In case anyone's wondering where my sudden interest in poisonous plants came from, it's because I read The Sweetness at the Bottom of the Pie, by Alan Bradley. And no, I have NOT been researching poison so I can actually USE it. Just in case this wasn't obvious, I don't recommend testing these plants to see if I'm right. (Though I'm sure none of you were thinking about it... were you?)

Aconite




Aconitium napellus

This blue flower is deadly. It has a poison similar to that of larkspurs and delphiniums (which, in big enough doses, can also kill you, although I don't think it's as deadly as aconite). It can be found growing throughout Europe and the United States. It is also known as monkshood, the name coming from the appearance of the sepal, which resembles a hood or helmet. The Nazis added aconite to their bullets to make them extra deadly.



Bleeding Heart



Dicentra spp.

This attractive flower resembles a heart with a drop of blood suspended from it. It contains alkaloid toxins similar to those of the poppy family. The alkaloid can cause seizures, nausea, and respiratory problems.




Lily-of-the-Valley




Convallaria majalis

All parts of this flower are poisonous, the bulbs in particular. It contains various cardiac glycosides and, when consumed, provides a reaction similar to that of foxgloves (which I discussed in my last post). Both plants have been used to treat heart conditions. Lily-of-the-Valley can lead to headaches, nausea, and even heart failure.




Deadly Nightshade



Atropa belladonna

Due to the name, "Deadly Nightshade", do I really need to tell you that this plant isn't something you want to put in your mouth? This plant can cause hallucinations and headaches, among others things (which include killing you.) The black berries, however, are very attractive. Rabbits and cattle can eat them with no side effects. However, this does not extend to humans. (Which goes to show you that, when stranded on a deserted island, watching what the animals eat will not help you much.) The name Atropa has an interesting route. The three Fates of Greek Mythology each had a role. Lachesis measured the thread of destiny at birth. Clotho spun the thread, controlling their destiny. Atropos chose the time and manner of death.

Fertilization

For a flowering plant to reproduce, the male cells (pollen) and the female cells (ovule) have to join together. This is called fertilization. When a grain of pollen lands on the stigma (the sticky part of the carpel, see my last post) it forms into a pollen tube (the tube that transports male cells to the ovule at the bottom of the pistil). The pollen tube goes down into the ovary and enters an ovule through a tiny hole, the microphyle.

A pollen grain contains two male nuclei. These go down the pollen tube and join the contents of the ovule. One forms a zygote, which is the first cell of the new organism. The other creates a layer of tissue called endosperm, These become a seed. The ovary becomes a fruit. The plant no longer needs the rest of its parts and it dies.

Some plants do not need to be pollinated. The bee orchid, for example, attracts a certain type of bee by looking and smelling like a female bee, but if no bees come, its stamens will bend over and transfer pollen to the stigma.

Cell Division

Cells have the ability to divide in order create new cells for growth or repair. The process, cell division, occurs in two stages. The first stage, mitosis, is when the nucleus divides into two parts, which each become a new nucleus. The two nuclei, called daughter nuclei, are identical copies of the original.

The second stage of cell division is called cytokinesis. A dividing line called the cell plate forms. It runs down the middle of the cytoplasm. (Cytoplasm is the gel-like substance inside a cell in which organelles are suspended. And organelles are the small parts inside a plant or animal cell.) New cell walls build up along the cell plate. These separate the new cells.

Reproduction is the creation of new life. All living things contain the parts needed for reproduction. In flowers, these produce male and female cells called gametes, which join to create new plants. The many specialized parts of flowers include petals, stamens (the male parts of the plants), and one or more carpels (the female parts). In most flowers, the petals are arranged around the reproductive organs. Before a plant blooms, it produces a bud, which eventually develops into a flower. It grows from the receptacle, which is the extended stalk tip. The buds are surrounded by the leaf-like sepals.

A flower's male reproductive parts are stamens. A stamen is made of an anther, a pod-like structure which contains pollen sacks, at the end of a stalk called a filament. When an anther opens, it releases grains of pollen, male reproductive cells. A female's reproductive part is the carpel or pistil. It is made up of the stigma, the top part, which has a sticky surface for pollen to stick to, the style, and the ovaries, each of which holds one or more tiny eggs. The tiny eggs are the female reproductive cells, which develop into seeds after they are fertilized.

Some flowers, like buttercups, have several carpels, while others, like poppies, have only one. Flowers that have male and female parts are described as hermaphrodite. Some plants have two types of flowers - pistillate flowers, which are female, and staminate flowers, which are male. These are called monoecious plants. Other plants, like holly, have only male or female flowers on them and require another plant for fertilization. These are dioecious plants.

Death in YOUR Garden!!!!

If you don't look at the flowers and plants in your yard a little differently after you read this, let me know. Just wonder about how many of your favorite flowers are fatally poisonous... I strongly advise you don't decide to find out how accurate this post is by locating these plants and testing them. I would hate to hear that one of my readers had to visit the emergency room.

Oleander

Nerium oleander

Evergreen which grows from two to six feet high, with large clusters of red, pinkish or white flowers. This plant is extremely poisonous. Even the smoke from burning it is toxic. A single leaf can kill a human. It grows native in the Mediterranean region to Japan. It is often grown as a houseplant or patio tree in more temperate areas of North America.

Sweet pea



Lathyrus odoratus and other related species

Climbing vine with clustered, fragrant flowers in a variety of colors. Grows to 1-2 meters (about six feet six inches). If eaten in large quantities, it can be deadly. It grows in many gardens across North America.

Nutmeg


Myristica fragrans

Brown, spicy seed or brown powder. Harmless in small amounts, but more than 10 grams or 0.4 oz can cause acute poisoning or death.

Purple foxglove

Digitalis purpurea

Biennial with tall flowering stalks. Has such nicknames as witch's gloves and dead man's bells. A nibble of a leaf on an upper stalk is enough to possibly cause death. However, it is also used to treat the heart.

Daphnes


Daphne mezereum

Deciduous shrub with purple or white flowers appearing in the spring. Scarlet or occasionally yellow berry-like fruits. The berries may be fatally poisonous, even if only a few are consumed.

Herbs

Pennyroyal

A plant from the mint family. A small branched annual, grows from six to eight inches high. Smells similar to spearmint when crushed and is a popular tea. The essential oil is used in aromatherapy - never drink the oil. Even when taken in small doses, it results in death. An infusion, or tea, is safe to drink. The tea helps cure headaches, colds, fever, and nausea. It also settles the stomach. When the leaves are crushed and rubbed onto the skin, they repel insects.

Yarrow

Grows 10 to 20 inches high. Blooms in summer. The flowers resemble tiny daisies and are usually white, although some are pink or red. Legend has it that it is named after Achilles, the greatest warrior of all time in Greek mythology. He is said to have used it to treat the wounds of his men. Is a very useful plant. Can be used to treat colds, flu, chicken pox, and cramps. Also is good for treating wounds.

Camomile

Resembles a daisy. Is a popular tea. Is good for the digestive system. Recommended for allergenic reactions. Aids the digestive system. Can be used to treat colds, upset stomachs, bruises, rashes, and fevers.

Peppermint

Makes popular teas and is commonly used for flavoring. Very good for treating headaches. Has a calming effect. Good for treating nausea, colds, fevers, influenza, colic, and vomiting.