1. Deadly Nightshade (Atropa belladona)
According to legend, Macbeth’s soldiers poisoned the invading Danes with wine made from the sweet fruit of deadly nightshade. Indeed, it is the sweetness of the berries that often lures children and unwitting adults to consume this lethal plant. A native of wooded or waste areas in central and southern Eurasia, deadly nightshade has dull green leaves and shiny black berries about the size of cherries. Nightshade contains atropine and scopolamine in its stems, leaves, berries, and roots, and causes paralysis in the involuntary muscles of the body, including the heart. Even physical contact with the leaves may cause skin irritation.
The seven deadliest plants of the world are as follows:
1. Atropa belladona
2. Conium maculatum
3. Cicuta douglasii
4. Cerbera odollam
5. Nerium oleander
6. Abrus precatorius
7. Ageratina altissima
To me, no plant is dreadful!
So called dreadful plants are actually some very nice gift of evolution!💐
The ' toxic' principles can be used in medicinal purposes after proper study. Some of them are already in use!
Thanks.
☺
1. Atropa belladona (Solanaceae) commonly known as "Deadly Nightshade"is a perennial herb native to Europe, South Africa and Western Asia. The plant contain alkaloids 'atropine' and 'scopolamine' which causes paralysis in the involuntary muscles of the body including the heart.
2. Conium maculatum (Apiaceae) commonly known as "Poison Hemlock" is a biennial herb native to Europe and the Mediterranean region. The poisonous property of the plant is due to alkaloid 'coniine' The plant has been used in ancient Greece to kill condemned prisoners. It causes paralysis of the respiratory muscles which results in the death due to lack of oxygen to heart and brain.
3. Cicuta douglasii (Apiaceae) commonly known as "Western Water Hemlock" is native to North America and Europe. It contains toxin 'cicutoxin' which acts directly on the central nervous system (CNS) causing seizures and eventually death.
4. Cerbera odollam (Apocynaceae) commonly known as "The Suicide Tree" is native to India and other parts of Southern Asia. The seeds of the plant contain 'cerberin' which can lead to an irregular heart beat that is often fatal to if ingested in high quantities.
5. Nerium oleander (Apocynaceae) commonly known as ''Oleander'' is a cultivated as ornamental plant throughout the world. It contains cardiac glycosides which causes cardiac arrest.
6. Abrus precatorius (Fabaceae) commonly known as "Rosary Pea" is native to Indonesia. Seeds of this climbing plant contains highly poisonous 'abrin' which sabotages the body's functions at the cellular level. Just one seed is fatal to humans.
7. Ageratina altissma (Asteraceae) commonly known as ''White Snakeroot" is native to North America. The plant contains 'tremetol' which causes milk sickness, characterized by trembling, vomiting and severe intestinal pain. Several lives have been claimed by this plant in its native range.
- Badges
- Science topic
- Similar topics
- Correction