15 Charming But Poisonous Flowers That Might Be In Your Garden

Flowers: a symbol of purity, beauty and love

With each color having a different meaning

White for weddings, red for valentines, blue for desires etc.

But do we know that most flowers that are relaxing to watch or easy to grow at home are actually poisonous?

Yes, indeed, some flowers are poisonous and even deadly.

So, let’s get to know a few deadly flowers to make sure we’re careful the next time we pick any of them. (Poisonous Flowers)

How do we define poisonous flowers?

Flowers that can harm the health of humans, pets, cattle and other domestic animals by touching or consuming, regardless of their shape and color, are called poisonous or dangerous flowers. (Poisonous Flowers)

Degree of Toxicity Varies For Deadly Flowers

The degree of toxicity also varies.

Therefore, for your convenience, the toxicity rating is divided into two levels: Very Toxic and Moderate and Low Toxic.

Some are so deadly that eating them can cause serious health problems, even death. (Extremely Toxic)

Some cause digestive system problems when ingested (Moderately Toxic)

And some flowers can only cause skin irritation (Low Toxic)

So, without further delay, let’s move on to some of the world’s deadliest flowers. (Poisonous Flowers)

Highly Toxic flowers

Let’s start with the 10 deadliest flowers in the world.

Given below is a list of flowers, a few of which are poisonous to the touch, let alone swallowed. They are equally toxic to humans, to cats and dogs, as stated by the ASPCA on its website. (Poisonous Flowers)

1. Foxglove

Consumption of this herb causes irregular heartbeats that lead to death. It is also known as the poisonous plant of California.

The foxgloves are bell-shaped flowers from the category of poisonous purple flowers, but a few can also be white, creamy-yellow rose, or pink.

The toxic element is digitalis glycosides, an organic compound that affects the cardiovascular system.

It is widely grown in home gardens because of its beauty and unique shape. However, caution is advised when sewing this at home.

Keep away from children and pets. There is a story of a couple in the United States who accidentally ate these flowers as borage and their heartbeat was adversely affected. (Poisonous Flowers)

2. Aconite or Wolf’s Bane

It is also called Aconitum, Monkshood or Devil’s helmet – a genus with more than 250 species. (Poisonous Flowers)

Another name is Wolf’s Bane because it was used in the past to kill wolves. It is also a poisonous Japanese flower.

Spire-like flowers are purple or dark blue. The upper sepal of the flower transforms into a helmet-like structure resembling the cloaks worn by medieval monks.

It is also one of the deadliest plants ever known and can even lead to death if ingested or handled without protective gardening gloves.

According to poison expert John Robertson,

“It’s probably the most poisonous plant that people will have in their garden,”

News came that 33-year-old gardener Greenway stumbled upon this plant while gardening and later died of multiple organ failure. (Poisonous Flowers)

Another death was that of Canadian actor Andre Noble, who accidentally ate aconite while on a walking tour.

The whole plant is poisonous, not just the flowers. A victim or animal may experience dizziness, vomiting, diarrhea leading to arrhythmia, paralysis or cardiac arrest. (Poisonous Flowers)

3. Larkspur

Larkspur is another poisonous flower that heavily affects cattle in the western US.

Toxicity level in plants is high in the early growth period, but the level of toxin increases in flowers even late in the season. (Poisonous Flowers)

The toxicity is due to the presence of several alkaloids in it.

The trap lies in the deliciousness of this flower and the fact that it grows in early spring before the grass even grows – leaving the cattle the only option.

Horses and sheep are least affected, but it can be fatal for them if they do not rest after eating large quantities of larkspur. (Poisonous Flowers)

Do You Know: Larkspur is a widely grown plant to make medicines for intestinal worms, poor appetite, and as a sedative. That’s why you may find websites telling how to plant, prune, and water Larkspur.

4. Morning Glory

Ipomoea or Convolvulus or Morning Glory is another deadly flower that is nothing more than a snake in the grass.

The genus is Ipomoea, with over 600 species, of which Ipomoea purpurea is more common.

The trumpet-shaped flowers contain poisonous seeds.

The ACPSA specifically mentions it as a poisonous plant to cats, dogs, and horses.

The toxic part is Indole alkaloids such as Elymoclavin, Lysergic Acid, Lysergamide and Chanoklavin.

Fortunately, the leaves of Morningflowers are not dangerous. But if the seed is consumed, it will do more harm than expected. (Poisonous Flowers)

5. Mountain Laurel

Common names are Mountain Laurel, Calico bush, or simply Laurel. The family name is Ericaceae.

It is a perennial herb that grows up to 3 meters in height.

Small white or pink flower with burgundy or purple markings bloom in late spring or early summer.

Not only the flowers, but the whole plant, especially the young shoots and leaves, are poisonous. (Poisonous Flowers)

6. Oleander

Oleander flowers, also called Rose Laurel, are another type of tropical poisonous flower that has proven deadly in many cases.

Not just the flowers, but all parts of the plants – leaves, flower roots, stems, stems – are said to be poisonous,

It is so poisonous that some claim that eating a single leaf of a child can kill it instantly.

It is also dangerous to inhale the fumes while burning wood.

The famous case of poisoning in the Peninsular War of 1807 is well known, where soldiers died from meat cooked on oleander skewers.

The shrub is also toxic to cattle and horses. Even the water in which oleander leaves fall is toxic to animals. (Poisonous Flowers)

7. Lily of the Valley

Check out one of these most fragrant yet poisonous flowers that are white, small and bell-shaped.

Like other poisonous plants, this herbaceous plant is all poisonous. The toxic component is Cardiac glycosides.

It is easily found in the Appalachia region of the United States. So, it’s not uncommon to find it in someone’s yard out there.

It grows up to 12 inches high and spreads quickly due to its fast spreading rhizomes.

So how toxic is it?

Its toxicity is linked to its ability to defend itself against animals that eat its seeds. (Poisonous Flowers)

8. Poison Hemlock or Conium Maculatam

Commonly known as hemlock, it is a highly poisonous herbaceous flowering plant from the famous carrot family in Texas.

It grows in the United States and reaches 6-10 ft. high with a hollow stem and gives the illusion of a wild carrot plant.

They are usually seen on roadsides, field edges, hiking trails and ditches.

The flowers are beautiful, loosely clustered, and each has five petals.

All parts of this plant are poisonous, not just the flowers. The toxic compounds are g-coniceine, coniine and related piperidine alkaloids. (Poisonous Flowers)

Did You Know: It was Poison Hemlock that killed the ancient Greek philosopher, Socrates

Poisoning happens because this plant is in many ways similar to many other herbs.

Its roots are similar to wild parsnip, its leaves to parsley, and its seeds to anise.

Children once fell victim to this plant when they used whistles made from its hollow stems.

It has been reported that sheep, cattle, pigs, horses and domestic animals, as well as humans, have died from consuming this plant both green and dry.

Animals that eat Poison Hemlock die from respiratory paralysis within 2-3 hours. (Poisonous Flowers)

9. Water Hemlock or Cicuta

Some people confuse the Water Hemlock with the aforementioned Toxic Hemlock.

But both are different.

Water Hemlock or Cicuta is a genus with 4-5 species while Poison Hemlock is one of the species of the Conium genus. (Poisonous Flowers)

Hemlock is one of the poisonous trees that grows widely in creek banks, wet meadows, and marshes in North America.

It has small umbrella-like flowers that are white and form clusters.

All parts of plants such as roots, seeds, flowers, leaves and fruits are poisonous. The toxic compound is Cicutoxin, which directly attacks the central nervous system.

Affected animals show signs of poisoning within 15 minutes to 6 hours.

Most animal losses occur in early spring when animals graze on green seed heads.

All of the following Cicuta species are equally venomous and similar in shape and size. (Poisonous Flowers)

• cicuta bulbifera
• Cicuta douglasii
• cicuta maculata
• Cicuta virus

10. Colorado Rubberweed or Pinge

Colorado Rubberweed or Bitterweed is a small hairy plant from a sunflower family that grows up to 1.5 ft.

It grows in the mountains and foothills in early spring until the first frost.

Its golden yellow or orange flowers are highly toxic, causing enormous losses to herds of sheep and sometimes cattle.

Losses are higher when hungry animals pass through where they are commonly raised.

Besides the flowers, the stems, seeds, leaves and any part above the ground are poisonous.

The plant first attacks the animal’s digestive system and produces a green froth around its nose as the first sign.

A sheep that eats 1/4 to ½ kg of Colorado rubber grass or large quantities at once for 1-2 weeks may die. (Poisonous Flowers)

Moderately and Low Toxic Flowers

Flowers in this category are not the deadliest, as the maximum they can do is cause skin irritation or make you sick.

However, in severe cases where most of them are consumed, it can also cause death. (Poisonous Flowers)

11. Baby’s Breath

It belongs to the category of poisonous white flowers.

With mostly white flowers, baby’s breath is a perennial ornamental garden plant that forms most bouquets sold in the United States.

Is baby’s breath poisonous?

All parts of this plant are poisonous and can cause Contact Dermatitis or allergic asthma. The toxic compound is Saponin.

In the United States, it can be found on roadsides, beaches, and other open areas where the soil is not that acidic.

Growing in most pastures and barns, it is called a weed in Washington and California. (Poisonous Flowers)

12. Bleeding Heart

The pink heart-shaped flowers on a springy stem look very cute in the garden. Yet the toxicity in them warns us to use them with caution.

Asian Bleeding heart grows to 47 inches high and 18 inches wide.

The entire plant, including the roots, is poisonous to both animals and humans. The toxic compound is the isoquinoline-like alkaloids in it. (Poisonous Flowers)

13. Daffodils

Daffodils are poisonous yellow flowers whose bloom is a sign of spring eve.

It is a showy yellow with six petals and a trumpet-shaped corona in the middle. The height of the plant is only 1 to 1.5 feet as each flower grows on a separate thick, fluffy stem.

All parts of narcissus plants are poisonous and the poisonous compound is lycorine and oxalate.

Eating onions, in particular, causes stomach upset and mouth irritation due to the highest concentration of lycorine in it.

But fortunately, it is not life-threatening like other poisonous plants.

Therefore, it is recommended not to plant daffodils in places where children or pets can easily reach them. (Poisonous Flowers)

Real Story: A four-year-old girl ate two daffodils and began to vomit after 20 minutes. On Poison Control’s advice, she was given fluids and got better after 2 hours

14. Bloodroot

Bloodroot is a herbaceous plant with white flowers in early spring surrounded by large round leaves.

Its name is derived from the red blood-like latex obtained from the rhizomes of these plants.

Although the plant is famous for its anti-inflammatory, antiseptic and diuretic purposes, care should be taken before using it.

The plant contains sanguinarine, which is suspected of causing cancer. (Poisonous Flowers)

15. Naked Lady or Amaryllis belladonna

Other names for this plant are Amaryllis Lily, August Lily, Belladonna Lily, Jersey Lily, March Lily, Naked Lady, Resurrection Lily.

It is a common herb sold in the United States for its beautiful flowers produced in winter.

Consumption of the bulb has caused poisoning effects in many people. Toxic elements are alkaloid and lycorine.

All parts of the plant are poisonous, including the flowers, leaves, roots, seeds, and stems.

It grows to 2-3 ft high and propagates by bulb rather than stem cutting. (Poisonous Flowers)

Are lilies poisonous to humans: Well, not all lilies are toxic to humans, but for cats, one has to be cautious, almost all the lilies are extremely dangerous for them.

What Flowers Are Poisonous to Cats? Poisonous Flowers for Cats

We give our cats honey, lettuce, etc. We are also concerned about our cats getting close to houseplants because we are careful when giving them food.

Is this plant poisonous to our cat? Will it hurt him? And similar questions are swirling in our minds.

Below are some flowers that should be kept at arm’s length from pet cats, according to the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (ASPCA). (Poisonous Flowers)

• Lilies such as Amaryllis belladonna, Arum lily, Asiatic lily, Barbados lily, Calla Lily
• autumn crocus
• Azalea
• Pride of Barbados
• begonia
• bishop’s grass
• bitter root
• call black
• butterfly iris
• Cape Jasmine
• Daisy

What Flowers Are Poisonous to Dogs?

Combining the list provided by Veterinary Technicians and the APCA, the following are flowers or plants that are toxic to dogs, some of which have been discussed in detail above. (Poisonous Flowers)

• autumn crocus
• azaleas
• Black Grasshopper
• bleeding heart
• buttercups
• Cherries (Wild and Cultivated)
• Daffodil
• Dieffenbachia (Stupid Walking Stick)
• Elder-berry
• elephant ear
• Foxglove
• Jasmine
• Jimson Grass (Prickly Apple)
• Lantana Camara (Red Sage)
• larkspur
• bay
• Lily of the valley
• monkhood
• nightshade
• oak trees
• Oleander
• poison hemlock
• Rhubarb
• Water Hemlock

Conclusion

The beautiful but poisonous flowers mentioned above are not elaborate. Instead, there are hundreds of flowers, like the deadly nightshade, that look very beautiful but hide poison in them.

In the wild, such plants mostly prey on livestock and other freely grazing animals. Therefore, cut off any suspicious plant or herbs in your garden.

Have you seen any of the flowers above? Or have you heard of any person or animal being poisoned by such a flower? Share your story with us in the comments section below.

Also, don’t forget to pin/bookmark and visit our blog for more interesting but original information. (Poisonous Flowers)