Articles by PAA

Angel’s trumpet
Published

Angel’s trumpet

Brugmansia_35

Common name: Angel’s trumpet, moon flower

Scientific name: Datura species, Brugmansia species

Hazard associated: All parts poisonous if ingested.

Notes: angeltrumpet-with-bee

  • These plants are grown in gardens for their attractive flowers.
  • Datura species have erect flowers. Brugmansia has pendulous flowers.
  • Contains hallucinogenic alkaloid compounds – hycosamine and scopolamine.
  • Used in shamanistic medicine.
  • Many cases of poisoning in humans arise from deliberate ingestion of the seeds or teas made with the leaves by people seeking an altered state. Also consumption of honey from bees foraging on Angel’s trumpet has been known to cause poisoning.

 Wikipedia page: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Datura

Image credits:

“Brugmansia 35” by Jan Smith from Brisbane, Australia – Angel’s TrumpetUploaded by berichard. Licensed under CC BY 2.0 via Wikimedia Commons – https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Brugmansia_35.jpg#/media/File:Brugmansia_35.jpg
“Apis mellifera (honeybee) on Datura II (3916425357)” by Marshal Hedin from San Diego – Apis mellifera (honeybee) on Datura II. Licensed under CC BY 2.0 via Wikimedia Commons – https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Apis_mellifera_(honeybee)_on_Datura_II_(3916425357).jpg#/media/File:Apis_mellifera_(honeybee)_on_Datura_II_(3916425357).jpg
Arum lily
Published

Arum lily

Arum or Calla lily

Common name: Arum lily, Calla lily, Jack in the Pulpit

Scientific name:  Zantedeschia aethiopica

Hazard associated:  Ingestion of the leaves causes blistering and swelling.

Notes: arum lily fruit

  • Berries are initially green then turn yellow; may therefore be attractive to children
  • Commonly grows wild as a weed.
  • Leaves may be completely green or mottled with white patches.
  • Other related species may have pink or yellow “flowers”.
  • Sap may also irritate the skin.

 

 Wikipedia page: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Zantedeschia

Image credits:

1) “Calla lily” by User:Fir0002 – Own work. Licensed under CC BY-SA 3.0 via Commons – https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Calla_lily.jpg#/media/File:Calla_lily.jpg
Asthma weed
Published

Asthma weed

Parietaria_judaica

Common name: Asthma weed, Sticky weed

Scientific name: Parietaria judaica

Hazard associated:  As the common name suggests, associated with asthma attacks.

Notes: Urticaceae - Parietaria judaica

  • A member of the nettle flower, it is hairy and tends to stick to clothes or pet fur on contact.
  • Commonly grows wild as a weed, particularly in disturbed areas, and in cracks in walls.
  • The pollen is highly allergenic.
  • n.

 

 Wikipedia page: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Parietaria_judaica

Image credits:

Autumn crocus
Published

Autumn crocus

Colchicum_autumnale

Common name:Autumn Crocus, Meadow saffron

Scientific name: Colchicum autumnale, Colchium spp

Hazard associated: All parts of the plant are poisonous.
Notes: Colchicum_autumnale-closeup

  • These species are commonly planted in gardens due to their attractive flowers which emerge after the leaves have died off, hence one of the common names “naked ladies” which is sometimes used.
  • Colchicine, a drug used to treat gout and other conditions is derived from this species. However, colchicine is poisonous outside this medicinal setting, causing extreme gastrointestinal distress, and possibly general organ failure.
  • Cases of autumn crocus poisoning have often been caused by foragers mistaking it for similar plants.

 Wikipedia page: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Colchicum_autumnale

Autumn skullcap
Published

Autumn skullcap

autumn-skullcap

 Scientific name: Galerina marginata
Common names: Autumn skullcap

Hazard associated: Causes liver damage.

Notes: Kuehneromyces.mutabilis

  • Different people may react differently to it.
  • This mushroom is often mistaken for several edible species such as Kuehneromyces mutabilis (see right) and this has led to severe and in some cases lethal poisonings.
  • Galerina marginata has been mistaken in the past with representatives of the genus Psilocybe by those interested in collecting hallucinogenic mushrooms. This has resulted in severe poisonings.
  • This fungus grows in rotted wood and where moss occurs.

  Wikipedia page: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Galerina_marginata

Image credits:

“Gifthäublinge” by Lebrac – Own work. Licensed under CC BY-SA 3.0 via Commons – https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Gifth%C3%A4ublinge.jpg#/media/File:Gifth%C3%A4ublinge.jpg
“Kuehneromyces.mutabilis.-.lindsey” by James Lindsey at Ecology of Commanster. Licensed under CC BY-SA 3.0 via Commons – https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Kuehneromyces.mutabilis.-.lindsey.jpg#/media/File:Kuehneromyces.mutabilis.-.lindsey.jpg
Belladonna lily
Published

Belladonna lily

belladonna lily

Common name:  Belladonna, Naked ladies

Scientific name: Amaryllis belladonna

Hazard associated: Sap may cause dermatitis in humans; poisonous to animals

Notes:

  • Not to be confused with belladonna Atropa belladonna which is far more deadly.
  • Bulbs are the most deadly part.
  • Toxic to dogs, cats and livestock.

Wikipedia page: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Amaryllis