Poisonous plants are present in most cultivated gardens. Even very common plants that grow from ornamental bulbs can be poisoned when eaten. Poisonous plants include poison oak, daffodils, and hogweed.
Touching the sap, stems, or leaves of some plants can cause a rash. Certain parts of many plants can cause severe gastrointestinal upset when eaten. Ingestion of some plants may cause heart or neurological problems.
This article describes 10 poisonous plants, their distinguishing features, and what to do if a person or pet comes into contact with them.
The stems, roots, vines, flowers, and leaves of poison ivy, oak, and sumac contain a substance called urushiol.
Exposure to urushiol can cause a rash on the body. The severity of the rash depends on how long the person has been exposed to it.
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), these plants grow in:
Hogweed stems are hollow and contain poisonous juice. This juice can cause blisters on the skin when exposed to the sun. It can also cause temporary or permanent blindness if the juice gets into your eyes.
Giant hogweed typically grows in North America and prefers cool, damp conditions, including:
The flowers are white, collected in inflorescences with a flat top at the top of the stem. The stems are thick, hairy, green with purple spots and a ring of white hairs at the base of the stem.
Eating any part of the daffodil, including the bulb, can cause vomiting, nausea, stomach pain, and diarrhea. Eating bulbs can also cause mouth irritation.
There are many different types of daffodils, but most of them have six petals surrounding a tubular structure.
Hemlock belongs to the carrot family. All parts of the plant are poisonous. It grows throughout most of North America.
Hemlock prefers shady areas with moist soil, but infestation can also occur along roadsides, pastures, swamps, and lowlands.
If ingested, the plant can slow the heart rate, damage the kidneys, and affect the nervous system, causing tremors and muscle damage.
Poison hemlock has lacy fern-like leaves, green ribbed stems with purple spots, and clusters of small white flowers that form umbels.
Castor seeds contain ricin, which is released when chewed. Ricin is a toxin that prevents the body’s cells from making potentially lethal proteins.
According to the University of Illinois College of Veterinary Medicine, castor beans can grow up to 15 feet. The large, star-shaped leaves have 5-11 serrated lobes and are bronze or red glossy when immature.
All parts of the tree, including the fruit, are highly poisonous. The juice can cause irritant contact dermatitis, causing burning, itching, swelling, and blisters.
Flowers spike-shaped, yellow-green. The fruit looks like a small red or green apple.
All parts of the oleander are poisonous. Oleandrin is a plant extract that can affect heart function and can be fatal if dosed incorrectly.
Oleander is originally a Mediterranean plant but can adapt to different types of soil. These plants are planted along roadsides and in gardens.
Oleander is invasive in Death Valley National Park in California and Lake Mead National Park in Nevada. It is also common in Hawaii.
Some people choose to use this drug because of its hallucinogenic properties. However, it can be fatal in high doses.
Jinsen grass grows up to 5 feet tall. The plant has a pale green stem and green or purple oval leaves with serrated edges.
People should contact their veterinarian as soon as possible if they suspect their pet has ingested a poisonous plant.
Signs that pets have ingested poisonous plants depend on the type of plant. For example, consuming daffodils can cause:
If someone comes into contact with toxic substances, take immediate action. First, reduce the harm by doing one of the following:
It is important to note that the most deadly plants are often rare, and life-threatening or serious consequences are rare.
Anyone who swallows a poisonous plant may not immediately realize what has happened. They should take photos of the plants and seek medical attention as soon as possible.
If a person develops a rash or itching after touching the plant, they should do the following:
Treatment usually includes treating symptoms and providing support. In some cases, a person needs an antidote.
If any substance remains in the mouth, ask the child to spit it out or remove it with their fingers. It should be kept as evidence that the child has swallowed something. It is also useful to photograph plants.
Poison.org recommends that you immediately call 911 or emergency services for advice. People should not try to make people vomit. They must photograph the plants, including leaves, fruits, and visible roots.
If there is a burning sensation in the mouth or throat, a small amount of milk or water can be given, provided that the patient is conscious, without convulsions and can swallow the drink.
Some plants can cause skin reactions if touched. If a person swallows a poisonous plant, they may experience an upset stomach. In rare cases, ingestion of poisonous plants can be fatal.
It can be helpful to learn about the poisonous plants a person may encounter in the area and how to identify them.
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Post time: Mar-13-2023