Conium maculatum L.

Erect annual or biennial, with foetid odour when crushed. Stems hollow, striate, up to 2–(3) m high, usually light green and purple spotted or blotched, sometimes tinged purplish or pink, particularly toward base. Lvs 2–4-pinnate; ultimate segments narrowly or broadly ovate to deltoid, pinnatisect or serrate, 5–40 mm long; petioles light green and purple blotched when mature; stem lvs similar to basal, but shortly petiolate and 1–3-pinnate. Umbels 1–8 cm diam.; rays 4–16; bracts c. 4–8, narrow-triangular, acuminate, reflexed; bracteoles 3–6, triangular, confined to outer side of umbellets. Fls numerous, white, c. 2 mm diam. Fr. dark brown, 2.5–3 mm long; ribs slender, light brown, often crenulate.

[From: Webb et al. (1988) Flora of New Zealand. Volume 4.]

Flowering: Sep.–Jan.