If you live in North America, odds are you've seen, or felt, the most annoying plant of them all: poison ivy.
While we're all aware of the horribly itchy aftermath of coming into contact with this plant, there are many other plants, creatures, fungi, and berries within our borders that can cause pain, suffering, or even in some cases death.
While this should not be considered a comprehensive guide on everything out there, it's a good idea to warn your children to avoid eating anything from the great outdoors that looks even slightly odd. If there is any doubt, it's best to avoid it!
Especially with summer vacation just getting going, your kids will be spending a lot more time outside. If you think your child may have eaten one of these plants, it's best to be safe rather than sorry. Call poison control at 1-800-222-1222 and explain the situation.
There are plenty of plants growing in the outdoors that could be harmful to your dog, too. A thick underbrush or berry that looks harmless could turn out to be anything but; and, when you look a little closer, it turns out you saved your puppy because you're so well-informed!
Take a look at some of the photos below. Do you know what poison ivy looks like? What's the worst story about poison ivy you've got? Let us know in the comments below!
And please SHARE these photos with your dog-loving and parent friends!
1. Holly Berries: Can cause vomiting. They are especially dangerous when children, who are attracted to the bright, "cherry-like" berries, eat them in large quantities. Ingestion of over 20 berries could be fatal to children.
If you think your child has consumed anything from this plant remove any plant material still in their mouths and give a small amount of water or milk to drink. Then, call Poison Control immediately at 1-800-222-1222. Do not wait to see if the person gets sick!
2. Morning Glory: The seeds from these beautiful flower can cause drug-like hallucinations.
Causing an LSD-like hallucination trip, eating these seeds will be a pretty startling experience. Usually the only solution to this problem is just to wait it out. Back in the ’60s a young man “freaked out,” and accidentally killed himself due to the horrifying nature of his hallucinations caused by this flower.
3. Pokeweed: Some people cook this "poke" and eat it happily. But if you eat it right off the branch, your children run the risk of getting poisoned.
The whole plant gets more and more toxic through the year. This very poisonous purple-red fruit fools a lot of people into accidentally eating it every year. Considered a pest species by most farmers, your best bet is to just avoid it as much as possible!
4. Azalea: While beautiful to look at, consuming this pretty flower could have terrible consequences for your pet.
For dogs, horses, goats and sheep, eating just a few flowers could result in the worst and cause pain, weakness, stupor, paralysis, and even death. If you have this plant in your backyard and your dog suddenly begins to seem sick, keep in mind that they could have possibly consumed it when you take your pooch to the vet!
5. Hemlock: This umbrella-shaped plant is famous for its deadly poison.
The only real solution after ingesting this deadly plant is going to the hospital. Causing horrible pains in the stomach, as well as vomiting and diarrhea, this is not a plant you want anyone you love to get near to. With such deadly results, this plant is world-famous for a reason.
6. Tomato Plant: While not deadly, this plant can cause severe discomfort for your favorite pet.
The tomato plant is known for causing hyper-salivation, drowsiness, depression, confusion, and weakness; if you're someone that loves to garden, and you've got a pet that might love to eat this juicy red ball, it's best to find a way to keep the two separate!
7. Nerium/Oleander: Can cause cats, dogs, and even horses to have a number of problems including profuse sweating, tremors, and even cardiac failure.
Click the NEXT page for the most common culprits of all!
8. Poison Ivy: Itchy and annoying, this plant causes a painful rash to most people unlucky enough to touch it.
Just remember: "Leaves of three, let them be!" If your child or dog has a severe allergic reaction such as trouble breathing, or if their eyelids have swelled shut, go to the hospital immediately. If it's something less serious, then it is just a matter of time and avoiding the itch! Clean your child's skin right away and rinse often. Use a brush to clean under their nails, and wash any clothing that may have come into contact with the ivy.
9. Poison Oak: Often showing up at the bases of many tree trunks, this plant can easily be touched by a child playing near trees.
The brightly colored leaves in this photo are the culprit. Most commonly found in deciduous forests, this shrub usually comes as a treelike vine appearing in dense thickets hiding in shaded areas. Similar to poison ivy, if your child or pet has touched this plant they're in for some annoying pain for the next 2 weeks or even longer. If it's not an emergency, just make sure they avoid irritating the inflammation by constant itching.
10. Death Cap Mushroom: Incredibly poisonous for one shocking reason.
Symptoms of eating this mushroom don't show for about a whole day, thus letting the poison become fully absorbed. The initial symptoms seem a lot like the flu, but eventually become more and more severe. If you suspect your child of having eaten this deadly mushroom take them to the hospital immediately. And make sure to tell your child not to eat any wild mushrooms even if they think its safe or if their friends say its safe!
11. Lemons: While it may seem harmless, make sure your dog doesn't get the chance to try this sour fruit!
According to the ASPCA, lemons and limes are toxic to dogs as well as cats. Ingesting these acidic fruits can really hurt our furry friends, so make sure to avoid feeding them this at all costs!
12. Milkweed: This plant is the reason the beautiful Monarch Butterfly has managed to survive, but be safe about it!
This poisonous plant is what makes the Monarch deadly to predators. But be aware that it can be deadly to dogs and cats. Causing difficulty breathing, kidney failure, coma, and even death, this is a beautiful plant, but be wary of what it can do to our furry friends!
13. Blue-Green Algae: Floating in a nearby swamp, lake, or river, this green goo can kill in minutes.
While your child will be smart enough not to consume this green goo, your dog might easily be hurt from its terrible poison. This strain of algae can cause death within minutes, whether your dog drinks the water or licks its contaminated fur. If the water appears green, and has a thick "pea soup" like feel to it, it is best to avoid it at all costs!
14. Lilies: Can be incredibly deadly if your cat swallows even a tiny leaf.
While beautiful to behold, if you have a pet cat you might want to be aware of the possible danger of having this plant. While not deadly to dogs, this plant can result in kidney failure for your feline friend!
As summer rolls around, it is much smarter to be safe rather than finding yourself in an emergency and driving to the hospital or vet with a hurt child or beloved pet. Make sure to warn your children of the dangers out there, while still letting them have fun during their vacation. And if you have a pet, just make sure to keep them safe!
Please SHARE this important information with everyone you know! You never know when this could very easily save a life!
