Top Five (5) Most Poisonous Plants In The World (Pictures)

Plants are parts of the free gifts of nature; they are sources of food and income at the same time. In the earliest stage of farming, talking of the Paleolithic or Stone Age, man had no knowledge about plants, neither was the economic value of any plant was known. It was just by trial and error man was able to identify good and poisonous plants.

Prior to this discovery these plants, a lot of mishaps had been caused as many lives were lost to these poisonous plants. These plants were known and identified. However, it is imperative we discuss these plants to prevent the emergence of past events. These plants can greatly impair human’s health and at times death in severe cases. Parts of the world’s most poisonous plants are:

 

  1. Water Hemlock

 

poisonous plant

Water hemlock, botanically called Cicuta muculata,is one of the world’s most poisonous plant; it is capable of impairing human’s health greatly. This plant is the most violently toxic plant in North America. Water hemlock is a large wildflower that belongs to the carrot family; it is often confused with edible celery. This plant contains cicutoxin, it is more concentrated in the roots. It rapidly generates disturbing symptoms when consumed; these symptoms are:

  • Painful convulsion
  • Abdominal pains
  • Nausea
  • In severe cases, death.
  • Victims that escape death are often inflicted with amnesia.

 

  1. White Snake Root

most poisonous plant

Botanically called, Ageratina altissima, White Snake Root is a North America herb with flat-topped clusters of small white flowers. This poisonous plant contains toxic alcohol called Trematol. This herb is so dangerous that if an animal feeds from it, it poisons the animal’s byproducts like milk, meat, etc.

if anyone, unknowingly, consumes this animal’s product like milk, such person suffers from its pain. This plant was responsible for the death of Abraham Lincoln’s mother; she drank the milk of a cow that grazed on this plant. Symptoms of the effect of this poisonous plant are:

  • Loss of appetite
  • Nausea
  • Weakness
  • Abdominal discomfort
  • Reddened tongue
  • Abnormal acidity of the blood
  • Death in severe cases.

Farmers are making serious efforts to ensure this plant is eradicated from the pasture.

  1. Castor Beans

most poisonous plant

This plant is a native of Africa; it is common in the tropical region. It is often domesticated but only a few people knew this plant is poisonous. This plant contains a poisonous compound called Ricin; it is deadly in a small amount. Two seeds of castor beans can kill a child, while about 8 can kill an adult. Ricin is characterized by inhibiting the synthesis of protein within cells. Symptoms of this effect are:

  • Severe vomiting
  • Diarrhea
  • Seizure
  • Death in severe cases.

This plant was reportedly used to assassinate a journalist, Georgi Markov, in 1978.

 

  1. Oleander

poisonous plant

 

Oleander, Nerium oleander, is a beautiful plant with stunning appearance; it is commonly grown as a hedge and ornamental plant. But surprisingly, all parts of the oleander plant are poisonous. It contains lethal cardiac glycosides known as Oleadrin and Nerine. If mistakenly eaten, the victim shows these symptoms:
  • Vomiting
  • Diarrhea
  • Erratic pulse
  • Coma
  • And death in severe cases.

The toxins in this plant are so strong that anyone that consumes the honey obtained from bees that fed on the nectar of this plant also shares a part of its mishaps.

 

  1. Tobacco

most poisonous plant

Tobacco, Nicotiana tabacum, is a widely grown commercial non-food plant in the world. It is common in tropical regions. All parts of the tobacco plant contain the toxic alkaloids Nicotine and Anabasine. They are more concentrated on the leaves. This plant greatly claims life as more than 5 million people lost their lives yearly to tobacco consumption. This plant is considered the most deadly plant in the world.

These are plants that are capable of causing great harm to the well-being of human and animals. Their existence is to strike balance in nature and enlighten humans about the opposite side of life, as we have good humans and bad humans, so also we have good plants and poisonous plants.

 

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3 thoughts on “Top Five (5) Most Poisonous Plants In The World (Pictures)”

  1. Interesting, …and thanks. Just a note about water hemlock, …member of the carrot family. Queen Anne's Lace, …which the pith of the roots are edible when young, looks similar. The difference being, Queen Anne's Lace (wild Carrot), has one purple tiny flower in the center of each bract.

    Reply
  2. Thanks for your enlightenment and I appreciate were you to at all time update me with modern agricultural info and technologies. I am a student of agriculture from the university with a bachelor degree and desiring to persue a master’s in entomology.

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  3. I thank you a lot for this post. These plants on the face of it appear very innocent and both tobacco and castor beans are widely used in Africa. In fact castor oil is also recommended for use in herbal treatment.
    Albert

    Reply

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