Be extra careful what you eat and what you touch. Some plants can kill you as instantly as a venomous snake can. There are thousands of poisonous plants in the world and we’re showing you 5 of the world’s deadliest plants that can kill you in a second!
1. Dieffenbachia or Dumbcane
Dieffenbachia is made up of cells containing microscopic needle-shaped crystals of calcium oxalate called raphides. When Dieffenbachia leaves are chewed, the calcium oxalate causes oral irritation, swelling and excessive drooling. Sometimes they can cause so severe irritation that the mouth, tongue and throat get immobilized, the tissues get swollen, the airways get blocked and that leads to death.
2. Abrus Precatorius or Crab’s Eye; Rosary Pea
Abrus precatorius seeds are extremely poisonous since they contain Abrin. Abrin is chemically similar to ricin and it sabotages your body’s functions at the cellular level. It inactivates ribosomes-the molecular machines in your body responsible for synthesizing proteins. Only one seed of Abrus precatorius is fatal to humans.
3. Hippomane Mancinella or Manchineel; Manzanilla de la muerte (“little apple of death”)
If you brush up against Manchineel tree, you might end up with an allergic reaction on your skin. This tree contains the powerful irritant, phorbol, one of the many toxins found in the tree’s milky sap. Ingesting a fruit from this tree can be truly fatal. It causes nausea, diarrhea, vomiting and seizures. Not to mention, the fruit of this tree is known as the little apple of death.
4. Cerbera Odollam or The Suicide Tree
The seeds of this tree contain the toxin cerberin, a compound that can disrupt calcium ion channels in the heart muscle, which leads to an irregular heartbeat. Some experts even claim that this plant is the perfect murder weapon because its flavor can be disguised by spices when served with food. A team of French forensic toxicologists explain that Cerbera odollam is used by more people to commit suicide and murder than any other plant.
5. Ricinus Communis or the Castor Oil Plant
Many people use castor oil, but what they don’t know is that castor seeds hold the Guinness Book of World Record title for the world’s most poisonous plant. Castor seeds contain one of the most toxic chemicals-ricin and ingesting 4-8 seeds can be fatal. Ingestion leads to intense abdominal pain, burning sensation in the mouth and throat, bloody diarrhea and if the patient isn’t treated in the next 3 days, the results are fatal.
Read more: 6 Poisonous Foods We All Love to Eat