Throughout time, plants have provided us with many things:
Food, shelter, warmth, fuel, medicine, clothes, textile, entertainment and a
love of nature. With many of the species of plants around today, toxicity is an
important aspect that must be addressed – especially when the toxicity involves
a plant you are already quite familiar with. I am proud to present to you a
list addressing some common plants that also have a hint or two of toxicity. A
list of the 10 Common Plants You Didn’t Know Were Toxic.
Toxic Principle: Diterpene esters in latex
To start off, we have perhaps one of the most well-known
ornamental plants, the poinsettia. Euphorbia pulcherrima is a plant native to
the tropical, deciduous forests of Mexico, but has long been used as a
symbol of Christmas. As you might have guessed, this is due to its distinctive
red and green leaf combinations, although poinsettias can be cultivated to have
a wide range of colors, from blue to pink. It is a wide misconception that poinsettias are incredibly
poisonous. This is not true. This, presumably, comes from the fact that most
other plants in the Euphorbia genus are highly toxic. While ingestion can cause
vomiting and diarrhea, exposure can cause temporary skin eczema AND contact
with the eyes can cause temporary blindness, this is not always the case.
POISINDEX, a major resource for poison control centers, says that it would take
500 brachts of the plant to cause poison to a 50 pound (22.68kg) child. Thus,
our first entry on the list.
9 English Ivy, Hedera helix
Toxic Principles: Triterpenoid saponins and polyacetylene
compounds
English Ivy is an extremely common plant, and is labeled as
an invasive species in the United
States. Its sale and distribution is even
prohibited in the state of Oregon.
This is due to its ability to create “ivy deserts” across landscapes. Hedera
helix is even known to climb to the top of trees, causing them to topple.
Though hard to control, it is often used by gardeners as an edge plant, or in
the home as an intriguing house plant. Young children are often victim to this plant’s poison, most
likely due to its curious demeanor. Ingestion can cause delirium, stupor,
convulsions, hallucinations and fever, and contact with its leaves can cause
skin irritation, itching, rash and blisters. Kind of makes you wonder why it
isn’t illegal where you are, doesn’t it?
8 Easter Lily, Lilium longiflorum
Toxic Principle: Lycorine alkaloids
Easter lilies are a very common species in the Liliaceae
family. Although native to the Ryukyu Islands of Japan and Taiwan, this
lily is found in gardens all across the globe. Growing up to one meter (3.28
ft) in height, and bearing a number of trumpet shaped, white, fragrant and
outward facing flowers, it is a keepsake to the art of gardening. Easter lilies, although beautiful, are also poisonous,
especially to cats, at an extreme level. It is also poisonous to humans due to
the alkaloid Lycorine, found in the bulbs and stems. Symptoms of poisoning due
to ingestion of Easter lily (likewise for almost all other true lilies) include
abdominal pain, salivation, shivering, nausea, vomiting and diarrhea. Wouldn’t
we all love a bit of that around Easter time?
7 Larkspur, Delphinium spp.
Toxic Principles: Alkaloids delphinine, ajacine and others
Larkspur is a member of the buttercup family Ranunculaceae,
and is native to North America. It usually
grows at higher elevations, and is often found on mountains. From 10
centimeters (3.93″), and in some alpine species, up to two meters (6.56 ft)
tall, this plant is topped with a raceme of many flowers, varying in color from
purple and blue, to red, yellow or white. Almost all species are toxic. Despite
its toxicity, Delphinium species are used as food plants by the larvae of some
moth species. All parts of the Larkspur are poisonous. Due to their
height, cattle are frequently poisoned by ingesting them. Many ranchers will
delay moving cattle onto such ranges until late summer, when toxicity rates are
the lowest. Symptoms of poisoning include burning of the lips and mouth,
numbness of throat, intense vomiting and diarrhea, muscular weakness and
spasms, weak pules, paralysis of the respiratory system and convulsions, which
usually leads to death. Although it is a genuinely attractive plant to look at,
it is best left alone.
6 Aloe Vera, Aloe Vera
Toxic Principles: Aloin and anthraquinone-glycoside
Aloe Vera is a succulent plant, recognized for its long,
spiny, flower spikes, and yellow flowers, in terminal, elongated clusters. It has
been used for thousands of years to treat burns. In addition, it has also been
used to treat heartburn, diabetes and irritable bowel syndrome. It is also
common practice for cosmetic companies to add sap or other derivatives from
aloe vera to products such as makeup, tissues, moisturizers, soaps, sunscreens,
incense, shaving cream and shampoos. It is not widely known, however, that it
is, in fact, poisonous. The gel, which is NOT poisonous, inside the leaves, is
covered in a thin layer of Aloin and Anthraquinone c-glycoside, which are very
toxic. If eaten in large enough quantities, it is known to cause abdominal
cramping, nausea and vomiting, diarrhea and red urine, though not due to blood.
Breaking a piece off to sooth irritated skin is generally considered safe, with
the exception of those sensitive to latex.
5 Azalea, Rhododendron spp.
Toxic Principle: Andromedotoxin
Azaleas are a very common plant, found in gardens all over
the world. Its evergreen leaves and brilliant flowers make it an exceptionally
attractive plant for many gardeners. Its flowers are white to deep pink, red,
yellow, purple, blue and orange. Despite its popularity, an underwhelming common knowledge of
its toxicity exists. All parts of the Rhododendron are highly toxic, and may be
fatal if eaten. Symptoms from ingestion include over-salivation, watering of
eyes and nose, abdominal pain, loss of energy, depression, nausea and vomiting,
diarrhea, weakness, difficulty breathing, progressive paralysis of arms and
legs and coma, usually leading to death. How beautiful and attractive!
4 Dumb Cane, Dieffenbachia
Toxic Principles: Calcium oxalate crystals called raphides,
oxalic acid
Dumb cane makes it to number four on our list due to its
overwhelming popularity. Dieffenbachia is an extremely common house plant, and
you’ve probably been to many homes where it resides. You might even have it in
your house and not even know about its toxicity. Dieffenbachia contains oxalic
acid, a sour acid which is also found in the tasty shamrock (oxalis). It also
contains tiny needle shaped crystals called calcium oxalate. If a leaf is
chewed, these crystals cause an extreme burning sensation in the mouth, throat
and tongue. It is also known to cause temporary vocal cord paralysis, hence the
name, ‘dumb cane’. While ingestion is not always fatal, victims describe it as
excruciatingly painful and debilitating. In addition, other symptoms include
excessive drooling, localized swelling, and difficulty in speaking and
swallowing. Nausea, vomiting and diarrhea is also reported to occur. Think
about that the next time you pass by this seemingly innocent-looking house
plant!
3 Oleander, Nerium oleander
Toxic Principles: Cardiac glycosides: nerioside and
oleandroside; saponins, and other unknown agents
Oleander is a small, yet eye-catching plant, and its flowers
are known to come in a wide assortment of colors. One aspect (perhaps already
well-known) of the plant is its high level of toxicity. A single leaf consumed
by an infant or child is often fatal. It is even known to hold its toxicity
after drying. The symptoms experienced from the ingestion of this plant are
horrific and terrifying, placing it third on our list. These include nausea,
stomach pain, dizziness, drowsiness, poor circulation to extremities, seizures,
tremors, collapse, slowed pulse, irregular heartbeat, pupil dilation, bloody
diarrhea, coma, death and suicidal depression. Yes… you read that correctly. In
Southern India, there are innumerable reported
cases of suicide after consuming mashed oleander seeds. Think about that the
next time you decide to throw a bit of oleander in your dumpling recipe!
2 Foxglove, Digitalis purpurea
Toxic Principles: Cardiac and steroid glycosides
Foxglove is a beautiful plant that is common in many
colorful gardens. Its scientific name, digitalis, means “finger-life” and
refers to the ease with which the flower can be fitted over a human fingertip.
These flowers, produced along a tall spike, are known to come in colors such as
blue, purple, pink, white and yellow. They also sometimes possess various
markings and spots inside the flowers. Foxglove is number two on our list for
its beautiful, yet sinister appearance, distribution, and unrivaled toxicity. Initially praised for its medicinal effectiveness with
treating heart conditions, epilepsy and other seizure disorders, many of its
uses are now considered inappropriate, due to its wide variety of adverse
reactions. The entire plant is toxic, though the leaves of the upper stem are
particularly potent. Just a nibble has the potential of causing death. Early
symptoms of ingestion include nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, abdominal pain, wild
hallucinations, delirium and severe headache. Depending on the severity of
toxicosis, a victim may later suffer irregular and slowed pulse, tremors,
cerebral disturbances (especially of a visual nature, such as colors appearing
yellowish to green, and blue halos around lights), convulsions and deadly
disturbances of the heart. Sadly, death is often at the end of many experiments
with foxglove.
1 Datura Stramonium
Toxic Principle: Tropane alkaloids: atropine, hyoscyamine,
and scopolamine
Finally, we have Datura Stramonium. This is a very common,
and very attractive plant. It grows just about anywhere there is soil. It can
sometimes lie dormant underground for years and suddenly germinate when the
soil is disturbed. The plant is known for its trumpet-like flower, which is
colored white to pink or purple, and its seed pod which is covered in many
sharp thorns. A foul odor is secreted when any part of the plant is disturbed
or broken. Draw your initial conclusions when you hear its many names – Devil’s
trumpet, Devil’s weed, Devil’s cucumber, Hell’s Bells, locoweed, stinkweed,
pricklyburr, thornapple, Jamestown
weed, Jimson weed, tolguacha and Moonflower. It is a member of the deadly
Nightshade family. Datura was used as a mystical sacrament in North America by
natives, and in South Asia, where Hindus
believe Lord Shiva is often seen smoking Datura. It causes intense
hallucinations and delirium. It’s unofficial name, Jamestown
weed, comes from the town in Virginia,
where British soldiers were drugged with it while attempting to suppress
Bacon’s Rebellion. They spent eleven days appearing to have gone insane, as
this suggests:
“The James-Town Weed (which resembles the Thorny Apple of
Peru, and I take to be the plant so call’d) is supposed to be one of the
greatest coolers in the world. This being an early plant, was gather’d very
young for a boil’d salad, by some of the soldiers sent thither to quell the
rebellion of Bacon (1676); and some of them ate plentifully of it, the effect
of which was a very pleasant comedy, for they turned natural fools upon it for
several days: one would blow up a feather in the air; another would dart straws
at it with much fury; and another, stark naked, was sitting up in a corner like
a monkey, grinning and making mows [grimaces] at them; a fourth would fondly
kiss and paw his companions, and sneer in their faces with a countenance more
antic than any in a Dutch droll.
In this frantic condition they were confined, lest they
should, in their folly, destroy themselves – though it was observed that all
their actions were full of innocence and good nature. Indeed, they were not
very cleanly; for they would have wallowed in their own excrements, if they had
not been prevented. A thousand such simple tricks they played, and after eleven
days returned themselves again, not remembering anything that had passed.” –
The History and Present State of Virginia,
1705
All parts of the Datura plant contains dangerous levels of
poisonous alkaloids. It is often fatal when ingested by humans and animals,
including livestock and pets. Datura intoxication typically produces a complete
inability to differentiate reality from fantasy. Other symptoms reported
include hyperthermia, tachycardia, bizarre and possibly violent behavior and
severe mydriasis with resultant painful photophobia that can last for several
days. Pronounced amnesia is another commonly reported effect. Because of the
small window between dose and overdose, recreational use of datura stramonium
is NOT advised. Overdose, more often than not, includes death.
Source : http://listverse.com
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