14 of the World’s Most Poisonous Plants

These lands we live on are home to more than 9 thousand plants. One-third of this figure consists of plants grown only in our country. In other words, more than 3,000 endemic plant species grow within the borders of Turkey.

14 of the World’s Most Poisonous Plants

• Belladonna
• Oleander
• Daffodil
• Foxglove
• Common Badger
• Hemlock Grass
• FIG tree
• White Willow
• Indian Oil
• Karayemis
• Forest Ivy
• Holly
• Horse Chestnut
• Box

Did you know that herbs are not always safe?

Some of the plants grown in our country cheer up our table. Some plants contain toxic substances. Therefore, these plants should definitely not be consumed. Plants that are used as ornamental plants especially in parks and gardens , whose names we hear frequently, can also be included in the poisonous class.

14 of the World’s Most Poisonous Plants

1) Belladonna (Belladonna)

• A beautician has an appearance reminiscent of spinach.
• In the past years in Istanbul, belladonna mixed with the spinach collected by the farmers, and 44 people who consumed this herb applied to the hospital due to poisoning.
• The atropine substance in belladonna causes poisoning.
• Headache and drowsiness are observed first in poisoned people. Then gradually dry mouth, dehydration, that is, thirst and delirium begin.
• In case of consumption of belladonna, the nearest health institution should be applied immediately.

2) Oleander

• Oleander, whose name we hear often and which fascinates people with its appearance and smell, is also among the plants that should never be consumed.
• Oleander leaves, which contain poisonous substances, can cause serious problems if consumed.
• The first symptom that indicates the onset of poisoning is a heart rhythm disorder.

3) Narcissus

• Narcissus, a bulbous plant species, is actually a plant that many of us are familiar with.
• This plant, which is frequently used in parks and gardens due to its beautiful appearance, contains toxic chemicals.
• It is known that narcissus, especially its bulb, is poisonous. However, there has been no death yet due to narcissus poison, and no such information has been recorded.

4) Foxglove

• This plant, which has purple flowers, is very striking in terms of its appearance.
• The foxglove contains a toxin called digitoxin.
• When this herb is consumed, it causes symptoms of poisoning such as nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, loss of consciousness, blurred vision and rhythm disturbance.

5) Common Badger

• The common yew plant, which grows fast and is green in all seasons of the year, grows in temperate and warm regions of our country.
• This plant has red, bead-like fruits. These fruits are poisonous due to the chemicals they contain and should never be consumed. It causes contractions in the arms and legs of the person who eats it.
• Due to its poisonous nature, the common badger is not preferred in the landscaping of playgrounds and gardens.
• It is known to be used only in Ankara Kuğulu Park in our country.

6) Hemlock

• Hemlock, the syrup of which Socrates was made to drink, is a poisonous plant.
• This plant, which is very similar to wild celery and parsnip, has been accidentally consumed by many people from past to present and has caused poisoning.
• Hemlock contains more than one toxic substance. However, the most toxic of these is the substance called contain. When this substance is consumed, it can cause problems such as dizziness, rhythm disturbance, tremor and paralysis.

7) Fig Tree

• The fig tree, which grows widely in the Aegean and Mediterranean in our country, does not bear fruit even though it grows in colder regions.
• The sap of this tree is known to be poisonous; however, the effect of this poison is not fully known.
• In one experiment, the sap of the tree did not cause any effect on the skin of a 10-year-old child when it came into contact with it.
• However, the same experiment was performed on a 50-year-old man, and severe burns were observed on the man’s skin.
• Therefore, the fig tree is a plant that should be approached cautiously.

8) White Willow

• The white willow tree, which is usually seen on the banks of streams, grows almost everywhere in Anatolia.
• This herb contains plenty of salicylic acids. Salicylic acid is also used in making aspirin.
• Therefore, white willow also has pain-relieving properties. Even BC. It is known that the leaves of this plant were boiled and drunk in order to reduce pain in women who gave birth in the 400s.

9) Castor Oil

• This plant, which has a pleasant appearance with its red leaves, is among the most poisonous plants in the world.
• This plant, which is used for landscaping purposes in some parks in and around Afyon, has toxic substances almost everywhere.
• Even a single seed of the castor oil plant can kill a person within two days. Therefore, it should never be consumed.
• When this herb is consumed, first a burning sensation occurs in the throat. Nausea and digestive system problems follow. Once poisoning starts, it is irreversible.

10) Karayemis

• Karayemiş, a dwarf planet in the form of a shrub, is widely used in our country.
• Blackberry, as the name suggests, has black fruits.
• The leaves and fruit stems of this plant are poisonous. If the leaves are consumed, the poison that passes into the saliva can cause respiratory failure and even death.
• Chemicals obtained from the poisonous part of the berry are used in pesticides.

11) Forest Ivy

• Forest ivy grows all over Anatolia in our country.
• This plant, which is a good cover, is often used in the landscaping of parks and gardens.
• The berries and sap of forest ivy are poisonous. It should never be consumed.

12) Holly

• Holly is a plant that is often used in Christmas decorations.
• The ends are sharp. Its leaves are dark green and its fruits are red.
• The leaves and fruits of this plant are poisonous. Even ingestion of small amounts can have dangerous consequences.

13) Horse Chestnut

• Horse chestnut is a large shade tree. It has beautiful flowers in white and pink colors.
• It grows mostly in Ankara and Sivas provinces in our country.
• It is known that it was fed to horses suffering from stomachache during the Ottoman period.
• However, raw horse chestnut is toxic to humans. It is known that a 4-year-old boy in England died due to eating raw horse chestnut.
• Horse chestnut tree is widely used in parks and gardens in our country.

14) Boxwood

• Boxwood is an evergreen dwarf shrub.
• It is generally used as a border plant.
• The leaves of this plant are poisonous.
• In fact, the leaves of boxwood have a very bitter taste. It usually happens that he is bitten and spit out.
• However, if consumed, it can lead to death.
• Boxwood sap can also cause irritation in case of skin contact.