10 Deadliest Plants

When outside in your garden or the local park it is important to be aware of the potential harm plants can cause. Therefore, we are going to inform you about the 10 deadliest plants.

Also, to many people, coming across a deadly plant and ingesting it is something they believe won’t happen to them. However, the reality is that some of the best-looking plants that are the nation’s favourite also double up as the deadliest plants.

Therefore, it is important to be aware of which plants could come as a threat. Especially if you go near them with pets or children as there is a good chance they might consume them without knowing the potential side effects.

1.The poisonous yet life saving-plant

1. Foxglove

You can find Foxglove in woodlands and hedgerows. Also, they often occur in gardens as their tall stem and purple flowers make this plant popular.

Poisoning can occur from sucking the flowers or eating the plant’s stems or leaves. Eating any part of the plan can cause diarrhoea and vomiting. Alternatively, in some cases, they can even cause heart attacks. Furthermore, even a slight bit of contact with the plant could cause a rash.

However, Foxglove can also be used as medicine. Especially relevant for treating heart failure.

2. Colourful but deadly plant

2.Hydrangea

Hydrangeas can come in shades of pink, white, blue and autumn colours. Yet the mophead and lace-cap hydrangeas can even change colour when placed in different soils.

In addition, this popular flower contains a toxin called cyanide. Cyanide can cause dizziness, fainting, shortness of breath as well a drop in blood pressure.

Although to get any of the systems listed above, you, or your pet, would need to consume a large amount of the flower.

3.Festive but deadly plant

3. Poinsettia

Next on the list of the 10 deadliest plants is the Poinsettia. A popular plant at Christmas time due to the bright-red halo and festive green foilage. Yet if you ingest the milky sap featured in the veins of the plant, you may be in trouble.

Due to the sap being toxic this plant could cause vomiting and diarrhoea. Furthermore, there have also been a couple of reported deaths after consuming Poinsettia.

4. The Entirely Toxic Plant

4. Purple Nightshade

Firstly, with a name like purple nightshade, you are probably already cautious. You have a right to be.

First of all the entire purple nightshade plant is toxic. One small handful of berries eaten and you will quickly realise it was a mistake. You’ll experience loss of voice, respiratory complications, violent convulsions and intense digestive disruption.

In addition, there have been fatal cases known to appear thanks to this plant.

5. The innocent on the outside, deadly on the inside plant

5. Lily-Of-The-Valley

Lily-of-the-Valley looks very innocent. However, it is one of the deadliest plants. Although the white flowers on the plant smell sweet and are small in size just one bite and you may have headaches, hot flushes, hallucinations and irritability.

As well as this you will most likely experience red blotches of cold, clammy skin.

6. The deadly Mediterranean plant

6. Oleander

Although including Oleander in your garden can create the Mediterranean feel they are toxic and may cause harm.

For example, one leaf from the Oleander plant can cause drowsiness, slowed heart rate as well as the potential of uncontrollable shaking.

7. The deadly to pets plant

7. Water Hemlock

Also if you have pets, it is advised to remove water hemlock from your garden, or to stay away from the area where you found them. This is as although the toxin in the plant smells like carrots, they can be dangerous.

As a result of the toxins, your central nervous system will be at risk. Therefore this could cause seizure and convulsions which could worsen due to asphyxia and cardiovascular collapse.

8. The deadly Christmas plant

8. Mistletoe

Probably one of the most popular plants around at Christmas time, Mistletoe can actually be dangerous.

If you happen to consume a large dose of this plant you will experience digestive problems, slowed heartbeat and even hallucinogenic effects.

However, if you are looking to eat a couple of mistletoe leaves or berries, or perhaps even drinking mistletoe-flavoured tea, you are still susceptible to experiencing abdominal pain and perhaps even diarrhoea.

9. The deadliest plant that can burn your mouth

9. Larkspur

Furthermore, Larkspur is a plant you definitely wouldn’t want to ingest. Once consuming any part of the vibrant blue plant a variety of symptoms occur. For instance, nausea, burning in the mouth, vomiting and slowing of the heartbeat.

The good news is you can easily be treated by medical personnel if you accidentally ingest Larkspur. However, ideally, this wants to be done in 6 hours as this is how long it takes for the plant to become lethal.

10. The deadliest toxic plant

10. Wolfsbane

Wolfsbane is another term used for the plant Aconitum. Many refer to this deadly plant as aconite, monkshood, queen of poisons, blue rocket and more.

Probably the deadliest of the deadliest plants. Wolfsbane is one of the most toxic plants you can find in the UK.

The toxins that occur in Wolfsbane can, when ingested, cause an upset stomach which may even lead to a reduction in heart rate.

If you have open wounds, it is advised to stay away from this plant as the poison can easily penetrate the skin.

Conclusion

To conclude, just one of these plants could cause you to vomit, have diarrhoea and hallucinations. Therefore it is very important that we Brits educate ourselves on the types of potentially harmful and life threatening plants that can appear around or homes.