White baneberry (Doll's eyes): all parts poisonous
Toxic plants. They're out there. Some are probably in your garden right now looking so innocent and getting smug about it. Time to panic? Maybe. But probably not. Because while being cautious makes sense, we've also come to realize just how many common plants are considered poisonous. And just like there are degrees in the level of badness in desserts, there are degrees in the level of toxicity in plants. Compare angel food cake or jello with peanut butter pie topped with Cool Whip and Peanut Butter Cups. Big. Whopping. Difference. Not only in total calories but in nutrition. So asking yourself the same types of questions...how bad is truly bad?... makes sense. Let's cut to the chase. While there's lots of plants that many would shake their green thumbs at, these are the plants we would not allow in our homes even for a whole peanut butter pie (with hot fudge on top please).
White baneberry
All parts of the white baneberry (shown above) are poisonous. Eating just 5 or 6 berries can make you seriously sick. Eating more could cause death. It's mostly children who are tempted into eating these strange looking berries, adults realize just how creepy they look. And apparently, they don't taste very good. Avoid all parts of this plant not just the toxic berries as even the tiniest bit can cause blisters on the skin where touched.
These berries contain cardiogenic toxins that serve as a sedative on cardiac muscle tissue. Immediate symptoms include burning of the mouth and throat, salivation, severe stomach cramps, headache, diarrhea, dizziness and hallucinations. Hmmmm. I'll pass.
Interestingly enough, they got their alternative name, Doll's Eyes from once being sewn into rag dolls for children as....you guessed it...doll's eyes. Weird. Actually, the berries look a lot like Hatchimal eyes to me. And if you don't know what a Hatchimal is then consider yourself quite lucky.
These berries contain cardiogenic toxins that serve as a sedative on cardiac muscle tissue. Immediate symptoms include burning of the mouth and throat, salivation, severe stomach cramps, headache, diarrhea, dizziness and hallucinations. Hmmmm. I'll pass.
Interestingly enough, they got their alternative name, Doll's Eyes from once being sewn into rag dolls for children as....you guessed it...doll's eyes. Weird. Actually, the berries look a lot like Hatchimal eyes to me. And if you don't know what a Hatchimal is then consider yourself quite lucky.
Yews
Yews (Taxus): Landscape shrub
The berries from the yew tree are harmless, but the seed within is highly toxic. Unbroken, the seed will pass through the body without being digested. But if the seed is chewed poisoning can occur with as few as three berries. Maybe that's why Agatha Christie used the yew as inspiration for some of her murder mysteries?
And that's because the murderers always had such easy access to the poison taxin through this classic evergreen that is a staple around many homes in England. It is the go-to hedge for looks and luxury, not to mention death. Quick recap: Flesh of the berries, okay. Seeds and leaves, highly toxic. Even still, it's not like I'd be throwing the flesh of these berries in my smoothie any time soon.
Interesting fact. Sometimes, there's no symptoms at all. Other times (such as in my murder mystery novel) the victims heart rate starts accelerating, then they experience muscle spams and labored breathing as they dramatically stagger and finally collapse to the floor.
And the yew is poisonous to almost all including humans, dogs, cats, horses, cattle and pigs.
Yew is also one of those rare plants where the poison is not destroyed when the plant dies. So when you move those branches via pruning or they move themselves via high winds, bad things are sure to follow.
And that's because the murderers always had such easy access to the poison taxin through this classic evergreen that is a staple around many homes in England. It is the go-to hedge for looks and luxury, not to mention death. Quick recap: Flesh of the berries, okay. Seeds and leaves, highly toxic. Even still, it's not like I'd be throwing the flesh of these berries in my smoothie any time soon.
Interesting fact. Sometimes, there's no symptoms at all. Other times (such as in my murder mystery novel) the victims heart rate starts accelerating, then they experience muscle spams and labored breathing as they dramatically stagger and finally collapse to the floor.
And the yew is poisonous to almost all including humans, dogs, cats, horses, cattle and pigs.
Yew is also one of those rare plants where the poison is not destroyed when the plant dies. So when you move those branches via pruning or they move themselves via high winds, bad things are sure to follow.
Rhododendrons
rhododendrons
Do you want the good news or bad news first?
Okay, then, the good news. There are few, if any known incidents of fatal poisoning in humans in recent times involving a rhododendron plant. Even though this plant is poisonous to many animals as well, cases are rare because animals tend not be graze where rhododendrons are grown. Sadly, they get poisoned when unthinking humans feed, for example, zoo animals the plant growing on the zoo grounds. Not smart on the humans part but maybe the zoo shouldn't have chosen different decorative plants.
The bad news?! All parts of the plant including the leaves, flowers and the nectar contain toxins with the nectar usually believed to have the highest concentration. Humans poison themselves when when they eat honey made with rhododendron nectar. Why anyone would do this is beyond me.
But those who do poison themselves in this way typically see their gastrointestinal and cardiac problems disappear after about 24 hours. It obviously depends on the amount of nectar consumed. Those unpleasant symptoms include low blood pressure, lowered heart rate and shock, nausea, increased salivation and vomiting, accompanied by dizziness, loss of balance and difficultly breathing. Sounds a lot like a pharmaceutical ad to me.
Short recap. Lavender tea with honey. Yes. Rhododendron tea with honey. No. Never. Still the plant is stunningly gorgeous, just don't ingest.
Okay, then, the good news. There are few, if any known incidents of fatal poisoning in humans in recent times involving a rhododendron plant. Even though this plant is poisonous to many animals as well, cases are rare because animals tend not be graze where rhododendrons are grown. Sadly, they get poisoned when unthinking humans feed, for example, zoo animals the plant growing on the zoo grounds. Not smart on the humans part but maybe the zoo shouldn't have chosen different decorative plants.
The bad news?! All parts of the plant including the leaves, flowers and the nectar contain toxins with the nectar usually believed to have the highest concentration. Humans poison themselves when when they eat honey made with rhododendron nectar. Why anyone would do this is beyond me.
But those who do poison themselves in this way typically see their gastrointestinal and cardiac problems disappear after about 24 hours. It obviously depends on the amount of nectar consumed. Those unpleasant symptoms include low blood pressure, lowered heart rate and shock, nausea, increased salivation and vomiting, accompanied by dizziness, loss of balance and difficultly breathing. Sounds a lot like a pharmaceutical ad to me.
Short recap. Lavender tea with honey. Yes. Rhododendron tea with honey. No. Never. Still the plant is stunningly gorgeous, just don't ingest.
Castor bean
Castor bean: Ornamental annual
So the castor bean is an ornamental annual. The caster bean plant itself is not poisonous to humans, but the seeds are. The seeds contain ricin which is potentially lethal. Ricin is one of the most deadly naturally occurring chemicals. In fact, it's more deadly than most man-made chemicals. It's my favorite poison used in my favorite Agatha Christie murder novel. And you probably remember that ricin was found in letters sent to some Congress members and to the White House a few years back, and in the hands of bad people linked to terrorist groups.
Anyhow, ricin is very poisonous to humans, animals and even insects. Rumor is that as few as 5 beans is enough to kill an adult human, but I have not tested this myself and don't plan too.
Castor oil is produced by pressing ripe seeds that have had their outer covering, also known as a hull removed. It's this hull that contains the deadly ricin. Castor oil has been used as a medicine for centuries, this brings to mind the Mary Poppins song where the little boy sings about not wanting castor oil or gruel from his prospective nanny. I'm with him! There are much better laxatives and wart removers out there, I'm sure of it.
Anyhow, ricin is very poisonous to humans, animals and even insects. Rumor is that as few as 5 beans is enough to kill an adult human, but I have not tested this myself and don't plan too.
Castor oil is produced by pressing ripe seeds that have had their outer covering, also known as a hull removed. It's this hull that contains the deadly ricin. Castor oil has been used as a medicine for centuries, this brings to mind the Mary Poppins song where the little boy sings about not wanting castor oil or gruel from his prospective nanny. I'm with him! There are much better laxatives and wart removers out there, I'm sure of it.
Monkshood
Monkshood, wolfsbane (aconite)
Monkshood is so bad that it can poison even through a cut in the skin when handled. This attractive and visually appealing perennial is tempting to flower lovers, especially florists who have reported being sick after using it in flower arrangements. It's the alkaloids, better known as the aconite bit that are thought to be the key toxin in this plant. And all parts are poisonous especially the roots, seeds and new leaves.
And yes, if you ingest this plant, even just a smidgen will cause severe and unpleasant gastrointestinal upset, but it's the heart that takes the greatest toll. It will quickly slow the heart rate and this is the main cause of death. Early symptoms include restlessness and excessive drooling followed by muscle weakness, falling blood pressure and difficulty breathing
Fortunately, its bitter taste is awful and is quickly followed by a burning sensation, numbing of the mouth and all those other icky side effects. BIooms may be gorgeous but it's unwelcome in my yard as I have small children and pets. Let's just avoid this one....okay? It's like I tell my 5-year-old every day, "look but don't touch mommy's glass trinkets from Holland."
Fun factoid? Monkshood was once used by ancient warriors to poison the water of their enemies!
And yes, if you ingest this plant, even just a smidgen will cause severe and unpleasant gastrointestinal upset, but it's the heart that takes the greatest toll. It will quickly slow the heart rate and this is the main cause of death. Early symptoms include restlessness and excessive drooling followed by muscle weakness, falling blood pressure and difficulty breathing
Fortunately, its bitter taste is awful and is quickly followed by a burning sensation, numbing of the mouth and all those other icky side effects. BIooms may be gorgeous but it's unwelcome in my yard as I have small children and pets. Let's just avoid this one....okay? It's like I tell my 5-year-old every day, "look but don't touch mommy's glass trinkets from Holland."
Fun factoid? Monkshood was once used by ancient warriors to poison the water of their enemies!
Bittersweet nightshade
Bittersweet nightshade: Toxic weed with multi-colored berries.
To save money, my family has found a few spots that grow blackberries in the wild. We pick as much as we can and usually have a few pints to freeze that don't get gobbled down in the field. Unfortunately, growing side-by-side with the blackberries are tons of bittersweet nightshade plants, a toxic weed with multi-colored berries.
They begin as a green berry, then they change to yellow, orange and finally red when mature. The plant is even more striking when you see one in multiple stages sporting colors in each of these hues at the same time. They certainly look delectable, especially growing alongside blackberries, but they're not. So if you have bittersweet nightshade growing in your yard, you'll want to remove it using gloves as the foliage is toxic not to mention prickly.
I've witnessed lots of birds nibbling on these berries and you probably have as well if you like to hike. Because the seeds are able to pass through the digestive tracts of many animals including those birds and remain viable, they are spread like wildfire to new locations, enabling this plant (weed) to spread.
They begin as a green berry, then they change to yellow, orange and finally red when mature. The plant is even more striking when you see one in multiple stages sporting colors in each of these hues at the same time. They certainly look delectable, especially growing alongside blackberries, but they're not. So if you have bittersweet nightshade growing in your yard, you'll want to remove it using gloves as the foliage is toxic not to mention prickly.
I've witnessed lots of birds nibbling on these berries and you probably have as well if you like to hike. Because the seeds are able to pass through the digestive tracts of many animals including those birds and remain viable, they are spread like wildfire to new locations, enabling this plant (weed) to spread.
Angel's trumpet
Angel's trumpet (Brugmansia): Hallucinogenic, toxic, may cause dermatitis.
Want to hear something really weird? I went to Disney World in Orlando in February and saw this plant growing not too far from a new playground In Epcot. Sure, it was being held back with a fence but I still thought it odd considering how deadly it is. If I wanted too, I could still have reached in and plucked it.
Because there's no gray area with the lovely Angel's Trumpet plant with flowers that hang like bells. It's all bad, every last bit of this woody-stemmed bush including the flowers, leaves, seeds and roots are poisonous to both humans and animals.
This plant contains toxic alkaloids that cause poisoning when ingested or absorbed through mucus membranes. So don't eat it or let it come anywhere near your skin! Side effects include agitation, twitching movement, muscle weakness, drowsiness, dilated pupils, dry mouth, rapid pulse, fever, hallucinations & euphoria and elevated temperature. Don't rule out coma or death either when up against the evil Angel's Trumpet.
Besides, this high-maintenance plant likes routine pruning, feeding and watering. You'd have to wear protective clothing, gloves and probably goggles to consider working with it. Even the pruning sheers you've used on this plant would then have to be thoroughly washed when finished. Left unwashed, the pruners could actually contaminate your other flowers or worse, your vegetable plants. It's possible for even gloved hands to get contaminated and for you to be unaware of this. When the gloves come off, just the act of rubbing your eyes or touching your face might send you to the emergency room when the rapid onset of symptoms appear.
It's even possible for the Angel's Trumpet to harm through cross-contamination with your edible crops so it can't be anywhere near your vegetable bed or herb garden.
Because there's no gray area with the lovely Angel's Trumpet plant with flowers that hang like bells. It's all bad, every last bit of this woody-stemmed bush including the flowers, leaves, seeds and roots are poisonous to both humans and animals.
This plant contains toxic alkaloids that cause poisoning when ingested or absorbed through mucus membranes. So don't eat it or let it come anywhere near your skin! Side effects include agitation, twitching movement, muscle weakness, drowsiness, dilated pupils, dry mouth, rapid pulse, fever, hallucinations & euphoria and elevated temperature. Don't rule out coma or death either when up against the evil Angel's Trumpet.
Besides, this high-maintenance plant likes routine pruning, feeding and watering. You'd have to wear protective clothing, gloves and probably goggles to consider working with it. Even the pruning sheers you've used on this plant would then have to be thoroughly washed when finished. Left unwashed, the pruners could actually contaminate your other flowers or worse, your vegetable plants. It's possible for even gloved hands to get contaminated and for you to be unaware of this. When the gloves come off, just the act of rubbing your eyes or touching your face might send you to the emergency room when the rapid onset of symptoms appear.
It's even possible for the Angel's Trumpet to harm through cross-contamination with your edible crops so it can't be anywhere near your vegetable bed or herb garden.
Delphiniums
delphiniums
I've never been able to successfully grow any delphiniums in my yard. Maybe it's for the best as all parts of this popular ornamental plant are poisonous. Like its dangerous cousin monkshood (featured above in this post), the super tall spikes of delphinium (larkspur) is admired and envied in the yard and garden for its showy power blue (pink and white too.) Except by those who have been poisoned by it.
I had no idea that just touching these tempting buds can irritate the skin. Children in particular are drawn to their vibrant beauty and almost can't help picking them, but contact with the skin is dangerous. Is this why children's authors use the lovely larkspur on note cards for kids and in children's gardening books? Not a good idea!
Rumor has it that it has a bitter and acrid taste, but if you push past that issue and continue to munch, you could actually die from its potent alkaloids. Initially, you'll feel disoriented with muscle tremors, stiffness, weakness and finally keel over from respiratory paralysis. And don't rule out paralysis or even death as both are possible.
I found it fascinating that larkspur has been used in the past in some herbal medicines such as anti-parasitics (they go after lice), a cure for asthma and maybe even as a preventative for eye disease.
I had no idea that just touching these tempting buds can irritate the skin. Children in particular are drawn to their vibrant beauty and almost can't help picking them, but contact with the skin is dangerous. Is this why children's authors use the lovely larkspur on note cards for kids and in children's gardening books? Not a good idea!
Rumor has it that it has a bitter and acrid taste, but if you push past that issue and continue to munch, you could actually die from its potent alkaloids. Initially, you'll feel disoriented with muscle tremors, stiffness, weakness and finally keel over from respiratory paralysis. And don't rule out paralysis or even death as both are possible.
I found it fascinating that larkspur has been used in the past in some herbal medicines such as anti-parasitics (they go after lice), a cure for asthma and maybe even as a preventative for eye disease.
White snakeroot
White snakeroot (Eupatorium rugosum)
Did you know? Abraham Lincoln's mother, Nancy Hanks was reportedly killed by snakeroot. Yup. It's true. She died after drinking snakeroot-contaminated raw milk. The cows that produced the milk she drank unfortunately ate some snakeroot prior to their milking. Take-home message? That the toxin tremetol found in snakeroot is just as toxic if consumed directly or second-hand, hence the milk problem. And there's a meat problem too. Eat meat from cows that have consumed snakeroot and you're going down in a bad way.
Guess what's even more odd? It's possible still today to get sick off milk contaminated by snakeroot if the cows made that same mistake. Of course, you might get sick and have no idea it was some milk you drank that put you over, let alone milk contaminated by snakeroot. Crazy!
And not to be captain obvious, but obviously eating the plant straight-up can easily lead to death. The symptoms are too numerous to even list, just avoid!
Guess what's even more odd? It's possible still today to get sick off milk contaminated by snakeroot if the cows made that same mistake. Of course, you might get sick and have no idea it was some milk you drank that put you over, let alone milk contaminated by snakeroot. Crazy!
And not to be captain obvious, but obviously eating the plant straight-up can easily lead to death. The symptoms are too numerous to even list, just avoid!
Foxglove
Foxgloves
Confession, foxglove is fascinating. Confession, foxglove is to be feared. This is because if you chomp on foxglove you'll experience nausea followed by vomiting, convulsions, cardiac arrest and eventually death. That's a done deal for me. Everything from the seeds to stems to flowers are poisonous. They contain digitalis....another Agatha Christie famous making poison. Her murderers are always getting their hands on it!
Why'd you consider sucking on the flower is beyond me, but if you do other symptoms include digestive issues, headache, blurred vision and overall confusion. Besides, there are plenty of other edible flowers to choose from, why go with one that will kill you?
Why'd you consider sucking on the flower is beyond me, but if you do other symptoms include digestive issues, headache, blurred vision and overall confusion. Besides, there are plenty of other edible flowers to choose from, why go with one that will kill you?
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