Toxic Plants You Wouldn't Expect

Antirrhinum cyathulae

The strychnos nux vomica, also known as the arrow poison tree, is a national third-level protected plant and is highly toxic. Once the white sap from this tree comes into contact with the wounds of humans and animals, it will immediately cause poisoning and adverse reactions, including heart paralysis, blood vessel closure, blood coagulation, and even suffocation and death. This is how it got its name, "seal throat when it comes into contact with blood."

Oleander

The stems and leaves can be used to make pesticides. The stems, leaves and flowers are all poisonous. The milky juice it secretes contains a toxic substance called oleandrin, which can cause poisoning if ingested by mistake. Toxicity mainly manifests itself in the gastrointestinal tract. In severe cases, cardiac reactions such as conduction block, bradycardia, and ectopic rhythm may occur.

Bachelor Tree

The sap of the Chinese hollyhock tree, also known as the green jade tree, is poisonous and can promote tumor growth. It causes cancer by promoting chromosomal rearrangement in human lymphocytes. It can irritate the skin and cause redness and swelling, and accidentally get into the eyes and cause temporary blindness. It turns out that a bachelor’s anger can be so powerful!

Mandala

The whole plant is highly poisonous, which can be caused by accidentally ingesting Datura seeds, fruits, leaves, and flowers. Its main ingredients are hyoscyamine, atropine, and scopolamine. Poisoning can cause dry mouth, dry skin, dilated pupils, rapid pulse, facial flushing, and even a drop in blood pressure leading to death.

Rhus

Rhus, Anacardiaceae, Rhus genus. The poison lies in the sap of the tree. For those who are allergic to raw lacquer, skin contact will cause redness, swelling, itching and pain. Accidental ingestion will cause strong irritation such as stomatitis, ulcers, vomiting, and diarrhea. In severe cases, toxic nephropathy may occur.

tulip

Tulip flowers contain toxic alkali. Prolonged contact can cause dizziness and hair loss.

Poinsettia

The white latex in the stems contains a variety of toxic alkaloids, which can cause redness, swelling, fever, itching and local papules after skin contact. If the stems and leaves are accidentally ingested, it can cause gastrointestinal reactions and nervous disorders in mild cases, and poisoning and death in severe cases.

hyacinth

Hyacinthaceae, Hyacinthus genus. Hyacinth bulbs are poisonous and ingestion can cause symptoms such as dizziness, stomach cramps, and diarrhea.

Hydrangea

Saxifragaceae, Hydrangea genus. If you accidentally eat hydrangea, you will experience abdominal pain a few hours later. Other typical symptoms of poisoning include skin pain, vomiting, weakness and sweating. Some people may even experience coma, convulsions and blood circulation collapse.

Five-color plum

The leaves and flowers of the Verbenaceae family and the genus Lantana are poisonous and can cause diarrhea and fever if ingested by mistake.

Red spider lily

The rhizomes are poisonous and the bulbs contain the alkaloid lycophylline, but if ingested by mistake, it may cause poisoning. In mild cases, it may cause vomiting and diarrhea, and in severe cases, it may cause paralysis of the central nervous system and be life-threatening.

Dieffenbachia

Araceae, Dieffenbachia genus. The whole plant of Dieffenbachia is poisonous, with the stem being the most toxic, followed by the petiole and leaves. This plant is the most poisonous plant in the Araceae family. Its juice causes itching and dermatitis when it comes into contact with the skin; swallowing a small tuber will cause extreme stinging in the mouth and throat and lead to vocal cord paralysis.

Wisteria

Fabaceae, Wisteria genus. Slightly poisonous. The pods, seeds and stem bark are poisonous. People who eat the pods and seeds may experience vomiting, abdominal pain, diarrhea and even dehydration.

Euphorbia pilosa

Euphorbiaceae, Euphorbia genus. The whole plant of Euphorbia pilosa has sharp thorns and the white latex in the stem is poisonous. The white latex secreted from the wounds of Euphorbia pilosa plants is irritating to human skin and mucous membranes. Accidental ingestion can cause nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, dizziness, etc.

Coral Bean

Solanaceae, Solanum. The whole plant is poisonous. Ingestion of the red fruit may cause the following symptoms: nausea, abdominal pain, diarrhea, drowsiness, slow heartbeat, dilated pupils, low blood pressure, etc. In severe cases, it may be fatal.

Editor's suggestion

In fact, the so-called poisonous plants are not that scary. The toxicity of these plants lies in their juice. Be careful not to touch them casually when caring for them. However, those who have elderly and children at home should pay attention to one thing. When raising these flowers and plants, they should remind the elderly and children.