Hemlock facts for kids

The word hemlock can mean a few different things! It might refer to certain kinds of plants, some of which are very poisonous. It can also be the name of towns, lakes, or even other things like computer programs or music groups.

Plants Called Hemlock

When people talk about "hemlock" plants, they usually mean one of two main types.

Poisonous Hemlock Plants

Some plants called hemlock are very dangerous if eaten. They belong to a plant family called Apiaceae. These plants have hollow stems and small white flowers that grow in umbrella-like clusters.

• Poison Hemlock (scientific name: Conium maculatum) is a well-known poisonous plant. It looks a bit like wild carrot or parsley, but it's deadly if eaten.
• Water Hemlock (from the genus Cicuta) is another type of very poisonous plant. It often grows in wet areas like swamps or ditches.
• Oenanthe crocata, also known as water dropwort, is another plant in this family that can be poisonous.

Hemlock Trees

There are also trees called hemlock! These are a type of evergreen tree from the genus Tsuga. They are coniferous trees, meaning they have needles and cones, like pine trees. Even though they share the name "hemlock," these trees are not related to the poisonous hemlock plants. They are safe and are often used for lumber.

Places Named Hemlock

Many towns and natural places around the world are named Hemlock.

Communities in the United States

• Hemlock, Indiana
• Hemlock, Michigan
• Hemlock, Ohio
• Hemlock, Fayette County, West Virginia
• Hemlock, Jackson County, West Virginia
• Hemlock, Wisconsin
• Hemlock Township, Columbia County, Pennsylvania

Communities in Canada

• Hemlock, in Norfolk County, Ontario

Bodies of Water

• Hemlock Creek, a stream in Pennsylvania
• Hemlock Falls, a waterfall in Georgia
• Hemlock Lake, one of the famous Finger Lakes in New York
• Hemlock Lake, located in Marcellus, Michigan
• Hemlock Brook, a small stream in Massachusetts

Other Uses of the Word Hemlock

The word "hemlock" is also used in other interesting ways!

• Hemlock (editor) is a special kind of computer program. It's a version of a text editor called Emacs, used on Unix computer systems.
• Hemlock (band) is the name of a heavy metal music group from Las Vegas, Nevada.
• Hemlock Semiconductor Corporation is a company in the United States that makes a material called polysilicon. This material is super important for making computer chips and solar panels!
• Babe and Carla Hemlock are two talented visual artists from the Mohawk people.
• Sherlock Hemlock is a fun character from the TV show Sesame Street. He's a Muppet detective who loves to solve mysteries!
• Hemlock Recordings is an electronic music record label based in London. It is run by a musician known as Untold (musician).
• Hemlock Grove is the name of a television show.