, Clinton Co (Fishing Ck) referred to long-nosed dace as “gruntleys” and the kids along Dunkard Ck, Greene Co near Mt Morris referred to northern hogsuckers as “muddle-heads.” Those were two humorous local names that stuck with me since the mid to late 1970’s.

 

[Tigereye]

So...if green and has blotches....stay away. (BTW..there is no trout worthy of a case of poison anything)

I've had Ivy so many times it is now more a nuisance than anything.
Hogweed on the other hand is a different ballgame. THAT $#!+ IS NASTY

 

[springer1]

Tecnu, the Expert in Outdoor Itch Relief

Trust Tecnu the “Outdoor Itch Expert” to solve your poison ivy & oak rash, insect bites, and more so you can keep enjoying the outdoors.

tecnu.com

This Tecnu stuff *Really, Seriously* does work. If you feel you’ve been exposed, wash your arms & hands (maybe face) with this after tossing your clothes into the washer . Their information explains why normal soap doesn’t work …… If you’ve ever re-greased wheel bearings or U-Joints or etc, you know the kind of oil/grease you get on your hands. It’s a thick sticky kind that soap just doesn’t dissolve, you need a hand cleaner ment for it. That’s what the oil on these plants is like - not thin like motor oil, rather sticky resistant to typical soap & solvents. But this stuff works for sure, it’s not “snake oil".

 

[Tigereye]

Yup I keep it handy all the time.👍

 

[Bamboozle]

It

While fishing yesterday I came across some thick jaggers blocking my way. It dawned on me that perhaps the scissors I carry in my vest would be able to cut through them. Not only did they, they did it with ease. Total game changing moment for me.

There are couple of places I fish where the Multiflora rose (the official flower of Berks County) it so thick, I need my wading staff to beat it back just to walk through to certain spots. I've also taken pruning shears with me on occasion.

There was also a particular large Multiflora bush on the Letort, known as the "Rosebush" by Ed Shenk and other locals. On the beginning of every Memorial Day weekend, my first job was to prune it back with a machete I brought for the purpose so I could walk behind it to conceal my movement from the fish when positioning myself to fish that section of the stream.

I was at that spot just last week and sadly stream reclamation/restoration work in that area has eliminated my old prickly friend of many years...

In regards to "poison..."

It won't do diddly for "jaggers," but I've been carrying soap (currently in the form of a small packet of "soap leaves") in my fishing shirt pocket/vest for decades.

Any time I think I've come in contact with poison ivy or stinging nettle, I'll wash off the affected area(s) with soap & stream or pond water. It has saved my a$$ from a bad outbreak a few times...

Speaking of saving my a$$, the soap leaves also come in handy after a good dump. 😉

 

[sandflyx]

Speaking of saving my a$$, the soap leaves also come in handy after a good dump.

bamboozle stop using your fingers for wiping

 

[Oregon_OwlII]

Poison hemlock is found in nearly every state in the US, with the exception of Alaska, Florida, Hawaii, and Mississippi, according to the USDA. It is commonly found in moist environments like roadsides, ditches, and edges of fields.

Common Habitats: Poison hemlock thrives in moist, disturbed areas like roadsides, ditches, field edges, and waste areas.....below 5000 feet, excluding desert regions, and prefers disturbed areas with some moisture and shade. It can be found in various locations, including fence lines, irrigation ditches, and other moist, waste places.

It's all over the place here in the Willamette Valley.