What's Your Poison? Trivia Quiz

Answer: bitter almond

The name "bitter almond" denotes either the seeds of Prunus dulcis var. amara (a variety of the almond tree that usually grows wild), or the kernels of fruit from other Prunus species, such as apricots and peaches. These seeds, whose distinctive aroma is caused by the chemical benzaldehyde (also dangerous in high concentration), contain a poisonous cyanogenic glycoside named amygdalin. Apricot kernels have the highest amygdalin content (8%); this dangerous substance is also contained in apple seeds. Though an adult would have to eat about 50 bitter almonds in order to ingest a fatal dose, bitter almond extract is potentially lethal if the cyanide is not removed before consumption.

Answer: lily of the valley

A native of the cool, temperate regions of the Northern Hemisphere, Convallaria majalis is a woodland perennial that is often grown in gardens for its pretty, bell-shaped, sweet-scented white flowers. However, it contains 38 cardiac glycosides (some of which are used in the treatment of heart conditions), and can cause severe effects (including death) even if ingested in small quantities. Lily of the valley symbolizes purity of heart, humility and happiness, which makes it a desirable flower for weddings.

However, as the flowers tend to be rather expensive, they often feature in the bridal bouquets of people of considerable means - such as Kate Middleton, the Duchess of Cambridge, who married Prince William on April 29, 2011.

Answer: castor oil plant

Indigenous to the Mediterranean basin, India and Eastern Africa, Ricinus communis is a shrub that is often grown as an ornamental plant. Its seeds are the source of castor oil, which is used in medicine and also as a lubricant: they also contain ricin, a protein that acts as protection against insect pests, but can be lethal to people and animals. Purified ricin powder is extremely virulent if ingested, and can also have severe effects if inhaled (hence its uses as a chemical weapon).

In 1978, Bulgarian dissident Georgi Markov was assassinated in London by means of a pellet (shot from a modified umbrella) containing ricin.

In 2013 there was a spate of incidents involving ricin-contaminated letters mailed to US politicians as a form of intimidation.

Answer: pennyroyal

Another Old World plant, Mentha pulegium has been used for centuries as a traditional folk remedy, eapecially as regards women's reproductive health. The name "pulegium" (from Latin "pulex", meaning "flea"), refers to its properties as an insect repellant: in fact, pennyroyal oil is sometimes used in flea collars for pets.

However, the concentrated oil (which contains the aromatic compound pulegone) should be used very sparingly, as it is very toxic to both humans and animals. While pennyroyal tea can help regulate the menstrual cycle (though it should not be drunk on a regular basis), the oil can induce a miscarriage if taken by a pregnant woman, and an overdose can easily result in death. Pennyroyal is also used as a culinary herb, though not as frequently as other members of the mint family.

Answer: deadly nightshade

Though the family Solanaceae includes some important food plants such as potatoes, tomatoes, eggplant and peppers, many members of the family contain powerful, potentially lethal alkaloids. Deadly nightshade (Atropa belladonna), a perennial native of Eurasia and North Africa, has a long history of being used for medicinal and cosmetic purposes, and also as a poison. All parts of the plant contain a cocktail of alkaloids (atropine, scopolamine, hyoscyamine and others) that can cause delirium, hallucinations, convulsions, and eventually death; the dark blue berries can be particularly dangerous to children, as two or three are enough to be fatal. Like other poisonous plants, deadly nightshade was used to make poisoned arrows and for other forms of early chemical warfare, such as poisoning wells.

The name "Atropa" comes from Atropos, one of the Greek Moirai, who cut the thread of human life. On the other hand, "belladonna" (meaning "beautiful woman" in Italian) refers to the plant's use to make eye drops that dilated the pupil - an effect that was considered especially attractive.

Answer: autumn crocus

In spite of its common name, Colchicum autumnale is not a true crocus, though it looks like one. Named after the ancient region of Colchis (modern-day Georgia, in the Caucasus), it grows from a corm, or bulbotuber: the leaves, produced in the spring, die in the summer, before the flowers bloom - hence its other common name of "naked lady". Autumn crocus contain colchicine, a toxic substance that has also useful medicinal uses (especially in the treatment of gout), but which can cause severe symptoms, and even death if ingested in high doses.

There have been a number of fatalities in recent years when people foraging in the fields mistook them for ramps (wild garlic). Autumn crocus is also cultivated as an ornamental plant, but care must be taken if pets are around, as it is also poisonous to cats and dogs.

Answer: hemlock

Most people know about the Greek philosopher Socrates and his execution by means of an infusion of hemlock (Conium maculatum). This plant, native to Europe and North Africa, belongs to the family Apiaceae, which includes a number of plants commonly used as vegetables or herbs (carrots, celery, fennel and coriander, to name but a few).

Hemlock is a biennial flowering plant that often grows near water. It contains a number of alkaloids, the most prominent of which is coniine - a powerful neurotoxin that causes gradual numbness and respiratory paralysis. Water hemlock (Cicuta virosa) was for a time thought to have been the plant used in Socrates' execution, but the effects described in Plato's "Phaedo" are consistent with those of Conium maculatum.

Answer: wormwood

Though the plant mentioned in the Book of Revelations is probably white wormwood (Artemisia herba-alba) rather than grand wormwood (Artemisia absinthium), all the plants of the genus Artemisia (named after Artemis, the Greek goddess of the hunt) contain thujone, a neurotoxin that causes symptoms similar to those of epilepsy, as well as kidney failure. Artemisia absinthium is used as a flavouring for wines and spirits (such as vermouth, which is the German name for wormwood), and is one of the main ingredients of absinthe, the potent, often green-coloured spirit associated with the bohemian culture of the turn of the 19th century.

Although at the time absinthe was thought to be a dangerously addictive drug, its effects have probably been overstated. On the other hand, oil of wormwood contains a much higher concentration of thujone, and is likely to do more harm if ingested.

Answer: foxglove

Like other plants mentioned in this quiz, Digitalis purpurea is a native of temperate Europe. Its characteristic tubular flowers (generally purple, as its name implies, though they can also be white, pink or yellow) are arranged in elongated clusters Digitoxin, one of the cardiac glycosides present in Digitalis purpurea, is the main component of the heart medicine digoxin, used to treat severe heart conditions. Though foxglove is highly poisonous in all of its parts, cases of fatal poisoning are rare, as ingestion of raw plant materials produces nausea and vomiting - thus preventing a person from consuming more, and possibly expelling the cardiac toxins before they can do any serious harm.

Answer: oleander

A strikingly beautiful plant with elongated, dark-green leaves and showy, white, pink or red flowers, Nerium oleander is probably native to the Mediterranean region, where it grows abundantly and is often planted to create field boundaries. It contains a number of cardiac glycosides, the most important of which, oleandrin, is used to treat cardiac insufficiency. All parts of the plant are poisonous to humans and animals, and even the smoke of burning oleander is said to be potentially dangerous. Though deaths from accidental poisoning are rare (in spite of the many urban legends that circulate concerning this plant's toxicity), there have been reported cases of attempted suicide using oleander-derived materials.