Death by Touch: The Most Dangerous Plant in Poland as a Home Decoration
Author: prepared by JKB • Source: Rynek Zdrowia • Published: June 22, 2025 20:33
In gardens, we can often come across beautiful plants that, despite appearances, contain poison. Among them are aconite and wolfsbane.
Lily of the Valley, associated with May and a symbol of spring, is very dangerous. Even a small amount of pollen can result in severe poisoning , in some cases even death.
Zielona.interia.pl reminds that monkshood (Aconitum firmum), also known as the "monkshood killer" , is also dangerous.
It is characterized by large, helmet-shaped flowers in purple and navy blue. Warning - just touching the aconite can be fatal .
Virtually all parts of the plant are poisonous because they contain aconitine, a toxic alkaloid. The website lists the symptoms of aconite poisoning as including:
- stomachache,
- numbness,
- muscle paralysis,
- in extreme cases, cardiac arrest and death.
Moreover, it is recommended to avoid contact with the plant, including touching it with gloves and inhaling the scent of the flowers.
Equally dangerous plants include (source: Zielona.interia.pl):
- deadly nightshade - a shrub with dark green, wide leaves and bell-shaped, purple-brown flowers, and the most characteristic are black, shiny fruits resembling berries;
- spotted hemlock – one of the most poisonous plants in Poland. It grows up to 2 meters high, has feathery leaves, white flowers gathered in umbels, and characteristic red-purple spots on the stem;
- hemlock – also one of the most poisonous plants in Poland. It can reach up to 1.5 meters in height, has feathery leaves and small white flowers gathered in umbels. All parts of the plant are poisonous, but the most dangerous is the root, which contains hemlock, an alkaloid that causes serious symptoms of poisoning.
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