Scary Plants

by Lydia Holley October 28, 2024

Halloween may be the scariest night of the year, but scary plants can pop up anytime.

Two of the most frightening plants that may appear in your garden are poison ivy and poison oak. Count yourself lucky if you are one of the 15 to 25 percent of the people who have no reaction. Others of us will experience itching and oozing blisters with just the slightest brush against these plants.

Besides poison ivy and poison oak, it can be alarming when sandburs, sticky weed, or bullnettles invade a garden. But some scary plants are added to gardens intentionally. I grow several types of plants which have thorns. But those thorns can damage skin or eyes. Barberry, bougainvillea, cacti, holly, pyracantha, and roses are some of the most commonly used thorny plants.

Some plants are toxic. Oleander is a beautiful evergreen bush with lovely blooms. It is considered extremely toxic since every part of the plant, from the leaves, stems, and even its flowers, are poisonous. The gorgeous foxglove is dangerous because it affects the heart. Datura, also known as Jimsonweed or Devil’s Trumpet, is also toxic, although the National Library of Medicine states its amount of poison is “highly variable and unpredictable.” It is best to err on the side of caution.

Angel’s Trumpet (Brugmansia) looks like Datura except Datura is short and its flowers point upward whereas Brugmansia grows like a tree and its flowers hang downward. According to WebMd, you can be poisoned by either eating or touching Brugmansia, and may even get headaches from its strong, sweet scent. If you have asthma or any other type of breathing difficulties, it is best to stay away from it.

My grandmother used to cook pokeweed. However, I never cared for it and I would never try to cook it. Mount Sinai states the leaves, stems, and especially its roots are toxic.

You are not safe inside, either. Dumb cane (Dieffenbachia) and Philodendron plants are popular houseplants that are not safe to eat. I am not certain anyone would eat them on purpose, but some have mistaken the leaves for other plants and consumed them unintentionally. And all Euphorbia, whether grown indoors or out, contain a milky sap which can be highly irritating to skin. The Euphorbia genus is large. It includes poinsettias, crown of thorns, wood spurges, and many others.

Plants are necessary. Some are beautiful. Others are delicious. But do not forget to take precautions around them. Wear gloves. Watch for reactions. If you suffer any adverse response from contact with any plant, consider calling your doctor or poison control. There are also many plants which are toxic to pets, so if you have cats or dogs you will want to watch them closely. And of course, be especially vigilant whenever children are around.

This does not begin to cover the large number of plants that are scary for one reason or another. So, beware. Plants can be dangerous anytime of the year, not just on Halloween.

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