Dallas park officials warn visitors to avoid water hemlock along the shoreline at White Rock Lake due to its severe toxicity.
DALLAS — If you’re planning to visit White Rock Lake, Dallas park officials are asking you to stay away from this dangerous plant.
It’s called water hemlock — and every part of the plant is poisonous, which can cause serious health risks to people and pets.
Dallas Park and Recreation said the plant started flourishing near the shoreline, so crews are spraying targeted chemical treatments in select shoreline areas. Once the water hemlock begins to wilt, its toxicity drops quickly.
“Treatments are expected to take no more than two days, and the department will continue to monitor the treated areas for several weeks,” park officials said in a statement.
The plant is toxic to the touch and can cause your skin to blister. Ingesting it is even more dangerous. The alkaloids affect the central nervous system and can quickly cause respiratory failure and have the potential to be deadly, according to the CDC.
“Visitors should not touch or remove any plants near the shoreline and should keep pets leashed and away from shoreline vegetation,” park officials said.
Water hemlock thrives in wet environments such as lake edges, creeks and marshy ground. You can spot water hemlock by its clusters of flowers that form in an umbrella shape. Its stems are thick, hollow and display purple blotches.