"Both grow waist-high in summer fields. One stops bleeding. The other killed Socrates."

1. 01Yarrow stems are RIDGED and slightly HAIRY. Hemlock stems are SMOOTH with PURPLE BLOTCHES.
2. 02Yarrow smells aromatic and herbal when crushed. Hemlock smells foul — like mouse urine.
3. 03Yarrow leaves are feathery and finely divided. Hemlock leaves are flatter, fern-like, glossy.
4. 04When in any doubt, do not touch. Hemlock alkaloids absorb through skin.

"Both carry creamy umbels in damp places. Water hemlock is the most violently toxic plant in North America."

1. 01Elder is a WOODY SHRUB or small tree. Water hemlock is a HOLLOW-STEMMED HERB with chambered roots.
2. 02Elder leaves: opposite pairs of 5–7 leaflets. Water hemlock: fern-like, finely divided.
3. 03Elder berries hang in dense flat clusters on green wood. Water hemlock never makes berries.
4. 04If you cut a stem and it smells like raw parsnip and looks chambered inside — back away.

"Before foxglove flowers, its first-year rosette is sometimes mistaken for plantain. Foxglove is heart-stopping in literal doses."

1. 01Plantain leaves have 5 PARALLEL VEINS that run unbroken tip to base. Foxglove has BRANCHING veins.
2. 02Plantain leaves are stiff, smooth, deep green. Foxglove leaves are SOFT, FUZZY, gray-green.
3. 03Plantain has no scent. Crushed foxglove has a slightly bitter, unpleasant smell.
4. 04If unsure: do not chew. Plantain only matters when you can identify it with zero doubt.