Deadly Botany: 7 Plants That Can Kill

Suhaani Gupta
Oct 21, 2024

Manchineel (Hippomane mancinella)

Dubbed the world's most poisonous tree, every part is toxic. Its fruit can cause severe pain or death if ingested.

Lily-Of-The-Valley (Convallaria majalis)

This beautiful flowering plant contains cardiac glycosides, making it highly toxic. Its ingestion can lead to serious health complications or death.

Deadly Nightshade (Atropa belladonna)

Known for its poisonous berries, deadly nightshade contains atropine and scopolamine, leading to paralysis and skin irritation upon contact.

Rosary Pea (Abrus precatorius)

Native to tropical regions, rosary pea seeds contain abrin, which can be lethal if damaged, leading to organ failure within days.

Tobacco (Nicotiana tabacum)

Widely cultivated globally, tobacco contains nicotine and anabasine, leading to addiction and over five million deaths annually from consumption.

White Snakeroot (Ageratina altissima)

This herb caused the death of Abraham Lincoln’s mother and contains trematol, resulting in nausea, weakness, and potentially fatal symptoms.

Oleander (Nerium oleander)

All parts of this ornamental plant are toxic due to cardiac glycosides like oleandrin, causing severe gastrointestinal and neurological symptoms.

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