10 dangerous plants to stay away from

2024 Author: Malcolm Clapton | [email protected]. Last modified: 2023-12-17 03:44

Burns, itching, allergies - this is not a complete list of troubles that await you in case of accidental contact.

These dangerous plants are less known than nettles, although many of them burn much harder. At the same time, they can be found in your favorite park, along the sidewalk on which you walk to work, on the green lawn where you decided to have a picnic.

1. Sosnovsky's hogweed

wikipedia.org

wikipedia.org

This giant "dill" with large white inflorescences on thick stems can reach three meters in height. If you see this, don't get close.

The hogweed juice contains furanocoumarins, which deprive the skin of UV protection. Therefore, burns and large blisters appear on the affected areas, even under the gentle morning or evening sun. And if the juice gets on the mucous eyes, you can go blind.

In fairness, we will say that there are also non-dangerous species of hogweed. Some of them are even eaten. For example, for cooking borscht, hence the name.

But if you are not a botanist and are not sure that the specific umbrellas and the stems with leaves located under them are harmless, it is better not to risk it.

2. Meadow parsnip

This is also an umbrella plant. True, it is smaller and with dull yellow inflorescences. Parsnip juice and pollen contain Parsnip psoralens - substances that, like the furanocoumarins in hogweed, increase the sensitivity of the skin to sunlight. The result is burns (stripes, spots, rash, blisters) that appear on the affected area within 24 hours after contact. The most dangerous parsnip is considered during the flowering period, that is, in July - August.

3. Buttercup

loyno.edu

The name sounds gentle, even touching, but this plant is only externally a flower (yes, yellow, beautiful). Berries start after contact.

BUTTERCUP's poisonous buttercup juice causes severe skin irritation - with itching and blisters. Once in the mouth and nose, the pollen of the flower provokes coughing and spasms of the larynx.

So collecting buttercup bouquets and smelling them is absolutely not worth it.

4. Larkspur (delphinium)

wikipedia.org

This plant is also from the insidious buttercup family, although it seems that its tall, covered with small blue and purple flowers, the stems of a buttercup do not resemble anything.

On contact with the skin, larkspur sap and pollen can cause irritation, similar to that caused by contact with stinging nettles.

Sometimes delphinium flowers are bred as decorative ones. In this case, you can work with them only with gloves, and also drive children and pets away from the flowers.

5. Lumbago (sleep-grass)

Another relative of the seemingly harmless, but predatory buttercup. Its juice contains poisonous alkaloids that cause inflammation of the skin and mucous membranes. Therefore, it is advisable to tear such flowers with gloves.

6. Poisonous oak

This beautiful shrub with almost glossy leaves saturated with sap belongs to the genus toxicodendrons - "toxic trees", if this name is literally translated from Latin.

Its leaves and stems contain urushiol oil Allergies to Poison Ivy, Oak, and Sumac. It irritates the skin and can cause severe allergies - an itchy red rash with bumps and blisters.

According to experts from the American Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), severe reactions even require POISONOUS PLANTS urgent medical attention.

7. Poison ivy

The closest relative of the poison oak, and its habits are the same. It is easy to distinguish it from other ivies: each branch of the poisonous ivy ends in three glossy leaves. Depending on the season, the leaves can be both green and beautiful yellow, orange and even red.

8. Ash (burning bush)

deskgram.org

The ash tree forms a slender bush with many beautiful inflorescences and is often used as a decoration for gardens. But this showy plant is dangerous. When its seeds ripen, a huge amount of essential oil is released. If you bring a match to the plant, a flame will flare up over it. In this case, the ash tree itself will not suffer. This curious feature was the reason for the appearance of the second name - the burning bush.

Do not touch the ash tree without gloves and closed clothing BURNING BUSH. You will not feel anything right away, but after about a day, burns with blisters may appear on the affected area of the skin. Later, the bubbles will burst, leaving scars in their place.

9. Euphorbia

All sorts of species of this huge genus of plants are sometimes very different from each other: some look like wildflowers, others like cacti … One thing unites all representatives: the caustic milky juice, which gave the genus its name.

This juice is toxic Keratouveitis caused by Euphorbia plant sap. It leaves burns on the skin, and once on the mucous membrane of the eye, it causes a sharp burning sensation and temporary blindness. Later, symptoms such as fever, malaise and swelling may appear.

10. Castor oil plant

This plant is a source of castor oil. But during the preparation of the oil, the castor bean fruits undergo a powerful steam treatment, which destroys the toxins contained in them. But if the toxins are not removed, problems can arise.

You can touch the castor oil plant. But you shouldn't pluck it: if you accidentally damage the skin of the fruit, you may get a dose of ricin. If ingested (for example, from poorly washed hands), this substance can cause A Case of Castor Bean Poisoning to develop, including fatal gastroenteritis. Additional side effects are neurological disorders and lesions of the mucous membranes of the eyes.

How to make sure you have a poisonous plant in front of you

Distinguishing a dangerous plant from a safe one is quite difficult. Often only a professional botanist can handle this task. Therefore, there is only one advice: if in doubt, it is better not to approach.

Literary scholars can use the PlantNet application. Just take a picture of the plant, indicate your location (to speed up the search) - and get the most likely name for your flower.

What to do if touched a poisonous plant

1. Rinse your skin with running water as soon as possible, or at least wipe it off with a damp cloth.
2. Apply an antihistamine cream to the affected area to reduce irritation symptoms.
3. Take an antihistamine. Anyone will do, just follow the instructions carefully.
4. When it comes to contact with plants that make your skin more sensitive to sunlight, try to hide from the sun for the next few days: spend more time indoors and wear long sleeves.