Who Is Most at Risk of Plant Poisoning?
When it comes to humans, the dangers of plant poisoning will usually fall upon everyone, especially those who spend a lot of time outside. Those include outdoor workers, hikers, foragers, and children. While each group is exposed to toxic plants, they are usually affected differently.
Outdoor Workers and Recreationalists
Those who enjoy the outdoors either as a hobby or as part of their work will rarely see a plant and decide to munch on it (although the scenario is not unheard of). However, they do tend to deal with moving through and brushing aside plants. These people are more at risk of being poisoned by touching toxic plants than by ingesting them.
Foragers
Foraging for food and medicinal plants is a desirable skill among people who want to feel at one with the land. This hobby can be very useful and enjoyable, but if done wrong , it can lead to disastrous effects. People who forage are picking and grabbing plants with the full intention of using those plants, most of the time to ingest them.
When done correctly there is nothing wrong with this practice. However, when attempting to do this it is important to gain advice from an advanced forager. The reason is that many good plants have family members that look alike and are extremely poisonous or even deadly. Tomatoes, peppers and other nightshades are examples of plants with toxic lookalikes.
Even some of the plants that people intentionally forage can be toxic if not processed properly. It is important to always double-check! Better safe than sorry.
Children
While outdoor workers are more likely to touch poison and foragers are more likely to ingest poison, children can easily do both. These bundles of joy just love to run around and explore the world. They enjoy touching things and occasionally shoving random stuff in their mouth; this is a terrible combination with toxic plants in the mix.
If you let your children run about, it is important to know what are the local toxic plants that they could accidentally get into. Try to educate the children and steer them away from where the toxic plants are located.
It is important to note that humans are not the only ones susceptible to toxic plants. Animals can be just as likely to happen upon poisonous plants.
Pets
Some pets are less likely than children to eat and touch just about everything. This is good, as a pet owner. However, you know your pet best, and it is up to you to keep them safe. There are plenty of poisonous weeds that can grow within the confines of your lawn, which might make your dogs or cats ill or worse if they eat them. Try to have an idea of what toxic plants grow in your area and keep them under control and your pets away from them.
