Poisonous plants
Photo: SWMNPoliSciProject, CC BY 3.0 via Wikimedia Commons
While it is of course unwise to eat any unknown plant, as there are literally thousands of poisonous species, there are some plants travellers may encounter which can cause problems after merely touching them. When enjoying outdoor activities such as hiking in areas where these plants are endemic, it is best to know what to look out for. If you are not 100% sure what a plant is, better be safe than sorry and stay away from it (e.g.: There are plants that look like cucumber and tiny water melons in north-west Africa but they are actually poisonous to the touch.)!
Poison ivy, poison oak, and poison sumacLeaves of three, let it be. These three plants secrete a substance called urushiol oil, which can cause rashes and blisters known as contact dermatitis.
Stinging nettlesThese plants have many hollow stinging hairs on their leaves and stems, which act like hypodermic needles, injecting histamine and other chemicals that produce a stinging sensation when contacted by humans and other…
Giant hogweedThe giant hogweed (Heracleum mantegazzianum) is native to Caucasus and Central Asia and was first brought into Britain as an ornamental plant.
FungiThere are numerous fungi (commonly called mushrooms or toad-stools) which are toxic to humans.
See also
Sources and licences
- Guide text adapted from the Wikivoyage article "Poisonous plants" by its contributors, available under CC BY-SA 4.0. Read on Wikivoyage · Contributors · CC BY-SA 4.0
- Photo: SWMNPoliSciProject, CC BY 3.0 via Wikimedia Commons