10 common plants that contain very dangerous poisons

(Baonghean.vn) - Parasol trees, oleander, rhododendrons and dieffenbachia are common plants but contain toxins that can be harmful to you.

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1. Seeds of the parasol tree

The Firmiana simplex tree has the scientific name Firmiana simplex and belongs to the Sterculiaceae family. In Vietnam, this tree is called the forest bo tree or the single trom tree. Each wooden sycamore tree can be up to 7m high. The tree often grows wild in the forest, especially in tropical rain forests or on limestone soil. In the harvest season, people often harvest the seeds and leaves.

Although the stem, leaves and sap are valuable medicines, the fruit and seeds of the parasol tree contain the highly toxic substance curcin, which can cause liver and digestive system diseases. If children accidentally eat parasol tree seeds, they will suffer from diarrhea, vomiting, abdominal pain, and burning in the throat. In severe cases of poisoning, the patient may suffer from central nervous system inhibition, cardiovascular disorders, and gastrointestinal bleeding.

2. Oleander

You may find this flowering shrub attractive, but don’t be fooled! Oleander is one of the most poisonous plants commonly found in gardens. Although it is especially poisonous to children, it is still planted in schoolyards out of ignorance.

Ingestion of oleander can cause both gastrointestinal and cardiovascular symptoms. Gastrointestinal symptoms may include nausea and vomiting, excessive salivation, abdominal lesions, and diarrhea that may or may not be bloody.

Cardiovascular symptoms include arrhythmias, sometimes characterized by a rapid heart rate followed by a slower rate below normal. The heart may beat irregularly and without any indication of a specific rhythm. More severe cases may result in paleness and coldness of the skin due to poor or unstable circulation. The effects of poisoning from this plant may also affect the central nervous system.

These symptoms may include lethargy, tremors of the limbs and muscles, seizures, collapse, and even coma, and can lead to death. Oleander sap can cause skin irritation, swelling, severe eye irritation, and allergic reactions characteristic of dermatitis.

3. Five-color flower tree

Guava, also known as five-color flower, has the scientific name Lantana Camara L. The fruit contains the toxic alkaloid lantanin or lantadene A, which causes intestinal burning, muscle relaxation, blood circulation disorders and can lead to death.

4. Nightshademedicine

This plant has many names such as Belladonna, Devil's Berries and Death Cherries. Both the leaves and the fruit are very poisonous and can be fatal if eaten by children.

A plant unique to the Western Hemisphere, its poison causes delirium, hallucinations, dilated pupils, sensitivity to light, rapid heartbeat, loss of balance, headaches, rashes, dry mouth and throat, slurred speech, constipation, and convulsions. If not treated promptly, the person exposed to the plant's poison will die because the poison disrupts the functioning of several organs in the body, such as sweat glands, breathing, and heart rate.

5. Pine tree

It is a plant of the Oleander family with lanceolate leaves, growing alternately, and a stem about 3 to 4 meters high. It originates from America. Currently, this plant is widely planted along roadsides.

In Vietnam, the flowers of the pine tree are bright yellow, in some other places the flowers are orange-yellow, the flowers usually have 5 petals. The fruit is diamond-shaped and green. This tree contains many toxic substances in the flowers, leaves, fruits and seeds. The toxins include: thevetin, neriin, glucoside... which can cause death in humans.

6. Ornamental cactus

The scientific name of the ornamental cactus is Euphorbia trigona. The sap can cause skin and eye burns if exposed, numbness of the tongue and mouth, and vomiting if ingested.

7. Rhubarb

Many people enjoy desserts made from the stems of this plant such as Rhubarb Pie, but they do not know that eating raw rhubarb leaves can be fatal. Eating large amounts of raw or cooked rhubarb leaves can cause difficulty breathing, mouth and throat ulcers, and if not treated within 1 hour, can lead to convulsions, internal bleeding, coma and eventually death.

8. Poinsettia

Poinsettia is a plant that stands out for its fiery red, pink or white upper bracts and small yellow flowers in the middle. Poinsettias are popular for display in homes during Christmas and the holidays because of their cheerful appearance and lucky name. However, the sap of the poinsettia plant can irritate the skin and eyes like other plants in the Euphorbia family. Eating poinsettia leaves can cause diarrhea or vomiting.

9. Dieffenbachia

Evergreen, native to the tropical forests of North and South America and the West Indies. One of the most commonly used foliage plants, it is easy to grow with many diverse species and is used in interior and exterior decoration, but it is also the most poisonous plant in the world. Chewing any part of this plant causes severe pain in the mouth and throat, excessive salivation, and in some cases, swelling of the throat and leading to suffocation.

10. Rhododendron

Rhododendron is a popular ornamental flower. During Tet, Vietnamese families often plant a few pots of rhododendron in their homes to wish for prosperity and abundance in the new year. The roots, stems, leaves and flowers of the rhododendron plant all contain toxins that cause nausea, vomiting, dizziness and difficulty breathing. A child weighing 25kg will be poisoned if he eats 100-250g of rhododendron leaves.

Pear Flower

(Synthetic)