These Most Dangerous Plants in The World Will Make You Want to Stay Indoors Forever

[Judi Lynn]

Nature, you scary.


REBECCA HARRINGTON, BUSINESS INSIDER
20 JUN 2018

At the height of North American summer, many plants are at their most dangerous.

We don't normally think of plants as particularly scary organisms. But this rather entertaining Reddit thread from 2016 will make you reconsider that assumption.

"Botanists of Reddit, what are the scariest plants in the world?" user Zipzapadam asked. And Reddit delivered.

We're not talking about common poison ivy or run-of-the-mill carnivorous plants. Some of these plants could actually kill you.

More:
https://www.sciencealert.com/most-deadly-plants-hogweed-wolfsbane-devils-snare-gympie-hemlock

[tblue37]

1. K&R and thanks! nt

[geardaddy]

2. We've grown this before: Ricinus communis (Castor Bean)

It's a beautiful plant, but we know it's extremely toxic. Just don't eat the beans. Incidentally, castor beans are what castor oil is made from. Apparently, heating the beans removes the toxins. You should also avoid bare skin contact with the plant.

We've also grown datura stramonium (moon flower). Another beautiful plant whose flowers open at night and are very fragrant. Just don't eat the stuff or touch your mouth, nose, face after you've handled the plant.

[Midnight Writer]

3. Giant Hogweed are cute when they dance, but Triffids are truly scary.

[mainer]

4. I have several gorgeous monkshood plants in my garden

You just have to keep away the kids.

[walikali]

5. walikali

very nice article Judi

[Judi Lynn]

14. Thank you for your kind comment, walikali. Welcome to D.U.

[The River]

6. One Word

Kudzu

[populistdriven]

7. the lowly cashew is dangerous to harvest, witness these hands

https://www.researchgate.net/publication/319673509/figure/fig3/AS:538558301982720@1505413713362/Burning-skin-and-detachments-from-contacts-with-Cashew-Nut-Shell-Liquid-CNSL.png

[BigmanPigman]

8. That photo reminds me of Audrey from Little Shop of Horrors.

[dixiegrrrrl]

9. Native southerners here might know of the plant I am thinking of

looks like a very low to the ground lil strawberry like plant with a strawberry looking white flower.
One light touch of the leaves put me in more pain that I have ever felt from any burn or deep knife cut.
the teeniest tip of my finger at that.

The plant would be very easy to brush the edge of your foot against it if you had sandals..or barefeet.

It;s got teeny spines on the leaves, had to use a magnifying glass to see them. I have no doubt getting more contact with it could give someone a heart attack, I am really impressed at the pain level.

Anyone know it?

[ashling]

10. Sounds like

a bull nettle

[dixiegrrrrl]

11. Yep...that is it. Thank you.

Just looked it up. 2 sites did not mention Ala. as a location, but we have it in several places here, in our yard. I spray it every change I get, one of the very few times I use any weedkiller.

Cannot emphasize how bad the pain is. Comparable to shingles, same fire-like burning feeling.

[forgotmylogin]

12. The original article has a video...

Of a guy who explains for five whole minutes how dangerous one of the plants is, then touches it on purpose.

[rocktivity]

13. And now for something completely appropriate

Let's spin that DU oldie but smelly "The Plant That Smells like a Corpse (Every 11 years)"



https://www.democraticunderground.com/10025147300


rocktivity

[Judi Lynn]

15. Wouldn't want too many of these on one's garden.

The people at the link seemed so impressed!