The 10 most dangerous plants in the world

Some plants, no matter how inconspicuous, really have it all. We introduce you to the ten most dangerous plants in the world.

For gardeners, plants are some of the most beautiful things on this planet - but not all are as lovely as they look. In fact, there are those that can be absolutely dangerous to humans due to their toxic ingredients. Sometimes just a few seeds or even the mere touch of these plants are enough to trigger harmful or even life-threatening poisoning.

The most dangerous plants in the world

In the following, we will tell you which plants are among the most dangerous in the world and what you have to watch out for when handling them.

10. yew

Robust, easy to care for and absolutely opaque - yew (

taxes) have been among the most popular hedge plants for decades and have a permanent place in many gardens. The yew is also extremely popular as a topiary or ornamental plant because of its attractive needles and the attractive red colored berries. However, you should not eat the plant - almost all parts of the plant are highly toxic. The needles and seeds in particular, which are hidden in the red berries, contain the active ingredient taxine, which can lead to symptoms of poisoning even in small quantities. The first signs of yew poisoning are nausea, circulatory problems and headaches. From a dose of about 50 grams of yew needles, seizures can occur that can lead to death. Permanent liver and kidney damage are also possible through consumption of the plant.

9. diptam

With its pink flowers and herbaceous growth, the diptam (Dictamnus albus) already a great eye-catcher. But once the plant shows its true potential, many people cannot believe their eyes. In fact, in summer the plant often surrounds itself with small blue flames that run up the diptam's flower spikes and have also earned the plant the name "Burning Bush". The reason for this is the highly flammable liquid isoprene that is secreted by the plant. The plant is not harmed by this spectacle - but it can be dangerous for people be: The plant secretes phototoxic substances, the human skin against sunlight sensitize. Similar to the giant hogweed (Heracleum mantegazzianum) touching the plant and then sunshine can lead to severe burns, some of which require a very lengthy healing process.

8. Paternoster Pea

With its bright red colored berries, the paternoster pea (Abrus precatorius) a real eye-catcher. No wonder, then, that the strikingly colored seeds of the plant are traditionally used in jewelry in many areas. However, this is not entirely harmless - even swallowing a single pea can be fatal. The seeds contain the highly toxic abrin, which can lead to colic, tachycardia or organ failure. However, only the consumption of unripe fruit is dangerous. It is believed that the resilient shell of the pea does not release toxic abrin in the gastrointestinal tract unless chewed. Jewelery made from peas is also harmless if you don't suck or chew on the chains.

7. Australian nettle

Who once from a nettle (Urtica) been stung knows how painful it can be. An encounter with the Australian stinging nettle (Dendrocnide moroides) end up. The severe itching and burning pain caused by the plant lasts for several days and, in some cases, for several months. The stinging hairs known from stinging nettles, which develop their effect when they come into contact with human skin, are to blame for these symptoms. With the Australian stinging nettle, direct contact with the plant is not even necessary - since the Stinging hairs continuously fall off the plant, symptoms can also only appear when staying near the plant appear. Even clothing only helps to a limited extent against annoying hair, as it can puncture fiber-based textiles.

6. Black deadly nightshade

The black deadly nightshade (Atropa belladonna). As its Latin name "Belladonna" (beautiful lady) suggests, the plant was Antiquity used and partly also as a beauty product because of its pupil-enlarging effect as medicinal plant deployed. Even today, atropine, the active ingredient in deadly nightshade, is an important component of various medicines. However, if you eat the plant innocently, 10 to 12 berries can be deadly for an adult. The symptoms of poisoning range from dry mouth and blurred vision to hallucinations, tachycardia or respiratory arrest.

5. Spotted hemlock

Drinking from the hemlock cup - history buffs have certainly heard this term before, after all the Greek philosopher Socrates is said to have died from the poisonous drink. On the other hand, few people know that the spotted hemlock (Conium maculatum) is behind this idiom. The biennial, herbaceous plant contains the toxic active ingredient coniine and triggers burning in the throat and mouth, nausea and disorders of the nervous system, including respiratory paralysis. Particularly dangerous is the risk of confusion with similar-looking but edible umbelliferous plants such as meadow chervil (Anthriscus sylvestris). In Germany, however, the spotted hemlock can only rarely be found, as it has been systematically combated due to numerous deaths in livestock.

4. cerberus tree

With a height of 15 meters, its glossy foliage and sweetly scented flowers, the Cerberus tree (Cerbera odollam) a real beauty. But appearances are deceptive - even if the tree, which is native to the coasts of the western Pacific, is often referred to as Street tree is used, it can be dangerous for humans, because its purple fruits are poisonous. The seeds of the tree in particular contain cardiac glycosides, which trigger nausea, gastrointestinal problems and salivation when consumed. Heart and breathing problems also occur, resulting in death (untreated) in about six hours. The Cerberus tree is notorious for being the most commonly used plant for suicide or murder, owing to the fact that its venom is fast-acting and difficult to detect. For this reason it is also known as the suicide tree.

3. wondertree

Castor oil is well known to most as a remedy - it is all the more shocking that the associated miracle tree (Ricinus communis), also known as "ricinus", is one of the most dangerous plants in the world. The seeds of the tree contain ricin, a toxin that causes red blood cells to clump together and inhibits the body's protein biosynthesis. Consuming as little as two to four seeds can be fatal to an adult human. The first signs of ricin poisoning are irritation of the mucous membranes, nausea and vomiting – an antidote is still not known.

2. aconite

It is considered the most poisonous plant in Europe - the monkshood (Aconite napellus) is a dangerous beauty. Traditionally, the flower is often used as an ornamental plant cottage gardens held, where it attracts everyone's attention with its intense blue color. However, the correct handling of the plant is essential so that there is no danger to its owner. Gloves should always be worn when handling monkshood, as skin contact can already cause slight symptoms of poisoning such as burning and paralysis. Swallowing plant parts can lead to paralysis in the mouth area, nausea, dizziness, cardiac arrhythmias or even respiratory paralysis, which ultimately lead to death.

1. manchinel tree

There is hardly a more insidious and dangerous plant than the manchinel tree (Hippomane mancinella). The plant, which in South America bears the appropriate name "Manzanilla de la muerte" (little apple of death), can become dangerous for humans in several ways. The numerous, apple-like fruits of the tree are particularly seductive - unfortunately, these are absolutely poisonous and can have a fatal effect if eaten. Those who seek shelter under the manchinel tree when it rains can also endanger their health. When it rains, the tree secretes milky sap from its leaves, which drips down and causes severe burns and blisters on the skin. And even if the tree is burned, it poses a danger to humans, as it produces gases that can cause blindness. It is not for nothing that the tree is often marked in its homeland with a red "X" on the trunk or a warning sign.

A list of others poisonous ornamental plants can also be found here.