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Crepuscular_Animal t1_jdg0u4m wrote

Reply to comment by Jacollinsver in TIL that the Hemlock Water Dropwort is the most poisonous plant in the UK. Its poison constricts the muscles, causing death by asphyxia, which also causes a rictus like death grin. Use of this plant in Phoenician Sardinia for executions is the origin of the term "Sardonic Grin". by AspireAgain

Not exactly the same plant. Socrates is believed to be poisoned with true hemlock Conium maculatum, not hemlock water-dropwort Oenanthe crocata, which is presumably named after the real deal. They are both in the same family that contains a lot of extremely poisonous species, and also edible ones like carrots and parsley.

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