Deadliest plants

Number 11: Doll’s Eyes

Actaea pachypoda, commonly known as doll’s eyes, is a flowering plant native to the forests of North America. In the spring, it produces white flowers, but Actaea pachypoda’s most striking feature is its fruit. The plant features a white berry that measures roughly half an inch in diameter and has a black stigma scar. This is where the name “doll’s eyes” originates. The plant as a whole, including its berries, is considered poisonous to humans, with the berries being the most dangerous part. Cardiogenic toxins found in the berries have an immediate sedative effect on the human heart muscle, leading to death by cardiac arrest upon ingestion.

Number 10: Water Hemlock

Plants from the Cicuta genus, known as water hemlocks, have been described as the most violently toxic plants in North America. Native to temperate regions of the Northern Hemisphere, mainly North America and Europe, these large wildflowers are sometimes confused with celery or edible parsnips due to their umbrella-shaped white flowers. However, the deadly cicutoxin, particularly concentrated in their roots, attacks the central nervous system. Ingesting these plants can lead to symptoms appearing as quickly as 15 minutes after consumption, including violent seizures, respiratory failure, muscle breakdown, swelling in the brain, or kidney failure. Death often occurs within a few hours, and if the victim survives, seizures may persist for up to 96 hours.

Number 9: Rosary Pea

Abrus precatorius, also known as the rosary pea, is a perennial climber found twining around shrubs, hedges, and trees. Originally native to Indonesia, human activity has spread the rosary pea across the globe. Known for its bright seeds resembling a ladybug, the seeds contain the extremely toxic abrin, which is at least 75 times more potent than ricin. Even a single seed, if chewed and ingested, can be lethal to both adults and children. The lethal dose of abrin for an average-sized human is estimated at 0.1 milligrams, causing symptoms such as nausea, vomiting, seizures, leading to multiple organ failure, and, ultimately, death.

Number 8: Lily of the Valley

The sweetly scented lily of the valley, with bell-shaped flowers blossoming in spring, is found throughout the cool temperate Northern Hemisphere. This plant has cultural significance, being Christian Dior’s favorite flower and the basis for classic perfumes. However, it is highly poisonous, containing a toxic amino acid and around 38 different cardiac glycosides. Ingesting any part of the plant, including its bright-red berries, can lead to symptoms such as vomiting, abdominal pain, blurred vision, or reduced heart rate. The show Breaking Bad even portrayed the deadly power of the lily of the valley when used as a poison in a plot to assassinate an adversary.

Number 7: Oleander

Oleander, the only plant species in the Nerium genus, is one of the most poisonous commonly grown garden plants. Native to Southeast Asia, it can grow nearly 20 feet tall with leathery dark-green leaves and clusters of white to pink flowers. Every part of the oleander is poisonous, affecting the heart, gastrointestinal system, and central nervous system. Ingesting it can lead to muscle tremors, seizures, coma, and even death. Contact with the leaves can cause skin rashes, making it a notorious urban legend in various cultures, with tales of people dying after eating food roasted over a campfire made from oleander sticks.

Number 6: White Snakeroot

Ageratina altissima, also known as white snakeroot, is a poisonous plant native to eastern and central North America. Growing up to 5 feet tall with small white flowers, it takes a unique approach to toxicity. The plant contains a toxic alcohol called tremetol, which, when consumed by cattle, spreads to their milk and meat. Humans ingesting these contaminated products can suffer from tremetol poisoning, commonly known as milk sickness. White snakeroot was responsible for claiming many lives in the 19th century, especially among European Americans settling in the Upper South or Midwest, as they found themselves in the plant’s natural habitat.

Number 5: Suicide Tree

Cerbera odollam, commonly known as the suicide tree, bears resemblance to oleander and is native to India and Southern Asia. Its toxic oval kernels contain cardiac glycosides and cerberin, disrupting the heartbeat and often leading to fatal consequences within days of ingestion. Between 1989 and 1999, over 500 cases of fatal Cerbera poisoning were reported in the Indian state of Kerala, earning the plant its ominous name.

Number 4: Deadly Nightshade

Atropa belladonna, commonly known as deadly nightshade, has a rich history associated with poison. Legends tell of its use by Macbeth and Augustus in poisoning enemies. This perennial herbaceous plant produces purple, bell-shaped flowers and shiny black berries. Native to Central and Eastern Europe, Turkey, Iran, the Caucasus, and North Africa, deadly nightshade contains tropane alkaloids, including atropine, hyoscyamine, and hyoscine, disrupting the nervous system and leading to symptoms such as dry mouth, headaches, loss of balance, slurred speech, delirium, and convulsions. Death occurs due to respiratory or heart complications.

Number 3: Wolf’s Bane

Plants of the Aconitum genus, commonly known as aconite, wolf’s bane, monkshood, or devil’s helmet, have been known for their extreme toxicity since ancient times. Wolf’s bane, associated with Greek mythology and lycanthropy legends, contains the highly potent cardiotoxin and neurotoxin called aconitine. Ingestion leads to disruption of sodium channels, affecting neurons, skeletal muscles, and cardiac muscles. Symptoms of aconitine poisoning appear within 20 minutes to 2 hours, and death occurs within six hours due to respiratory paralysis or cardiac arrest.

Number 2: Castor Bean

Ricinus communis, the castor oil plant, holds the world record as the most poisonous common plant, primarily due to the presence of ricin in its seeds. Although castor oil has medicinal uses, ricin is notoriously deadly. Found in the pulp of the raw castor bean, ricin is extracted through a process similar to removing cyanide from almonds. Ingesting broken seeds releases ricin, causing symptoms such as a burning sensation in the mouth and throat, bloody diarrhea, and abdominal pain. Death occurs within a week if untreated. Ricin's toxicity has led to its consideration as a chemical or biological warfare agent, and it played a role in the 1978 assassination of journalist Georgi Markov.

Number 1: Tobacco

Tobacco, part of the Nicotiana genus, with over 70 plant species indigenous to the Americas, Australia, Africa, and the South Pacific, is synonymous with a global industry. Used for ceremonial rituals by native cultures, tobacco smoking has evolved into a major industry, with companies spending millions on marketing. Smoking is associated with numerous health risks, including heart attacks, emphysema, strokes, and various cancers due to the inhalation of carcinogens and poisonous chemicals present in cigarette smoke. The World Health Organization identifies tobacco smoking as the leading cause of preventable death.