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Such plants are more dangerous as they age and increase in size. Other plants have sharp thorns or irritating hairs that damage skin causing pain and leading to infection. Poisons affecting the eyes may begin with irritation, pain and even blindness. Some plant poisons can be inhaled from smoke or pollen and spores. A few can cause serious purging, delirium and death. Some can cause mild to serious skin irritation causing itching or blistering if handled, but most are dangerous only if ingested or swallowed causing symptoms similar to food poisoning. Many plants have oils, latex or sap that contains poisons.

The first to be isolated was morphine, found over 150 years ago in the Opium Poppy ( Papaver somniferum). They do not seem to have any important metabolic function but an ecological function, being toxic to browsing, grazing animals and leaf eating insects. There have been approximately 3000 found in some 4000 plant species, often synthesised in leaves. Many plants contain alkaloids – organic compounds containing nitrogen. While these poisonous qualities are good for plants, they are not so good for us if we are not aware of which plants are dangerous and know how to handle them appropriately. This protects the plant and allows normal growth, flowering and seeding to occur so that it can reproduce itself. This association has resulted in plants developing defences for their survival that include poisons in plant parts that help resist damage from creatures that would feed on them. Plants evolved over millions of years with other living creatures. Do you like to spend time in the garden with your children or with pets? Do you like have vases with flowers to enliven your living areas? If so, it is wise to be sure that you know which plants could be dangerous.