Some plants, no matter how inconspicuous, really have something to offer. We introduce you to the ten most dangerous plants in the world.
For gardeners, plants are some of the most beautiful things on this planet - but not all are as lovely as they look. In fact, there are those that can be absolutely dangerous to humans due to their toxic ingredients. Sometimes just a few seeds or even the mere touch of these plants is enough to trigger poisoning that is dangerous to he alth or even life-threatening.
The Most Dangerous Plants in the World
In the following we will tell you which plants are among the most dangerous in the world and what you have to watch out for when handling them.
10. Yew
Robust, easy to care for and absolutely opaque - yew trees (Taxus) have been among the most popular hedge plants for decades and have a permanent place in many gardens. The yew is also extremely popular as a topiary or ornamental plant because of its attractive needles and the attractive red colored berries. However, you should not eat the plant - almost all parts of the plant are highly toxic. The needles and seeds in particular, which are hidden in the red berries, contain the active ingredient taxine, which can lead to symptoms of poisoning even in small quantities. The first signs of yew poisoning are nausea, circulatory problems and headaches. From a dose of about 50 grams of yew needles, seizures can occur that can lead to death. Eating the plant can also cause permanent liver and kidney damage.
9. Diptam
With its pink flowers and herbaceous growth, the diptam (Dictamnus albus) is a real eye-catcher. But once the plant shows its true potential, many people cannot believe their eyes. In fact, in summer the plant often surrounds itself with small blue flames, which run up the flower panicle of the diptam and have also earned the plant the name "burning bush". The reason for this is the highly flammable liquid isoprene that is secreted by the plant. The plant takes damage from thisNot spectacular - but it can be dangerous for people: the plant secretes phototoxic substances that sensitize human skin to sunlight. Similar to the giant hogweed (Heracleum mantegazzianum), contact with the plant and subsequent exposure to the sun can cause severe burns, some of which require a very long healing process.
8. Paternoster Pea
With its bright red colored berries, the paternoster pea (Abrus precatorius) is a real eye-catcher. No wonder, then, that the strikingly colored seeds of the plant are traditionally used in jewelry in many areas. However, this is not entirely harmless - even swallowing a single pea can be fatal. The seeds contain the highly toxic abrin, which can lead to colic, tachycardia or organ failure. However, only the consumption of unripe fruit is dangerous. It is believed that the resilient shell of the pea does not release toxic abrin in the gastrointestinal tract unless chewed. Jewelery made from the peas is also harmless if you don't suck or chew on the chains.
7. Australian nettle
Anyone who has ever been stung by a nettle (Urtica) knows how painful it can be. An encounter with the Australian stinging nettle (Dendrocnide moroides) can end up being even worse. The severe itching and burning pain caused by the plant lasts for several days and, in some cases, for several months. The stinging hairs known from stinging nettles, which develop their effect when they come into contact with human skin, are to blame for these symptoms. In the case of the Australian stinging nettle, direct contact with the plant is not even necessary - since the stinging hairs continuously fall off the plant, symptoms can also only occur when staying close to the plant. Even clothing only helps to a limited extent against annoying hair, as it can puncture fiber-based textiles.
The deadly nightshade (Atropa belladonna) impressively proves how close healing and poison are to each other. As her Latin name "Belladonna" (beautiful lady) suggests,the plant was used in ancient times as a beauty product because of its pupil-enlarging effect and was also used as a medicinal plant in some cases. Even today, atropine, the active ingredient in deadly nightshade, is an important component of various medicines. However, if you eat the plant innocently, 10 to 12 berries can be deadly for an adult. The symptoms of poisoning range from dry mouth and visual disturbances to hallucinations, tachycardia or respiratory arrest.
5. Spotted Hemlock
Drinking from the hemlock cup - history buffs have probably heard this term before, after all the Greek philosopher Socrates is said to have died from the poisonous drink. On the other hand, few people know that the local spotted hemlock (Conium maculatum) is behind this idiom. The biennial, herbaceous plant contains the toxic active ingredient coniine and triggers a burning sensation in the throat and mouth, nausea and disorders of the nervous system, including respiratory paralysis. The risk of confusion with similar-looking but edible umbelliferous plants such as meadow chervil (Anthriscus sylvestris) is particularly dangerous. In Germany, however, the spotted hemlock can only rarely be found, as it has been systematically combated due to numerous deaths in livestock.
At 15 meters tall, with glossy foliage and sweetly scented flowers, the Cerberus tree (Cerbera odollam) is a real beauty. But appearances are deceptive - even if the tree, which is native to the coasts of the western Pacific, is often used as a street tree, it can be dangerous for people because its purple fruits are poisonous. The seeds of the tree in particular contain cardiac glycosides, which trigger nausea, gastrointestinal problems and salivation when consumed. Heart and breathing problems also occur, resulting in death (untreated) in about six hours. The Cerberus tree is notorious for being the most commonly used plant for suicide or murder, owing to the fact that its venom is fast-acting and difficult to detect. For this reason it is also often referred to as the suicide tree.
3. Miracle Tree
Castor oil is good for mostknown as a remedy - it is all the more shocking that the associated miracle tree (Ricinus communis), also known as "ricinus", is one of the most dangerous plants in the world. The seeds of the tree contain ricin, a toxin that causes red blood cells to clump together and inhibits the body's protein biosynthesis. Consuming as little as two to four seeds can be fatal to an adult human. The first signs of ricin poisoning are irritation of the mucous membranes, nausea and vomiting - an antidote is still not known.
Considered the most poisonous plant in Europe - Monkshood (Aconitum napellus) is a dangerous beauty. Traditionally, the flower is often kept as an ornamental plant in cottage gardens, where it attracts everyone's attention with its intense blue colour. However, the correct handling of the plant is essential so that there is no danger to its owner. Gloves should always be worn when handling monkshood, since skin contact can already cause slight symptoms of poisoning such as burning and paralysis. Swallowing parts of plants can lead to paralysis in the mouth, nausea, dizziness, cardiac arrhythmia or even respiratory paralysis, which can ultimately lead to death.
1. Manchineel Tree
There is probably no more insidious and dangerous plant than the manchinel tree (Hippomane mancinella). The plant, which in South America bears the appropriate name "Manzanilla de la muerte" (little apple of death), can become dangerous for humans in several ways. The numerous, apple-like fruits of the tree are particularly tempting - unfortunately these are absolutely poisonous and can have a fatal effect if eaten. Those who seek shelter under the manchinel tree when it rains can also endanger their he alth. When it rains, the tree secretes milky sap from its leaves, which drips down and causes severe burns and blisters on the skin. And even if the tree is burned, it poses a danger to humans, as it produces gases that can cause blindness. It is not for nothing that the tree is often marked in its homeland with a red "X" on the trunk or a warning sign.
A list of other poisonous ornamental plantscan also be found here.