Found this today thought I would share! http://www.oddee.com/item_97805.aspx?utm_source=twitterfeed&utm_medium=twitter
Oleander, it is amazing how few people know about the toxicity of this plant and have it in their yards where their children play. I had one killed off in this yard when we bought this house because I was expecting our youngest girl. Manchineel... I think I remember hearing a warning about this tree when I lived in south Florida, it was most commonly called Manzanilla if I remember correctly. Which is confusing because the Spanish name for Chamomile is also Manzanilla, at least that's what I have read. I guess that's a case of double checking before you drink the tea. Belladonna....I had heard that the berries pose the most danger because they look good to eat and tempt children and some unthinking adults into tasting them and it doesn't take very many to be fatal. Always know what it is before putting it in your mouth!! Castor Beans... it is a pretty plant with huge leaves but since the beans contain Ricin I don't think I will be planting it anytime soon. And Castor Oil tastes terrible but is supposed to be good for what ails you. Cicuta - Water Hemlock...isn't that the one that can be mistaken for Queen Anne's Lace? Taxus Baccata-English Yew...I have heard of this being referred to as the tree of death and has been planted in cemeteries for centuries. Rhubarb..I have heard people call it red celery, just hope they don't include it's leaves in soups the way you can celery. Daphne...I can't grow it here but never knew it was toxic Dieffenbachia -Dumb Cane....many years ago an episode of the TV program Emergency had a story line about a woman who got tired of hearing her husband complain about everything so she put a drop of the sap in his morning coffee to get some peace and quiet. Datura Stramonium - Jimson Weed....that's really bad stuff and is a controlled substance in many states, so check the laws of your state before growing it.
I knew about Oleander. I have one growing (no kids around here). Did have a Castor Bean a few years ago... well... Hubby's sister gave it to him. Fortunately it died. And knew about the Dumb Cane. Have had them as house plants over the years. And remember hearing about Jimson Weed. So I have only one "highly" poisonous plant growing.
Well, I do have one of these plants growing here at my house. I grow them intentionally, also. I put the castor beans in the row of raspberries to help repel the moles. the moles tunnel all over getting the grubs in the lawn and seem to like the raspberry rows the best, in effect damaging the roots enough that the berries are stressed and do poorly. So bye, bye, moles! Taxus are so boring to look at I don't know why anyone would want one. Interesting list though.
I have several of these plants too, but I knew they were poisonous. I found another interesting link while on that page that others might find interesting http://www.oddee.com/item_97211.aspx
Thanks for posting that link Netty. That first one is just a little too "out there" for me! :-D I think my favs are #2 & #6.
Wow. Very nice article. Short, to the point and with pictures. I will also link this on the Romanian gardening forum I am member of. Funny how you can eat stems but not the roots... (rhubarb). And the Yew, I got one small seedling for my dad last year. Still, many years to go before we see any of those cute red berries.
