There are many kinds of poisonous plants. Being able to recognize them is very important. They can even be found in your yard. These plants contain substances that when touched or taken into the human body or an animal in small or moderate amounts can cause harmful reactions or even death. They are in abundance in woods and fields. Baneberry, Star of Bethlehem and False Hellebore are some of the common plants. Scrub Oak can be found on roadsides. You can also find Climbing Bittersweet on the roadside.
Poisonous plants can even be found in homes and offices such as Lillies of the Valley and Mistletoe.
Some plants are toxic in very small amounts. One or two Castor Beans seeds may kill a child. After ingestion the poison may act immediately on the digestive tract. Some plants affect the heart such as Oleander. A few poisons act within the cells of the body, such as cyanide, which can come from the Wild Cherry plant. There’s a plant that grows wild in Florida that is called The Angel Trumpet. Many people have been poisoned by this plant from ingesting it. This is a beautiful plant but it is very dangerous. Some people even grow it in their yards because it’s so beautiful.
Many of these poisonous plants are houseplants. Children should be taught at an early age to recognize poisonous plants. This could prevent a child from ever being harmed by the effects of eating part of a poisonous plant.