22 Poisonous Plants in Arizona

Arizona is home to a hot and dry climate, which is generally a place where poisonous plants can thrive. These are the plants to look out for in the state.

Ingestion of a plant is the most common cause of illness and plant poisoning in humans and animals. It is common for youngsters to consume a toxic plant accidentally. In certain cases, people deliberately consume a plant to gain its medical benefits.

There are, however, certain plants that might cause severe damage even if ingested in modest amounts. A few tiny seeds of Jimson weed, or a small amount of castor bean, for example, can cause severe poisoning and even death if ingested or consumed in small amounts.

A tiny amount of water hemlock root can cause severe convulsions and even death if consumed accidentally. Similar to oleander, even modest doses of hemlock can lead to an irregular and fast-paced heartbeat. Most people do not consume the plants they come across daily. Children and pets, on the other hand, may consume them accidentally. Each person has a different tolerance for these toxic substances.

A person’s age, health, weight, the number of plants they consume, and the form of consumption – all play a role in deciding the severity of their poisoning symptoms.

1. Oleander (Nerium Oleander)

Oleander is an exceedingly dangerous plant found in the wild. Consumption of dry oleander leaves can be deadly if they comprise 0.005% of the bodyweight of an animal. According to recent investigations, nearly three leaves of oleander can be dangerous for crossbred heifers and horses. Researchers analyzed that the average dangerous dosage of the leaves of this plant is around 26 mg per kilogram of its body weight.

2. Sago Palm (Cycas Revoluta)

This plant is exceedingly toxic to people and animals. Pets are particularly vulnerable since the plant appears to be highly appealing. After consumption, symptoms such as vomiting, nausea, diarrhea, exhaustion, and seizures may appear within 12 hours, followed by liver failure, ascites, cirrhosis, and icterus (yellowing of the skin). The possible symptoms are bleeding from the nose and mouth (epistaxis), hematochezia, hemorrhoids (blood in the joints), and bloody bowel movements.

3. Castor Bean (Ricinus Communis)

According to the World Health Organization, the Ricinus communis is the most toxic plant on the planet for humans. Raw castor beans are poisonous because they contain the naturally occurring lectin ricin (a carbohydrate-binding protein). Ricin is a 60–65 kDa globular, glycosylated heterodimer. For example, both the Ricin A chain and the Ricin B chain (RTB) have a molecular weight of roughly 32 or 34 kDa. There are 267 amino acids in RTA.

4. Jimsonweed/Devil’s Weed (Datura Stramonium)

The alkaloids atropine, hyoscyamine, and scopolamine are found in all portions of the Jimson weed plant. The nightshade family includes thorn apple, jimson weed, angel’s trumpet, and Jamestown weed. Toxic levels of jimson weed can vary significantly from year to year, from plant to plant, and even within the same plant. The seeds of this plant contain the most anticholinergic, even though the plant is hazardous to humans.

5. Water Hemlock (Cicuta)

According to the CDC, water hemlock is the most harmful plant found in North America. Only a minimal quantity of the plant’s deadly chemical is needed for cattle or people to get poisoned by it. Symptoms of poisoning appear when the body reaches a lethal level that causes grand seizures and death. This plant, also known as silverleaf nightshade or silver-leaved nightshade, is a widespread weed in western North America and South America. It is endemic to the southwestern United States.

6. Dumb Canes (dieffenbachia)

The leaf of the dumb canes plant induces a burning feeling in humans when consumed. If the plant is cultivated near children or pets, this can be hazardous for them since they become vulnerable to it. Symptoms of the consumption of this plant are usually minor and short-lived. A poisonous fluid is found in this plant’s stems, leaves, and even the roots.

7. Mormon Tea (Ephedra)

This herb treats sinus ailments like hay fever, the common cold, and sinusitis. It has been proven effective in treating bronchial asthma in clinical studies. Some sportsmen cheat on their diets and bulk up their muscles by taking this herb, which acts as an appetite suppressant for their bodies. This plant is poisonous and should only be consumed under the guidance of a medical professional.

8. Poison Hemlock (Conium Maculatum)

Conium maculatum, generally known as poison hemlock, hemlock, or wild hemlock, is a very toxic biennial herbaceous flowering plant of the carrot family Apiaceae, endemic to Europe and North Africa. Small quantities of green or dried herb can harm cattle, sheep, horses, swine, and other domestic animals. It can show symptoms within 20 minutes to three hours after consumption. The canes can stay hazardous for up to three years after the plant dies.

9. Candelabras Cactus (Euphorbia Lactea)

It is an attractive plant that thrives in a home or office. A strong irritant is present in the plant’s latex, which can irritate the eyes. Dogs have also been used in experiments involving this plant, and it resulted in severe eye abnormalities. Children should not consume this product. You may find plants of many sizes and shapes in the genus Euphorbia, which comprises many species. The pencil cactus and crown of thorns (succulents in the euphorbia family) are harmful to cats and dogs.

10. Carolina Jessamine (Gelsemium Sempervirens)

The entire plant is highly toxic. Even a tiny amount can be deadly, even if only a trace amount. Headaches, trouble swallowing, visual issues, and dizziness are only some of the poisoning symptoms. Other symptoms include seizures and breathing difficulties. The sap of this plant may induce allergic reactions in certain people. Sucking on flower nectar can harm children. Insects or illnesses do not plague Carolina jessamine.

11. Century Plant (Agave Americana)

One of the several Agave species of the asparagus family is known as a century plant. This plant is often planted as an ornamental and is a source of maguey and nectar. Even though it’s known to be dangerous, the desert agave or “century plant” (Agave americana) is a popular landscaping plant. New Mexico and Arizona Deserts are home to the imposing, spiky Agave americana.

12. Foxgloves (Digitalis)

Foxgloves, or digitalis, are a genus of roughly 20 species of perennial perennials, shrubs, and biennials. Europe, western Asia, and northern Africa are the natural habitats of digitalis. Garden plant digitalis purpurea includes digitalis and other cardiac glycosides found in foxgloves. The human heart can be affected by these substances. There have only been a few documented cases of foxglove poisoning, yet this plant is known to be toxic.

13. Lantana (Lantana Camara)

About 150 species of perennial flowering plants of the Verbenaceae family, Lantana, belong to Lantana’s genus. Native to the Americas and Africa tropics, they have been brought to several locales, including the Australian-Pacific region, where they have established a new home. This plant should be considered toxic to livestock. Several white and pink flowering types can be just as poisonous as the red ones. In most cases, lantana poisoning is caused by livestock that has never been exposed to the plant.

14. Mexican Bird of Paradise (Caesalpinia Pulcherrima)

Youngsters or animals need to be cautious while dealing with these plants. Bird of paradise plants have a low toxicity threshold. A substance known as hydrocyanic acid is found in the leaves of this plant. The tannins in the bean pods are responsible for the poisons in the beans. Tannins, which are found in many plants, serve as a defense mechanism against predators. Perhaps it’s a better idea to plant something that looks like Bird of Paradise.

15. Mistletoe (Viscum Album)

The name of the mistletoe species viscum album, sometimes known as European mistletoe, common mistletoe, or just mistletoe, belongs to the family Santalaceae. You may find it across the Middle East, Europe, and parts of Asia. Many different types of alkaloids, viscotoxins, and lectins may be found in the stems and leaves of Viscum album (often known as birdlime, or devil’s fugue). Viscotoxins and lectins have been highly harmful to animals when administered parenterally, but the alkaloids have not yet been studied.

16. Philodendron (Philodendron)

With its heart-shaped velvety green leaves infused with white veins, this philodendron is one of the most stunning and striking philodendrons (sometimes also pink or pale green instead). Philodendrons are among the most popular home plants since they are easy to care for and have a lot of foliage. However, despite their long lifespan and ease of maintenance, they contain a poison called calcium oxalate in their leaves.

17. Pothos (Epipremnum Aureum)

In the araceae family, Epipremnum aureum or pothos is endemic to the Society Islands of French Polynesia’s Mo’orea. Adults, dogs, and children should avoid handling pothos plants. Insoluble calcium oxalate crystals are found in the leaves and stems of pothos plants. The skin may be ripped, torn, and shredded by these crystal shards, which feel like shards of glass. Consider Pothos alternatives instead.

18. Silverleaf Nightshade (Solanum Elaeagnifolium)

This plant, also known as silverleaf nightshade or silver-leaved nightshade, is a widespread weed in western North America and South America. It is native to the southwestern United States. A human toddler can die from eating just two to four berries of this plant. Ten to twenty berries can kill an adult. Even if you only eat one leaf, you may fall asleep in the mud.

19. Virginia Creeper (Parthenocissus Quinquefolia)

Virginia creeper leaves do not contain urushiol, the irritant oil present on other sections of poison ivy, although the sap can irritate susceptible persons. Oxalic acid, which is only moderately harmful to people and dogs, is abundant in the berries, making them dangerous.

20. Daffodil (Narcissus)

The daffodil, also known as narcissus, has a poisonous effect on all sections of the plant. It can induce symptoms such as nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, and stomach discomfort in humans if ingested in small amounts. If you eat the bulb, your mouth and stomach will be inflamed. These signs and symptoms usually go away within a few hours or days.

21. Azaleas (Rhododendron)

Tubular or funnel-shaped Azaleas’ blooms are found in the wild. While each stem produces one bloom, the shrub grows so many stems that they look like they are covered with blossoms. At the tips of their branches, rhododendrons produce clusters of blooms in the shape of circles. Severe poisoning is rare when a little piece of azalea or rhododendron is consumed. Large quantities of the plant or honey derived from these blooming plants can induce life-threatening symptoms if ingested.

22. Tulips (Tulipa)

Tulips are perennial herbaceous that bloom in the spring. These flowers are often huge, showy, and vividly colored, typically pink, red, or yellow. The base of the tepals frequently features an interior splotch of a distinct hue. Toxic alkaloid and glycoside chemicals are concentrated in the bulb of tulip bulbs, making them dangerous. Dizziness, nausea, and stomach discomfort are possible side effects of eating tulip bulbs.