Oleander (and Other Botanical Poisons) Quiz

Answer: True

Despite its strong poisonous tendencies, oleander can be found worldwide both wild and cultivated. Found on every continent except Antarctica, oleander is purposely grown in a number of cases because of its beautiful, white and pink leaves (depending on the strain).

It is, however, not safe to eat for humans and other animals alike-- it affects the heart in a severely dangerous manner and, if anyone who ingests it survives or receives treatment, their body is in for a world of hurt. Even handling this plant on sensitive skin can cause severe irritation.

Answer: Rhubarb

Sure-- the stalks are popularly grown and bought for dishes around the world but the leaves which grow above are toxic. Perhaps it won't kill you on a minor dose, but the chemicals naturally grown out the top of the plant are enough to make you feel pretty horrible. Overindulgence in this otherwise uneaten leaf will lead to death, as would overeating of any poisonous plant. Symptoms of rhubarb poisoning range from horrible stomach pain to kidney failure in major cases. Stick to the stalks.

Answer: Jasmine

Although some jasmine bush plants are treated to prevent toxicity, many of their vines can produce harmful if eaten and lead to fatal consequences. While many enjoy the fragrance of the jasmine plant and several countries claim it as their national flower, it can be an bother to people who find themselves highly irritated by strong odours. Eating the berries (and, in many cases, the other parts of the plant) can cause issues throughout the body's digestive tract and send the body into defense mode. Beautiful, but deadly.

Answer: Yew

Know your berries. Should you eat yew? No yew shouldn't. Although birds and deer can typically be found eating these without any issues, most other animals will die after consuming an amount, mainly because their stomach acids break down the berries, but not the poisons in the seeds.

As a matter of fact, the only part of the tree you can eat is the red outside the berries. Play it safe and say no thank yew. Yew, otherwise, is used for the crafting of longbows.

Answer: Mistletoe

Mistletoe is a rough plant for both fauna and flora. If the berries are eaten by humans and other animals it can cause problems in your digestive tract and lead to death. This is particularly odd because of its connection to the Christmas season and the fact that centuries ago it was considered an antidote to poisons. It also has a tendency to snuff out larger plants by growing in a parasitic fashion overtop an existing tree/bush.
It's not the only poisonous plant of the choices though. Holly's red berries, while fine for birds, are potentially damaging to the human body.

Answer: Hemlock

Hemlock's deadly poison is derived from Coniine, which has the ability to wreak havoc on the human nervous system and cause a very painful death if ingested in any capacity. The body's nerves cease to respond and paralysis forces the victim to stop breathing after a short time.

This is quite a famous poison, particularly because it was the means by which Socrates allegedly committed suicide; it has since been used in many fictional instances as well, particularly in mystery literature. Hemlock, during its flowering stage, creates little, white flowers.

Answer: Deadly Nightshade

Although the entire plant is poisonous, the berries are more potent than the rest. Consuming one of the deeply-coloured berries will cause severe delirium and, ultimately, death. This has been considered so effective that enemies in ancient wars used the poisons to improve their weapons. Once used as an opiate, the leaves were crushed and used as a sedative during childbirth procedures in the nineteenth century, but proved dangerous for both the mother and the unborn child.

Answer: Hyacinth

This flower, while originally from the Mediterranean, can now be found worldwide in many different colours. Although the flower isn't really meant to be ingested anyways, the hyacinth bulb (like a tulip bulb) is quite toxic to humans and pets; a single bulb, when eaten by a smaller animal, is fatal. If an adult human eats one it could be deadly if their immune system is weakened, otherwise it can cause a wide array of issues from nausea to stomach pains. Handling the bulb, in some cases, may also cause a rash. You know it's not safe to eat when...

Answer: Castor plant

The castor plant, known for creating castor oil, is grown in tropical environments (and in large quantity in India, China, and Brazil) and, while the oil is used for medicinal purposes worldwide, it's also used as biofuel. The seeds/beans of the plant, if not used for their oil, are very toxic and, with even a single bean, can cause death.

This is because the bean contains ricin which, in its most concentrated form, can kill a human with only a few grains. The castor oil, after being pressed and treated, is not toxic. Phew.

Answer: Daphne

Daphne is found in both deciduous and evergreen forms, but what both variations have in common (in nearly one hundred different strains) is their toxic nature. The berries are the most potent-- you shouldn't eat them. Although many researchers believe that daphne has medicinal perks, eating the berries straight off the plant will cause several symptoms from irritation to nausea before leading straight into more serious, potentially fatal poisoning. Daphne, usually, is used as a garden plant, especially the more colourful variations; non-flowering daphne also grows in the wild.