Top 10 Most Poisonous Plants in the world

There are hundreds of poisonous plants in the world, and some of them are deadly. Plants cannot move to escape their predators, so over millions of years, plants have developed amazing ways to protecting themselves from herbivorous animals. Some plants have physical defenses, but the most common protection is chemical.

Below is Top 10 List of plants containing toxics that may pose a serious risk of illness or death to humans.

10. Jimson weed ( Datura stramonium )

By Nuuuuuuuuuuul

Also known by the common names datura, thornapple, moon flower,and Spanish name Toloache, Datura plant has been used widely as herbal medicine to relieve asthma symptoms and as painkiller during surgery or bonesetting. This plant also have a powerful hallucinogen and deliriant. However, Datura plants contain dangerous levels of the tropane alkaloids atropine, hyoscyamine and scopolamine which are fatally toxic in only slightly higher amounts than the allowed medicinal dosage. Careless use of above mentioned chemicals often results in hospitalizations and deaths.

9. Oleander ( Nerium oleander )

By Heather Cowper

Oleander is one of the most poisonous of commonly grown garden plants. This plant can grows well in warm subtropical regions and extensively used as an ornamental plant in landscapes, in parks, and along roadsides. All parts of Oleander are toxic, but especially the leaves and woody stems. They contain cardiac glycosides, which have therapeutic applications but can cause severe digestive upset, heart trouble and contact dermatitis when ingested. Furthermore the smoke of burning oleander can cause reactions in human lungs, and can be fatal.

8. Monkshood ( Aconitum )

By Rüdiger Kratz

Monkshood also known as "the queen of poisons", aconite, wolf's bane, leopard's bane, women's bane, devil's helmet or blue rocket. The plant contains very large quantities of a poison called alkaloid aconite, which used by the Ainu in Japan and Chinese peoples for hunting and for warfare. The symtoms when humans poisoined with aconite may appear immediately not longer than one hour with initial signs are gastrointestinal including nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea and instant death may occurs within 2 - 6 hours in fatal poisoning.

7. White Snakeroot ( Ageratina altissima )

By H. Zell

White snakeroot, commonly known as richweed or white sanicle, is a poisonous perennial herb native to eastern North America. The toxic principle of this plant is tremotol which can absorbed into milk and meat of cattle if consumed. When humans consumed the beef or drink the milk from these contaminated cows, the toxin then pass on to humans body and causes milk sickness, which is fatal. Notably, milk sickness was claimed to be the cause of death of Nancy Hanks Lincoln, who was the mother of Abraham Lincoln.

6. Angel's Trumpet ( Brugmansia )

By 4028mdk09

Contrary to its name, this plant which looks beautiful when blooming was very toxic and dangerous. All parts of this plant is containing toxic Scopolamine (hyoscine), hyoscyamine, and some tropane alkaloids. The most dangerous part of the brugmansia are seeds and leaves. Effects of ingestion can include paralysis of smooth muscles, confusion, tachycardia, dry mouth, diarrhea, migraine, visual and auditory hallucinations, mydriasis, rapid onset cycloplegia, and death.

5. Water hemlock ( Cicuta sp )

By Fritzflohrreynolds

Water hemlock, or poison parsnip, is a group of highly poisonous plants that grows in North America. The plants contains the toxin cicutoxin, which wreaks havoc on the central nervous system, causing grand mal seizures-which include loss of consciousness and violent muscle contractions-and eventually death, if ingested. This poison is found in all parts of the plant but is most concentrated in the roots, which is most potent in the spring. Death is usually caused by respiratory failure or ventricular fibrillation and can occur just a few hours after ingestion.

4. Rosary Pea ( Abrus precatorius )

By பரிதிமதி

Abrus precatorius, known commonly as jequirity, Crab's eye, rosary pea, precatory pea or bean, John Crow Bead, Indian licorice,Akar Saga, gidee gidee and Jumbie bead. The plant is native to Indonesia, but grows in most parts of the world because they are very easy to grow and somehow invasive. The seeds is popular because it used as beads in jewelry and in percussion instruments. Abrus precatorius seeds contains The toxin abrin which is about 75 times stronger than ricin, symptoms of poisoning include nausea, vomiting, convulsions, liver failure, and death, usually after several days. Taking a single seed can kill an adult human. The seeds dust is also very dangerous if inhaled and pinpricks can be fatal.

3. Belladonna ( Atropa belladonna )

By peganum

Commonly known as deadly nightshade, devil's cherry and dwale. The foliage and berries of this plant are extremely toxic, it containing tropane alkaloids which include scopolamine also hyoscyamine, this kind of toxics can cause a bizarre delirium and hallucinations. Another symptoms of Belladonna poisoning include loss of voice, dry mouth, headaches, breathing difficulty and convulsions. Belladonna is one of the most toxic plants found in the Eastern Hemisphere. The whole Belladonna plant contain tropane alkaloids. The berries pose the greatest risk to children because they looks colorful and attractive, furthermore it also have a sweet taste. The consumption of two to five berries by adult person could be fatal. The root of Belladonna is the most toxic part although the risk is varies from one to another Belladonna species. Only need one leaf to kill an adult person.

2. Castor oil plant ( Ricinus Communis )

By Alvesgaspar

Also known as Palma Christi, Castor oil plants can be found anywhere all over the world, the plant is the current holder of the Guinness Book of World Records for world's most poisonous plant. The toxicity of raw castor beans is due to the presence of ricin, a highly toxic, naturally occurring lectin (a carbohydrate-binding protein) produced in the seeds of the castor oil plant. If ricin is ingested, symptoms may be delayed by up to 36 hours but commonly begin within 2–4 hours, may cause a burning sensation in mouth and throat, abdominal pain, purging and bloody diarrhea. Within several days there is severe dehydration, a drop in blood pressure and a decrease in urine. Unless treated, death can be expected to occur within 3–5 days.

1. Suicide Tree ( Cerbera odollam )

By Blok888

Also known as Pong-pong and Othalanga, the seeds of the Suicide Tree contain a toxin called cerberin, a potent compound capable of disrupting calcium ion channels in heart muscle, which can lead to an irregular heart beat that is often fatal if the toxin is ingested in high enough quantities. The plant has been referred to by some as the perfect murder weapon. Getting someone to ingest the cerberin in the suicide tree is purportedly pretty easy to do, as its flavor can be disguised by spices when served in food. The toxin is also notorious for being overlooked as a cause of death in autopsies. A team from Laboratory of Analytical Toxicology in La Voulte-sur-Rhône, France, documented more than 500 cases of fatal Cerbera poisoning between 1989 and 1999 in Kerala, India. They said "To the best of our knowledge, no plant in the world is responsible for as many deaths by suicide as the odollam tree.

Top 10 Most Venomous Animals in the world

Venom is the toxin used by venomous animals. Venom is injected into victims by means of a bite, sting or other sharp body feature. Most of the world’s most poisonous animals are either invertebrates, amphibians, or undersea inhabitants. Although most venomous animals won't attack people unless provoked,but the sting, bite, or puncture from one of these animals definitely can kill.

Here is a listing of some of The Most Venomous Animals in this world.

10. Belcher Sea Snake (Hydrophis belcheri)

PD

The Faint-banded ocean snake is the most venomous of all of the sea snakes in the entire world, and by some regarded to be one of the most poisonous creature in this planet. This kind of snake is usually found in the Indian Ocean, off the coasts of the Philippines, New Guinea, and Thailand. The toxicity of this snake’s poisonous substance is so strong that it may kill an individual under 30 minutes. The great news about this snake is that it has a friendly temperament and would normally have to be subjected to severe mistreatment before biting.

9. Marbled Cone Snail (Conus Marmoreus)

PD

This particular, small, gorgeous looking Marbled Cone Snail could be deadlier then any other creatures on this listing. Single drop of its Conotoxin can be so powerful it can putting to death more than twenty humans. If you ever happen to be in warm salt water surround and notice it, do not try to pick it up. Of course, the true function of its poison is to catch its target. Usually, one may not even realize they are handling a Cone Snail because the first thing you see is their beautiful shell. What happens next depends on the Cone Snail. Each one has a different poison. The deadly ones have a Neurotoxin that will temporarily paralyze you. Then your body will start to shut down. There is no cure for what the Cone Snail puts in your system. Sometimes full blood transfusions are necessary to get rid of the poison.

8. King Cobra (Ophiophagus sp)

By Michael Allen Smith

The king cobra is the planet’s greatest poisonous snake which could grow up to 5.6 meters in length. It has a fearsome reputation in its range, although it typically avoids confrontation with humans if possible. King Cobra, which preys chiefly on other snakes, is found predominantly in forests from India through Southeast Asia. A single bite from this venomous snake can simply kill a human. That snake is even able to kill a full-grown Asian Elephant in couple of hours. Ohanin, a protein component of the venom, causes hypolocomotion and hyperalgesia in mammals. Other components have cardiotoxic, cytotoxic and neurotoxic effects. Proper and immediate treatments are critical to avoid the occurrence of death. Successful precedents include a client who recovered and was discharged in 10 days after being treated by accurate anti-venom and inpatient care.

7. Death Stalker Scorpion (Leiurus quinquestriatus)

By Alastair Rae

Contrary to the popular belief, nearly all of the scorpions are relatively non-toxic to mankind as stings make only local effects. Even so, the Death Starker Scorpion is extremely dangerous kind because its poison is a mighty toxic combination of neurotoxins that leads to an intense and unbearable hurt, then fever, followed by coma, convulsions, paralysis and death. You'll usually find this animal in Israel, but it has been found in other areas, too.

6. Stonefish (Synanceia sp)

By walknboston

Stonefish perhaps the most poisonous fish on earth. Its venom leads to such a serious pain that the victims of its bite want the affected limb to be amputated. It is explained as the worst pain known to man. It is attended with potential shock, paralysis, and death. If you’re not given medical care within a pair of hours you will be dead. Recommended treatments include the application of heat to the affected area and antivenom. Using hot water at a temperature no lower than 45 °C (113 °F), applied to the injured area has been found to destroy stonefish venom, and causes minimal discomfort to the victim. For more extreme cases, antivenom is to be used. Vinegar can be lessen the pain.

5. Blue-Ringed Octopus (Hapalochlaena sp)

By Angell Williams

The Blue-Ringed Octopus is a gorgeous animal. The average sea diver that looks at these creatures is immediately attracted by the beauty. However, you'll be in trouble if you don't keep a safe distance. Speedy like a shark and littler than egg, you possibly will not even be aware that you have been stung by this animal till you start feeling the effects, that include numbness, breathing difficulties, and cardiac arrest. There aren’t any cures for this toxin, so your only hope is pressure on the injure, coupled with rescue breathing. The average person dies from cardiac arrest or a lack of oxygen to the brain, causing suffocation. If CPR is performed immediately, you have a better chance.

4. Brazilian Wandering Spider (Ctenidae sp)

By Techuser

The Brazilian Wandering Spider or banana tree spider shows up in the guinness book, year 2007 for the most poisonous responsible for almost all human deaths. Particularly dangerous because of its roving nature, this spider from tropical central and South America has ‘fangs’ – which are actually modified legs covered in red fur – that inject venom into their victims. Once injected, the victim may experience muscular paralysis leading to respiratory or cardiac arrest. As an unexpected side effect, the toxin also causes nitric oxide release, which can cause priapism – an involuntary erection “so hard you can charge it through a brick wall. They often times hide during daylight in highly populated locations inside homes, dress, footwear, and vehicles.

3. Poison Dart Frog (Phyllobates terribilis)

By Marcel Burkhard

The Poison Dart Frogs are known for their beautiful colors. The Dart Frogs are some of the most beautiful creatures you will ever see, and it's a shame that they are so pretty. People would love to handle them, but should not without proper safety gear. These frogs will not really inject their toxic through their mouth; they are doing it through their skin. Their secretions are also poisonous. This is how they keep themselves from becoming prey. Usually, poison dart frogs won't kill you from a simple touch right away, but you can feel really sick. The poison will mostly cause sickness because it's technically not going into the blood when you touch it, but it is going into the skin. Your skin acts as a filter between the poison and blood. So obviously some does get in, but not to an extreme level like with an open cut. Some with minor poison won't kill you even if it's shot directly into your bloodstream. Zoos keep these little guys in their own special cages. If animal experts won't touch them, neither should you. The color is beautiful, but that's your best warning. Phyllobates terribilis also known as Golden dart frog is considered to be the most toxic among all dart frog species.

2. Inland Taipan Snake (Oxyuranus Microlepidotus)

By XLerate

Aa a native Australian species found in remote, arid regions in the red centre, the inland taipan snake (Oxyuranus Microlepidotus) from northern Australian coasts, is one of the world’s most venomous snake. The bite of the coastal taipan contains 50 times the median lethal dose as the king cobra and about 100 times as many as the eastern diamond rattlesnake. It is a mixture of procoagulants (agents that promote blood clotting), and highly potent neurotoxins – effectively poison for nerve cells – which form the “killing molecules”. The neurotoxins disrupt communication between nerves, causing paralysis and subsequent death. Fortunately, there are actually no documented deaths due to this snake, but that does not mean it would not happen.

1. The Box Jellyfish (Chironex fleckeri)

By Guido

The Box Jellyfish is the world's most poisonous creature and is responsible for more than five thousand human deaths over the past five decades. These deadly animals reside mainly in the waters close Australia, Papua New Guinea, Thailand, Indonesia, the Philippines and Vietnam. While a bite could be highly terrible, that need to be the least of your problems as the poisons cause shock and coronary failure, which both lead to death. Each jellyfish has about 60 tentacles, each with up to 50 million nematocysts, specialised stinging cells that release like a spring when brushed. The venom leads to skin necrosis and pain so severe it can send you into shock. Death is caused by cardiovascular collapse. The amount of venom in one animal is said to be enough to kill 60 adult humans.