Picking weeds from her yard nearly cost a Lancaster, North Texas woman her life, and after the incident she is now seeking to warn the community about a poisonous plant.
“After a normal day of yard work…shortly after weeding my arms felt like they were on fire. So I took a shower to wash off what I thought were splinters. Less than an hour later “My tongue started to swell up, my skin was burning, my speech was slurred, I was dizzy, confused and very shaky. It started to feel like my chest was tightening,” said Kenzie Kizer.
Kizer told Telemundo 60 that after his experience, he wants to tell everyone about the dangers of this plant. “I went to the emergency room where it was confirmed that she had been poisoned by Poisonous Hemlock,” she said.
According to Texas A&M Agrilife Extension, all parts of the Poison Hemlock are extremely poisonous. Ingesting even small amounts can be fatal to mammals.
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“Poison hemlock is an introduced European species brought to the United States as an ornamental plant for its attractive white flowers. It has become very common on the Edwards Plateau along creeks and lowlands,” says Texas A&M.
These plants can be found in roadside ditches and in streams in the southern half of Texas. It grows in moist soils preferring full sun to light shade.
According to Texas A&M, the stems and leaves are the most toxic parts of the plant. It is even so dangerous for humans that it was used in political executions in ancient Greece.
It is also dangerous for pets, animals can die of respiratory paralysis in two to three hours. Poisoning can also result from inhalation of its vapors or contact with the skin.
Texas A&M recommends against mowing in areas that contain this plant. Control of the plant with herbicides and wearing gloves at all times is suggested.
“Showering saved my life and turned what could have been a tragic situation into a less serious reaction. If you see this in your yard, don’t touch it,” Kizer said.
Fortunately for Kizer, by showering he was able to remove part of the toxins from the plant and when he went to the hospital he received immediate attention to avoid complications.
