List of Poisonous Plants & Facts about Them

It is really true that nature has its own way of making this world odd yet has still managed to keep it interesting and beautiful. But behind the beauty which nature could bring is a deadly army of poisonous plants. As they always say, looks can be very deceiving. Just like the list of plants below, you would think that it is just one of the harmless plants we see around, but is actually the kind of plant that could kill a person anytime.

 

Rosary Pea

A deadly plant for a holy name, a very ironic name knowing it could cause death. The beans of this plant are very poisonous and are enough to kill a healthy adult man. It contains toxins called abrin which is known to be very toxic when ingested. Despite its toxicity, the beans of this plant are actually responsible for maracas’ rattling sound and are also used in making jewelry. These beans are also strung together to create rosary beads and naming the plant after it. A number of fatalities were reported also when some jewelry makers accidentally prick their fingers and getting it exposed to the substances excreted from these beans.  There was actually a time in the UK where numerous bracelets made out of these beans were recalled for some reason. However, when these beans are swallowed whole will not cause any harm since its body is protected with a tough coating which is so strong that it can repel our digestive system’s acids. Yet there were still reports even if a person survives from these horrible incidents would still suffer gastrointestinal upsets. Immediate medical care is still necessary once these beans are swallowed.

 

Aconite

Also known as, the monkshood or the devil’s helmet, or many would prefer to call it “the queen of poisons.” Aconite is a notorious type of plant to have caused a number of confirmed deaths. It is mostly found in Europe and Asia, which could grow up to six feet tall and blooms pretty purple flowers. The aconite is named after the deadly toxin it contains which is the aconitine. The plant is too poisonous that even touching it will already result in various symptoms, and once ingested could be very fatal. It quickly burns one’s mouth and causes abnormal drooling, vomiting, and diarrhea. But when left untreated may progress the toxin which results in numbness, tingling, abnormal heart rates, or worse death. In addition, the sap of this plant is actually placed on an arrow tip and is used to hunt whales. There were historians have also claimed that the toxin from these saps was extracted to a bullet tip during World War II.

 

Castor Bean

While there are numerous products out in the market which contains this plant, castor beans when ingested remains to be deadly. It contains ricin which is a very powerful toxin that is more poisonous than cyanide.  It is more poisonous than a venomous snake bite. This plant is found mostly in warmer areas across the globe. If castor beans are consumed, then expect some vomiting, abdominal cramps or worse could result in internal bleeding or kidney failure. Do not be too confident that you will not feel the symptoms right away because it may take a day before its poison kicks in. In addition, there was also an instance where the plant toxins were weaponized during the Cold War. It is also believed that this toxin had led the death of Georgi Markov when this poison was placed on an umbrella tip and was struck into him.

 

Hemlock

Hemlock was used in ancient Greece in executing prisoners and known to have included the famous philosopher, Socrates. This plant contains coniine, a toxin that is enough to kill an adult. It starts with some numbness which spreads inwards causing a person to paralyze or die. This plant has a resemblance to a vegetable which many have mistakenly included in their salads and meals. In addition, there were also cases of reported amnesia that had resulted even if the person survives from this gruesome death.

 

Lily of the Valley 

Commonly found in the Northern parts of Europe and America, mostly in woodland. You may think twice placing these flowers back to your glass vases or calling your online florists to arrange hand bouquets with this flower again, because behind its sweet appearance is a colony of 38 different cardiac glycosides.  It has a similar effect with foxgloves and when eaten is akin to taking an unregulated dose of cardio medicines.

 

Deadly Nightshade

Although its relatives are potatoes and tomatoes, eating deadly nightshade plants will still result in death. This plant has substances called glycoalkaloids, a type of poison which affects our nervous system when the toxin blocks some of our neurotransmitters. Its roots are the most poisonous one, but two to five of its berries are enough to kill a healthy adult. Once its poison kicks in, a person will start to experience blurred visions, dilated pupils, dry mouth, fast heartbeats, and hallucinations. Some cases have sent a person into a coma or to his grave. The effect is instant and may cost only a few hours to kill.

 

Suicide Tree

Just like how its name sounds, this plant is really creepy and is responsible for more than 50 deaths in the Indian state of Kerala alone. Murders were actually committed using this plant.  The infamous poisonous plant that cost 3,000 lives in the trials conducted in Madagascar in the 18^th century. You will not even taste the poison once it is mixed with one of your meals.

 

Manchineel Tree

These little apples of death are usually found in Florida’s coastal regions and possibly the most poisonous tree in the universe. Although its fruits are also lethal, its tree is far more poisonous than those fruits.  It has powerful toxins known as phorbol which results in allergic dermatitis and skin blistering. Its toxin is so powerful that it strips a parked car with its paint too, and try not to burn any part of this tree because cases were also reported that its smoke causes blindness.