Hemlock has a green base colour with a variety of green tonal streaks, and green and blue speckles. Conium maculatum, also known as hemlock, poison hemlock, warlock’s weed, or winter fern is a highly poisonous flowering plant in the carrot family. All parts of the plant are toxic, especially the seeds and roots, and especially when ingested. The hollow stems of the plant are deadly for up to three years after the plant has died. In ancient Greece, hemlock was used to poison condemned prisoners. Socrates, the most famous (and most annoying, by all accounts) victim, was accused of impiety and corrupting the minds of the young Athenian men in 399 BCE, and was sentenced to death at his trial. He decided to take a potent infusion of hemlock. Hemlock is one of the plants commonly used in witchcraft and magical potions, but surprisingly it does not get the attention that other herbs connected to witches and sorcery, such as the Nightshades. It is one of the most common plants associated with witches in Europe, particularly in Britain, one of the plant’s native homes. It is used in folk magic to ruin sexual urges, and used in spells of chastity. Conium comes from the Greek word koneios meaning, “spin” or “whirl,” likely from the vertigo caused when the plant is ingested. When taken in small amounts or rubbed on the skin it is said to give one the sensation of gliding through the air, which is why it may be is connected to witches’ flying ointments in medieval Europe.
