We recently visited the poison garden at Alnwick Castle which contains some of the most toxic plants in existence. You really don’t want to know what the Australian Gypie-Gypie plant does to you, suffice to say that the gardeners wear hazmat suits whilst tending it.
This started me thinking about the plants in my own garden and it’s surprising just how many there are that are toxic or at least unpleasant for humans and animals. We all know about poisonous laburnum seeds and the castor oil plant (Ricinus communis) but many other common plants are also dangerous. The following are just a few.
Every part of one of our winter/spring favourites, Hellebores, is poisonous for humans and dogs. If eaten it can cause vomiting, diarrhoea, drooling, lethargy, delirium and in extreme cases death. The sap is also a skin irritant. In the past it was used as a dangerous remedy for worms!
Lily of the valley (Convallaria majalis), contains a dangerous compound called cardiac glycosides and Rhubarb has poisonous leaves which cause kidney malfunction. The leaves of Hydrangea macrophylla contain cyanide although you would have to eat a lot to become ill. It is toxic for cats, dogs and horses although strangely enough not for deer.
Prunus lusitanica, Portuguese laurel is a common hedging plant. The leaves and fruit are toxic if ingested. The leaves contain cyanide which is released into the atmosphere if cut, bruised or burned. Victorian butterfly collectors created death jars by placing a cut leaf in a jar with the insect and replacing the lid.
Aconitum, common names Monkshood and Wolfbane, is one of my favourite flowers. In the past it has been used as a poison for weapons and wolves. Criminals were dispatched with an extract from Aconitum lycoctonum.
Last year I knowingly grew from seed toxic Solanum atropurpureum after seeing it at Hidcote. I mean how can you not when you learn one of its common names is ‘Malevolence’! It’s an extremely prickly black stemmed plant with green tomato-looking fruits. I did however plant it well back in a border.
The RHS puts all the above horrors into perspective: ‘Serious poisoning by plants is very uncommon in the UK. Some garden plants present a hazard but the risk of severe poisoning, skin reaction or allergy is generally low.’
We all teach our children not to eat anything from our ornamental gardens and should be cautious about handling some plants. It’s wise to be aware of what we’re growing.
Nicky Pratt