Not Just For Decoration Trivia Quiz

Answer: Poison hemlock

Poison hemlock thrives in damp ground and thus can often be found near streams or near roads. Although it is native to Europe it has found its way all around the world, and every part of it is toxic to humans to some degree when ingested. It should not be mistaken for water hemlock (cicuta), which, although similarly named, has different toxic components.

Poison hemlock's main chemical, coniine, causes paralysis by acting on the brain and blocking neural pathways which trigger muscular movements. This can eventually affect and block the respiratory system and cardiac systems and become fatal - if we cannot breathe or circulate blood, we will die. However, if caught reasonably quickly, it can be treated by flushing the gastrointestinal system and administering activated charcoal.

Socrates' famous poisoning is a well-known story. It is said that he, as a moral and social critic, disagreed with the Athenian political system at the time. He believed he was wiser than the general Athenian populace because he knew he was ignorant, and claimed they did not, which inspired their ire. For this and his beliefs on religion, he was tried and sentenced to death by majority vote. Although it is believed he could have escaped death, as his comrades could have broken him free, it is said he embraced it, freely drinking the concoction of poison hemlock that gradually numbed his body and sent him to the grave.

Answer: Oleander

Despite its toxicity, this plant was, perhaps surprisingly, reported to be the cause of 'only' three human deaths between 1985 and 2005. Nonetheless, it can cause unpleasant symptoms such as vomiting, circulatory problems and irregular heartbeat. Plus, it is reported to have an acrid, unappealing taste, so it is not a gastronomic pleasure to consume.

However, it's not all bad news - the plant has been considered for use in treating certain cardiac conditions such as atrial fibrillation, and it has been used as a folk medicine for many years.

In addition, oleander can make an aesthetically appealing ornamental shrub, as long as it is handled with care.

Answer: Ricin

The seeds of the castor oil plant contain most of its poison; however, it is also this seed which contains its highly useful oil. Unfortunately, compounds on the plant's surface can cause permanent nerve damage to the workers who handle these plants. One means of extracting the oil involves hulling (removing the outer covering) of the seeds, cooking them (which denatures the ricin) and then crushing and pressing them under high pressure and often low temperature. After this process, it can be utilised commercially.

Ricin is highly toxic, but most humans will not chew their way into consuming the majority of the ricin, because the shells of the seeds are hard and indigestible, and it is those seeds which contain most of the poison. Ricin's toxicity comes from the fact that it inhibits protein synthesis. As proteins are involved in cell growth and repair, such inhibition kills cells. Whilst, for the above reasons, ricin is rarely fatal when ingested as a castor oil seed, it can still cause damage to the stomach and intestines, and can cause permanent damage to these and other organs. No antidote was found for ricin in the 20th century, meaning that simply avoiding it was the best treatment. After all, prevention is often better than the cure.

Answer: Dilating the pupils of the eyes

Belladonna, from Italian, literally means 'beautiful lady' and this is no coincidence as it ties in with its former use as a cosmetic, especially for dilating the pupils of the eyes, although it would also make the face redder as well when topically applied. Although it may seem odd that people would use a poisonous plant as a cosmetic... times haven't necessarily changed, as belladonna has also remained in use as a homeopathic medicine.

Belladonna has a potpourri of nasty effects, including blurring the eyes, nausea, increased heart rate, agitation, and drowsiness. Although its berries are poisonous, its leaves and roots, to humans at least, are potentially more dangerous to ingest, as consuming just one leaf can be fatal. However, its purple bell-shaped flowers provide a suitable warning to humans to keep a wide berth from this 'femme fatale' (of sorts).

Answer: Strychnos nux-vomica

Strychnine ingestion causes dramatic symptoms, especially convulsions and spasms, making it a popular choice for fictional contrivances. Strychnine makes it more difficult for the body to inhibit motor neurons, which leads to constant muscle contractions. This can eventually lead to asphyxiation and death. The strychnine tree is innocuous looking, and in its green to orange fruits lie the seeds which contain strychnine (and brucine, a less prominent poison).

"The Mysterious Affair at Styles" was Agatha Christie's first novel published in 1920, and featured detective Hercule Poirot, protagonist of a legacy of detective novels. With many twists and turns, strychnine was used to poison a wealthy lady named Emily Cavendish.

Answer: Africa

The appearance of the blood lily's flower looks a bit like a larger version of the dandelion seed pod from a distance, and it is vividly red so stands out from the crowd. It is native to Africa, particularly South Africa, and although it can and has been cultivated in many locations, it does not withstand cold particularly well so needs care in colder countries if it is to survive. Because of its striking appearance, it is a popular choice to display, and although it is toxic, it generally only causes problems when eaten.

Answer: Aconitum

The aconitum plants tend to be mountainous, and are often comprised of a long tall stem with clusters of flowers growing upon it. Although one of the nicknames is 'blue' rocket, the flowers can actually be blue, yellow, white, purple or pink, and it is these flowers that make identification from a distance easier.

This is good, because its toxins can cause death quite rapidly. If ingested in a great enough quantity, it can kill almost instantaneously. The toxins pass through the skin quickly, making the requirement to handle the plants with care tantamount to survival. Although tingling, vomiting, numbing and burning sensations are common when this particularly unpleasant plant is ingested, it is mainly through cardiovascular dysfunctions that it claims most of its lives.

Answer: No

Angel's trumpet may have been so named for the shape of its flowers, or the notion that, due to their toxicity, they herald death. Datura and Brugmansia members have some differences and similarities. The most obvious characteristic that they have in common is the visually memorable 'trumpet' shape their flowers take. In addition, both of them come from the same family as Deadly Nightshade; the Solanaceae family. Another similarity is that both of their poisons contain many tropane alkaloids: hallucinations, delirium, tachycardia and temporary amnesia are common symptoms caused by ingesting these chemicals.

In terms of differences, Datura have erect, upright flowers, whilst Brugmansia plants' flowers are pendulous and hang down. Daturas tend to be herbaceous annuals, whereas Brugmansia tends to be a woody perennial. In addition, Datura's seed pods usually have defensive spines on them, in contrast to Brugmansia's elongated pods which lack spines.

Answer: It is difficult to detect

Cerbera odollam grows mainly in India and Southern Asia, so is not located globally. In addition, cerberin is more likely to disrupt the heartbeat than numb the body. This occurs as calcium ion channels are disrupted, which causes a buildup of calcium in the heart's muscles. In turn, this makes the heart contract more frequently and more potently, which can eventually lead to death.

It is difficult to detect, both in autopsies and in cooking, as it can be easily masked with other flavours and chemicals. This is the quality that made it a popular choice for suicide, giving it the nickname of 'the suicide tree'.
Although it is named after Cerberus, who guards the gates to the underworld in Greek mythology, that alone is not really an objective reason as to why it would be used to kill.

Answer: Abrin

Abrin and ricin are similar in that they both inhibit protein synthesis. Abrin's symptoms will appear between six hours and three days, and can be fatal if vital organs are disabled. Treatments for abrin poisoning usually entail attempting to remove it from the system.

Abrin is found in the rosary pea's seed, whereas ricin is found in the castor bean plant. Although abrin is considered as deadly - if not more deadly - than ricin, it is very hard to come in contact with by accident. Whilst the rosary pea's seeds do not have as much practical utility as castor oil, they have been used in native jewelry and also as beads in percussion instruments. Jewelry with rosary pea seeds have been been used as a symbol of love, or as protection against evil spirits.