Poisonous Plants on the Planet

Many plant species are beneficial to us but some are extremely dangerous too. They can cause us pain and

severe damage – and worst “death”.

Jerusalem cherry (Solanum pseudocapsicum)

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The colorful fruits of Jerusalem cherry look edible and yummy but beware, these fruits are poisonous. These

plants can be grown decoratively as a house plant. So if you have this kind of ornamental plant in your garden,

keep an eye to the kids. The plant is native to Peru and they can survive frosts and cold weather. The poison it

contains is called silanocapsine which is similar to other alkaloids found in their genus, such as solanine and

atropine. The toxin cause gastric problems, including vomiting and gastroenteritis. Jerusalem cherries are

poisonous to both –humans and animals.

European Holly (Ilex aquifolium)

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The berries of European Holly are slightly poisonous to people which can cause gastroenteritis. This plant is

endemic to southern Europe, northwest Africa and southwest Asia.

Black Hellebore (Veratrum nigrum)

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Black Hellebore is a poisonous plant and a medicinal plant as well. It is native to Asia and Europe. In China, false

hellebore species are collectively called “li lu”.

Common Fumitory (Fumaria officinalis)

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Earth Smoke is the other common name of Common Fumitory, the most common species of the genus Fumaria

in Europe. It was traditionally thought to be good for the eyes, and to remove skin blemishes. In modern times

herbalists use it to treat skin diseases, and conjunctivitis; as well as to cleanse the kidneys. However, Howard

(1987) warns that fumitory is poisonous and should only be used under the direction of a medical herbalist.

Columbian Monkshood (Aconitum columbianum)

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Like other monkshoods, Columbian Monkshood is a poisonous plant. Columbian monkshood or Western

Monkshood is a wildflower native to western North America where it grows in moist areas.

Northern Wolfsbane (Aconitum lycoctonum)

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Northern Wolfsbane is endemic to Europe and northern Asia. Like all species in the genus, this plant is

poisonous.

Carolina Horsenettle (Solanum carolinense)

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All parts of the Carolina Horsenettle plant are poisonous. Children and cattle have been poisoned by eating the

green fruit. The mature fruit is reputedly non-poisonous or less poisonous. Carolina Horsenettle is also known as

Bull nettle, Carolina horse nettle, Horse nettle, Apple of Sodom, Radical Weed, Sand Brier and, Tread-softly. This

plant is known for producing painful spines along the stems that penetrate the skin and break off. It is native to

southeastern US that has spread widely throughout North America.

Eastern Black Nightshade (Solanum ptycanthum)

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All parts of the Eastern Black Nightshade or West Indian Nightshade are poisonous and contain solanine. The

main symptom of poisoning is gastrointestinal irritation. The fruits are not poisonous, which allows birds to eat and

disperse the seeds.

Blue Witch Nightshade (Solanum umbelliferum)

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Blue Witch Nightshades are found in California and Arizona. Like most other members of genus Solanum Blue

Witch contains toxic alkaloids.

Wallace Nightshade (Solanum wallacei)

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The foliage and purple-black berries of Wallace Nightshades are poisonous. Wallace’s nightshade is a rare plant

native to canyons and hillsides on Guadalupe Islands. It is also known by the name Catalina nightshade, Northern

island nightshade, or Wild Tomato

Mayapple (Podophyllum peltatum)

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The root of Mayapple is poisonous. The fruit is edible, in moderate amounts, only when it is ripened in late

summer. The plant contains podophyllotoxin, which is used as a cytostatic and topically in the treatment of genital

warts. It is native to the eastern part of North America. The Mayapple is also called the Devil’s apple, Hogapple,

Indian apple, Umbrella plant (shape of the leaves), Wild lemon (flavor of the fruit), Wild mandrake, and American

mandrake (shape of rhizomes).

Kangaroo Apple (Solanum aviculare)

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The name of this plant is Poroporo in New Zealand. The common name Kangaroo Apple is from Australia. It is a

soft-wooded shrub, native to New Zealand and the east coast of Australia. Its hermaphroditic (having both male

and female organs) flowers are white, mauve to blue-violet, 25-40 mm wide, and are followed by poisonous

berries 10-15 mm wide, orange-red to scarlet. The leaves and unripe fruits of Poroporo contain the toxic alkaloid

solasidine. It is also cultivated in Russia and Hungary for the solasidine which is extracted and used as a base

material for the production of steroid contraceptives.

American Nightshade (Solanum americanum)

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The fruit of American Nightshade is a shiny black berry containing numerous small seeds; when mature they

should be considered poisonous as they may contain high levels of solanine.

Kerosene Plant (Solanum mauritianum)

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Kerosene Plant is poisonous and handling the plants can cause irritation and nausea. The main toxic compound

is the steroid alkaloid solasodine. The dust from the plant can cause respiratory problems if exposure is

prolonged. Because of its ability to affect human health and because of its aggressive and fast growing character

it is illegal in some areas of New Zealand to sell, propagate, or distribute any part of the plant. Kerosene Plant is a

small tree or shrub native to South America. Its common names include woolly nightshade, earleaf nightshade,

flannel weed, bugweed and tobacco weeds.

American Elderberry (Sambucus canadensis)

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The berries of American Elderberry are edible, but other parts of the plant are poisonous, containing toxic calcium

oxalate crystals. American Elderberry is native to a large area of North America east of the Rock Mountains, and

south through eastern Mexico and Central America to Panama.

Henbane (Hyoscyamus niger)

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Henbane, also known as stinking nightshade, originated in Eurasia though it is now globally distributed. Henbane

can be toxic, even fatal, to animals in low doses. Hyoscyamine, scopolamine, and other tropane alkaloids have

been found in the foliage and seeds of the plant. Common effects of henbane ingestion in humans include

hallucinations, dilated pupils, restlessness, and flushed skin. Less common symptoms such as tachycardia,

convulsions, vomiting, hypertension, hyperpyrexia and ataxia have all been noted.

Oak (Quercus)

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Most species’ foliage and acorns are mildly poisonous, causing digestive upset, heart trouble, and contact

dermatitis. It is rarely fatal. The leaves and acorns of the

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