10 Plants Most Poisonous to Children
While the natural world may always make the best playground, there are some species out there that can cause major problems for children. Read on to learn about the worst offenders of the toxic world, and learn to identify them so you can keep your children far, far away.
Angel’s trumpet is a showy and unique addition to any garden and is prized for its flowers which have a trumpet shape and a variety of colors including yellow, orange, white, pink, or red. Use extreme caution, however, as all parts of Angel’s trumpet are poisonous when ingested.
The species known as Bittersweet is a semi-woody vine found in forests, marshes, shrublands, and hedgerows. All parts of the plant contain alkaloids (especially the bright red berries), which are extremely poisonous to humans and livestock if ingested. In spite of its toxicity, Bittersweet was hung as a talisman in the past to ward off witchcraft.
Although its berries look juicy and tempting, the fruits and the root of American pokeweed are toxic and should not be eaten. American pokeweed is considered a pest species by farmers but is nevertheless often grown as an ornamental plant. Its berries can be made into pokeberry ink as well.
Black nightshade (Solanum nigrum) is a highly toxic plant and caution should be exercised around this plant. It’s said that Black nightshade fruits can technically be consumed if they are fully ripe and properly cooked and prepared. Generally though, due to the danger they present, no one would ever want to try to eat this plant.
Common foxglove (Digitalis purpurea) is a herbaceous flowering plant naturally found in forests, heaths, and mountain grasslands. Common foxglove produces clusters of purple to white tubular flowers, with numerous dark spots on the inner surface. They are very attractive and commonly cultivated for ornamental purposes.
Native to the Mediterranean, the Italian arum is cultivated as an ornamental plant and has been naturalized in a variety of places, including the Caucasus region, Argentina, and the United States. The berries and leaves are considered to be poisonous and should avoid ingesting.
Common holly (Ilex aquifolium) is an evergreen tree or shrub, recognized by the characteristic shape of its leaves and bright red berries. Its natural habitat is understories of oak and beech forests. Common holly is widely used in landscaping in temperate regions. Thick crown and prickly leaves make this plant excellent for hedges.
Canada yew (Taxus canadensis) is a conifer tree native to northeastern North America. Canada yew produces poisonous toxins called taxanes. All parts of this plant are toxic.
Rhododendron indicum is a small semi-evergreen flowering shrub native to East Asia, colloquially known as Southern Indian azalea. It produces a great number of lovely pink flowers during the blooming time, which is why Southern Indian azalea is often used for ornamental purposes. There are many cultivars of this gorgeous plant and some are used for bonsai.
Nerium oleander, colloquially known as Oleander, is a shrub or a small tree, known for its majestic pink five-lobed flowers and deep green lanceolate leaves. Oleander is one of the most poisonous popular decorative garden plants, so it is advised to keep small children and pets away from it.