Toxic "dead man’s fingers" plant washed ashore in Scotland due to storms; authorities warn against touching it.

Toxic hemlock water dropwort, known as "dead man’s fingers," has washed up on beaches in Argyll and Bute and Cumbria, Scotland, likely due to stormy weather. The plant’s parsnip-like roots are highly poisonous, containing a toxin that can cause fatal neurological effects in humans and animals even in small amounts. Authorities, including Police Scotland and the Millom Coastguard Rescue Team, warn the public not to touch it, keep children and pets away, and report sightings to local councils for safe removal. No injuries have been reported, but the risk remains high.