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The Official City Newsletter for Arden Hills Residents October 2017 <br />Poison hemlock makes its way into Minnesota <br />Poison hemlock is often found near rail- <br />ways, rivers, ditches, field edges, farms <br />and bike paths. It requires sun and is <br />unlikely to be found in shady areas. <br />The University website describes it this <br />way: “Leaves are triangular, dark green, <br />very lacy, and fern-like. Stems are hollow <br />between nodes, ridged, and hairless with <br />purple spots and blotches. Flowers are <br />white with five notched petals arranged in <br />In May of this year, Arden Hills Notes <br />published an article about buckthorn, <br />with information about what it is and <br />how and why to get rid of it. Now there is <br />another nuisance plant invading Minne- <br />sota that we need to be on the lookout for. <br />Poison hemlock is a highly toxic member <br />of the carrot family. According to a Uni- <br />versity of Minnesota website, all parts of <br />the plant are highly poisonous to humans <br />and animals. They should not be added to <br />compost piles. Protective clothing should <br />always be worn before working with or <br />exposure to this plant. <br />Poison hemlock, a plant native to Europe <br />and North Africa, has been spreading rap- <br />idly in southeastern Minnesota and may be <br />spreading to other areas. The Department <br />of Agriculture is asking residents to help <br />track it. If you think you spot the plant, <br />photograph it and email the picture to <br />(arrest.the.pest@state.mn.us) or contact the <br />local University Extension Office. <br />The City of Arden Hills was hon- <br />ored for financial performance at <br />the Local Leaders in Government <br />Luncheon put on by the Saint Paul Area <br />Chamber of Commerce on September <br />13. The award was in recognition of the <br />City’s excellence in financial accounting; <br />promoting transparency throughout the or- <br />ganization; and providing the best quality <br />customer service to its residents, Council- <br />members, and other organizations. This is <br />reflected in the fact that the City of Arden <br />Hills has consecutively won three annual <br />awards (for budgeting, financial reporting, <br />and transparency) over many years from <br />the Government Finance Officers Associa- <br />tion (GFOA). <br />City Finance and Administrative Services Departments honored <br />an umbel (umbrella shape) approximately <br />2 to 3 inches across.” <br />Complicating identification is the fact that <br />there are several native look-alikes which <br />are harmless or even beneficial. For <br />pictures and more detailed descriptions, <br />go to the website http://www.myminneso- <br />tawoods.umn.edu/poisonhemlock/. <br />Pictured here are (left to right) Senior Planner Matthew Bachler, Mayor Dave Grant, <br />and Interim Director of Finance and Administrative Services Dave Perrault accepting the <br />City’s award.