Cicuta Douglasii: Western Water Hemlock
The toxins are concentrated in the chambered rootstock but also occur in the leaves and stems as well. A consumption of 0.1% of body weight of the green material (leaves and stems) is lethal, however, the oil in a single bulb is enough to kill a 1600 pound cow. This plant may sometimes be confused with parsnip.
Aconitum: Wolf’s Bane
Aconitum is also known as: “the queen of poisons”, aconite, monkshood, wolf’s bane, leopard’s bane, women’s bane, devil’s helmet, blue rocket, tiger’s bane, and dog’s bane. Ingestion of even a small amount results in severe gastrointestinal upset and can result in: slowing of the heart rate, death, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, a sensation of burning, tingling, numbness in the mouth and face, and of burning in the abdomen, motor weakness, hypotension, sinusbradycardia, ventricular arrhythmia, sweating, dizziness, difficulty in breathing, headache, and confusion. Symptoms may appear almost immediately, usually not later than one hour, and with large doses – death is almost instantaneous. Death usually occurs within two to six hours in fatal poisoning (20 to 40 mL of tincture). Poisoning may also occur following picking the leaves without wearing gloves; the toxin is absorbed easily through the skin. In this event, there will be no gastrointestinal effects. Tingling will start at the point of absorption and extend up the arm to the shoulder, after which the heart will start to be affected.
Brugmansia: Angel Trumpet
All parts of Brugmansia are poisonous, with the seeds and leaves being especially dangerous. Effects can include: paralysis, confusion, tachycardia, dry mouth, diarrhea, migraine headaches, hallucinations, mydriasis, rapid onset cycloplegia, and death.
Nerium oleander: Oleander
All parts of the plant are toxic. It can be grown as a shrub or a tree. Oleander is one of the most poisonous common-grown garden plants. Effects can include: nausea, vomiting, excess salivation, abdominal pain, diarrhea, irregular heart rate, extremities may become pale and cold due to poor or irregular circulation, it can effect the central nervous system and cause drowsiness, tremors or shaking of the muscles, seizures, collapse, and even coma that can lead to death. Oleander sap can cause skin irritations, severe eye inflammation and irritation, and allergic reactions like dermatitis.