Four Deadly Flower Varieties

Carnations and cornflowers, heliotropes and hollyhock, roses and rocket larkspur. Do you know which are poisonous?

While people all over the world have been cultivating flowers in pots, gardens and vases for centuries, few are ever aware of the many dangers that some flower species present. Nature is an ever-continuing competition between predator and prey, and in the world of botany, insect threats are met with the production of many kinds of alkaloids and other substances that can also kill the unsuspecting gardener.

To begin with, Ricinus communis, commonly called the Castor Bean, is infamous for being the source of one of the most toxic substances known to man: Ricin. Used in 1978 to kill Bulgarian dissident Georgi Markov, ricin is twice as deadly as King Cobra venom and a lethal dose averages one five-thousandth of a gram. The blooms of this plant grow atop stalks four or five feet high, resulting in small, attractive red flowers.

Secondly, Foxglove (Digitalis purpurea) grows one to three feet tall and has varying colors of flowers, including cream, peach, pink, and purple. Small dots give the appearance of "freckles" on the flower petals. All parts of the plant are poisonous to humans and pets, causing nausea and vomiting, abdominal pain, diarrhea, headaches, hallucinations, and delirium. It is often confused with the harmless comfrey plant (Symphytum asperum), which is usually brewed into a tea.

Spikes of beautiful colored flowers mark another culprit, Lupine (Lupinus polyphyllus). All parts of the plant are poisonous, including the flowers, which may be red, white, pink, purple, peach, or yellow. Lupine is more toxic to sheep and horses than to humans but is by no means safe. Dangerous alkaloids are concentrated in the seeds and young plants.

Finally, Larkspur (Delphinium ajacis), a native to North America and mountaintop Africa, contains an alkaloid called delphinidin, which is powerful enough to poison cattle. Ingestion causes vomiting in small amounts and death in larger doses. The species is easily recognized with its bluish-purple flowers which have five petals. Larkspur grows in small thickets up to seven feet tall.

It is recommended that plants which may contain toxic substances be kept out of the reach of children and in areas where pets cannot generally access, to prevent ingestion. Through careful research and planting, flowers which may be dangerous to humans or pets can still be enjoyed for their beauty.