Author Topic: 5 of The Most Deadly Plants (Read 3103 times)

SonnenKinder · « **on:** March 02, 2010, 07:52:34 PM »

The Oleander Plant

The Oleander is considered by many to be the most poisonous in the world. It contains several poisons. Despite its reputation, it is an attractive plant and used for decorative purposes. This plant is a dense shrub, and typically grows 6 to 18 feet, or (1.8 to 5.4 meters). It has thick, dark green leaves and cluster flowers of yellow, red, pink or white. The two strongest poisons are (oleandrin and neriine). This plant is so poison that it can poison a person who has injested the honey made from bees who have injested its nectar. Oleander is native to the Far East and the Mediterranean areas and introduced to the US where it grows easily. Oleander is poisonous to most animals and humans. A single injested leaf can kill a child. Symptoms of poisoning are diarrhea, vomiting, intense stomach pain, drowsiness, dizziness, an irregular heartbeat, and often death. If a victim survives injestion for 24 hours, odds of survival increase. Treatment can consist of being fed activated charcoal, induced to vomit, or having their stomach pumped as soon as possible.

The Water Hemlock Plant

The Water Hemlock Plant is an attractive wildflower, a native to North America and considered to be the most deadly on the continent. This wildflower grows to 6 feet or (1.8 meters) and thrives in marshy areas. The roots are white and sometimes mistaken for parsnip plant.. a fatal error. This root contains the poison (cicutoxin) and one bite could result in a violent death. The onset of illness is rapid. No amount of water hemlock root is considered safe to injest. Cicutoxin causes violent painful convulsions, nausea, vomiting, cramps and muscle tremors. Those who may survive the poisoning, experience long term health impairment, such as amnesia. This plant has purple striped leaves and small white blooms.

The Rosary Pea Plant

The Rosary Pea plant is native to Indonesia, but has spread across the world, mostly in tropic and sub-tropic climates. One vine can grow over 20 feet long or (6 meters) in a season. It is an aggressive plant and must be kept in check or it can take over an area. This plant has pretty seeds used for making jewelry and popular rosary beads. The seeds contain the poison (Abrin). Swallowed whole the seed presents no danger, but if the coating is broken or scratched, it is deadly. Most deaths occur by the jewelry makers who may prick a finger while handling the peas/seeds. Less than 3 micrograms of Abrin in the body is enough to kill, which is less than the amount in one pea. If ingested — and the seed coating is broken — it will cause severe nausea and vomiting, which leads to dehydration, and ends with the shutting down of the kidneys, liver, and spleen. Death usually follows in 3 to 4 days.

The Deadly Nightshade Plant

The Deadly Nightshade plant grows wild in some areas of the world, but in the US is limited to cultivation. This plant will grow between 2 to 4 feet or (0.6 to 1.2 meters). It contains poisonous atropine and scopolamine in its stems, leaves, berries and roots. The berries start to form as green and turn shiny black when ripe. The berries are sweet and juicy, which makes them a temptation to children. These berries are deadly to humans and some animals. Some animals such as horses, rabbits and sheep can eat the leaves, and birds can feast on the berries without harm. The poisons contained in Deadly Nightshade attack the nervous system, can paralyze nerve endings in the involuntary muscles, such as the heart, gastrointestinal muscles and blood vessels. As few as two berries can kill a child, 10 to 20 berries would kill an adult. Today, doctors use atropine to dilate patients pupils, and rarely perform any type of eye surgery without it. Legend also claims women in Italy used to use the juice from this plant to brighten their eyes.

The Castor Bean Plant

The Caster Bean plant most likely originated in Africa, however is now found worldwide. It is used as an ornamental plant because it grows hardy, and is cultivated for it’s oil. However this plant has deadly contents, a poison called {ricin}. Caster oil comes from the seeds which are 40 to 60 percent oil. They produce a mild tasting vegetable oil which can be used in food additives, flavoring and even in candy production. It can also be used by consumers as a laxative. This is a fast growing shrubby plant and can reach 36 feet in a season, and requires very little care. The poison {Ricin} is present throughout the plant in low levels, but largely present in the seed coating. As few as three seeds could kill a child, or pet, if swallowed. Symptoms of castor bean poisoning are nausea, abdominal cramps, vomiting, internal bleeding, kidney and circulation failure. The oil was also used in ancient times and it has been alleged the Cleopatra put the oil in her eyes to brighten them.

Author Topic: 5 of The Most Deadly Plants (Read 3103 times)

SonnenKinder

5 of The Most Deadly Plants

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