One of the more famous and abundant plants that can cause pain and rashes is the common stinging nettle or burn nettle (Urtica dioica).Įasily identified are its green leaves with deeply serrated edges, but what are harder to see are the hollow little hairs under these leaves and the stems. 'It will also rip your hands to shreds if you try to pull it up without sturdy gloves on – and I am not exaggerating.' 'Bracken is very common, but is well known to be carcinogenic,' said Dann. One toxin in bracken called ptaquiloside has ended up in water supplies and cow's milk and is suspected to be responsible for cancer hotspots in the UK. The plant also contains carcinogens that if ingested can cause esophageal and stomach cancer, research has shown.ĭespite the known dangers, the bracken plant is still widely eaten in Japan, Korea and parts of China as a delicacy. When the fronds are damaged by a browsing animal, bracken produces hydrogen cyanide which quickly poisons the perpetrator. 'Those have been mistaken for those of several unrelated edible plants, including horseradish, Jerusalem artichoke and alexanders, leading to numerous fatalities.'Īnother plant in the same genus – called Aconitum lycoctonum and commonly referred to as wolfsbane too – is traditionally used to make poison arrows and bullets.Īconitum species have been responsible for several high-profile human deaths, including that of Canadian actor Andre Noble, who died on a camping trip in 2004 after accidentally consuming the plant.Ī regular sight in the British countryside is the common bracken plant (Pteridium aquilinum), which particularly thrives in woodland.īracken has large triangular leaves called 'fronds' likened to an eagle's wing that have a leathery and shiny appearance. 'It is the most dangerous poisonous plant in the British isles, all parts being toxic, especially the roots,' said Dann. In 2014, a 33-year-old gardener died from multiple organ failure after 'brushing against' wolfsbane at an estate in Hampshire. In severe cases, the poisoning causes heart arrhythmia, paralysis of the heart and respiratory problems, while other symptoms can include vomiting, dizziness and diarrhoea.Īlthough the most severe issues arise from ingesting wolfsbane – namely death – even just touching the plant can lead to respiratory and cardiac problems. In the Harry Potter books, wolfsbane potion stopped werewolves from being dangerous – but the real-life plant is nowhere near as restorative.Īll parts of the plant, also known as Aconitum napellus, are poisonous, including the pretty hood-shaped blue or purple flowers. 'The sap can pass through clothing when people are cutting it down.'
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