10 Plants That Could End Your Life

Many plants have toxins that can wreak havoc on human beings. From the poison that killed Socrates to the plant used to kill people in a Breaking Bad episode, these plants can be deadly to humans and animals alike.

These popular blossoms contain cyanide, which can cause shortness of breath, fainting and a drop in blood pressure. Ingestion would need to be substantial for the effects to become fatal.

1. Hemlock

The plant that killed Socrates, hemlock contains the toxin coniine that can cause ascending muscular paralysis within a few hours. The poisonous contents in a hemlock plant’s seeds, leaves, roots, and stems kill humans and animals by disrupting their nerve-muscular junctions.

This plant from the carrot family looks like wild celery and is often mistaken for a parsnip. It’s toxic in all parts but the roots have the highest concentration of cicutoxin that could lead to vomiting, diarrhea, stomach pain, tremors, and heart failure.

This plant produces berries that contain cardiogenic toxins that affect human cardiac muscle tissue, which is what kills people who eat them. It is also poisonous to livestock.

2. Brugmansia

Brugmansias, which are sometimes called angel’s trumpets, are long-lived tropical perennials in frost-free climates that can reach heights of 20 feet or more with their downward-facing flowers. They also grow well in containers.

Ingestion of this plant can be fatal, as it contains alkaloids such as scopolamine and atropine with anticholinergic properties. Symptoms include confusion, tachycardia, dryness, urinary retention and mydriasis. The 'Jamaican Yellow' and 'Inca Sun' cultivars do not have this toxicity.

3. Dieffenbachia

Dieffenbachia is commonly known as the dumb cane plant due to its calcium oxalate crystals that irritate the soft portions of the mouth and throat. This could cause them to suffocate.

A yellowing or brownish top of a dieffenbachia can be caused by a lack of light, overwatering, over fertilizer, or pests (like mealybugs or spider mites). It can also be the sign that it’s time to repot.

Repot a dieffenbachia when the roots begin popping out of the bottom of the container. Ensure the new pot is only one or two sizes larger than the current container.

4. Larkspur

Larkspur blooms in blue, purple and white and is a traditional plant for cottage gardens. It appears often in mythological stories, most famously as the flower that grew from Achilles’ blood at the Battle of Troy.

The flowers, seeds and young plants are toxic if eaten by humans or animals. Poisoning can cause straddled stance, weakness, trembling, breathing difficulties and death.

Larkspur self-sows readily, so it can easily overtake a garden. To control its spread, grow it among other tall plants or use a stake. It is prone to diseases like botrytis blight and crown rot.

5. Othalanga

Cerbera odollam, also known as Pong-pong or Othalanga, is a species of plant that’s been used for suicide and murder. The kernels of its fruit contain a powerful cardenolide glycoside called cerberin that blocks the calcium ion channels in heart muscle and disrupts heart beat.

The plant’s popularity in Kerala is tied to its ability to kill quickly and painlessly. But forensic toxicologists now warn that its use may be much more widespread than originally thought. It’s a plant that’s responsible for roughly a death per week in the state.

6. Tobacco

Known as poison hemlock, this plant killed Socrates and has been responsible for the deaths of many others. Eating a small amount can be fatal. It’s not a painless death either – it will trigger violent convulsions until the body breaks down from dehydration.

Also called Devil’s berries and Doll’s eyes, this beautiful, flowering plant contains one of the world’s most deadly toxins, abrin. Ingesting or smoking it causes cardiac glycosides to impact the heart, causing a quick death. It also irritates the skin and causes diarrhoea.

7. Cicuta

A small dose of this plant’s seeds, roots, or leaves can kill a person within a few minutes. It works by disrupting neuromuscular junctions and causing ascending muscular paralysis that ultimately leads to death.

This weed, also known as the “rosary pea,” contains a deadly toxin called coniine. It is known to cause tingling in the mouth, limbs and throat, stomach cramps, labored breathing, irregular heartbeat, tremors, seizures and death. It has been used to commit suicide and murder in India and South Asia. It is often mistaken for a parsnip and eaten by unsuspecting munchers.

8. Angel’s Trumpet

Brugmansia and datura, commonly called angel’s trumpet, produce gorgeous flower bells that emit a delicious fragrance at night to attract hummingbirds and moths for pollination. But, as members of the nightshade family, these plants also contain tropane alkaloids, which are potent hallucinogens (1).

Like many tropical plants, angel’s trumpet needs lots of water to thrive, especially during summer. Water frequently with a watering can or hose and make sure to moisten all layers of soil. In case of poisoning, activated charcoal can help prevent further absorption of the toxin (2).

9. Lily of the Valley

All parts of the plant contain cardiac glycosides (that stop the heartbeat) which are extremely poisonous. Ingestion of any part of the plant can be fatal, especially in children.

Also known as Convallaria majalis or May bells, this perennial flower symbolizes purity, humility and virtue. It’s used as a cut flower and in perfumes.

This shade-loving ground cover can be a beautiful addition to woodland gardens, cottage gardens and shady areas in the home garden. It can be divided and replanted every autumn to maintain freshness.

10. Aloe

While you may reach for aloe vera when treating a sunburn, this plant actually contains toxins that can cause stomach aches and diarrhoea. Ingesting large amounts can also lead to drowsiness, low heart rate and shaking.

Also known as death cherries, deadly nightshade or Devil’s berries, oleander is a popular garden flower that contains one of the most toxic compounds known to humankind. Consuming even a single leaf can lead to seizures, heart failure and death. It’s also extremely dangerous for pets and children. Its berries and seeds contain cardiac glycosides that can stop the heart.