Explore Plants
Ask Mr. Smarty Plants
Ask Mr. Smarty Plants is a free service provided by the staff and volunteers at the Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center.
Can't find the answer in our existing FAQs, submit a question to Mr. Smarty Plants.
Need help with plant identification, visit the plant identification page.
rate this answer
Monday - June 09, 2008
From: Hudson, OH
Region: Midwest
Topic: Poisonous Plants
Title: Poisonous plant in Ohio with hydrangea-like flower
Answered by: Nan Hampton
QUESTION:
Dear Mr. Smarty Plants, I was sure that I had read that there is a poisonous bush that is native to Ohio that has flowers something like a white hydrangea..or was it queen ann's lace? I believe the flowers could cause severe respiratory distress. Any ideas of what this shrub could be?ANSWER:
Hydrangea spp. can be toxic (nausea, stomach pain, vomiting, sweating) but only if eaten in large quantities. Queen Anne's lace (Daucus carota) leaves cause skin irritation, but are edible if cooked properly. I think it is more likely that you read about one of the "hemlocks".Poison hemlock (Conium maculatum) is highly toxic with a large variety of symptoms. This is an introduced species from Europe and is, supposedly, what Socrates drank when sentenced to death for "refusing to recognize the gods recognized by the state" and "of corrupting the youth". Even though it is introduced it has spread over almost all of North America, including most of Canada.
Water hemlock (Cicuta maculata), a native plant of the same family (Family Apiaceae, Carrot Family), is equally as toxic with similar symptoms. This native species has a similar distribution.
You can find more information about these two from the Canadian Poisonous Plants Information System by searching on their botanical names. For Conium maculatum one of the "General symptoms of poisoning" under "Humans" is "death by asphyxiation". For Cicuta maculata, under "General poisoning notes", death is listed as "from asphyxiation". The Indiana Plants Poisonous to Livestock and Pets data base lists these two in their "Extremely Toxic" list. These are definitely two plants to be avoided!
More Poisonous Plants Questions
Is it quantity that makes silver nightshade poisonous to people?
September 18, 2012 - I have a recipe for Asadero cheese that uses silverleaf nightshade and have eaten this cheese many times. Is it too much quantity that makes it poisonous to people?
view the full question and answer
Do prairie verbenas (Glandularia bipinnatifida) have toxic sap?
March 16, 2009 - Dear Mr. Smarty Plants,
I live in Wimberley, TX and my 6 year old daughter picked wildflowers for her Mom over the weekend. I believe the species was Prairie Verbena but not 100% certain. Now, fo...
view the full question and answer
Is carrotwood poisonous to Boston Terrier in Rancho Cucamonga CA?
July 20, 2009 - My Boston Terrier always goes to our carrotwood tree and licks the base. He gets so excited that he drools all over the place? Why does this tree cause this reaction in our dog? Is it poisonous to ...
view the full question and answer
Non-toxic plants for dog yard from Freeport PA
June 24, 2012 - I'm looking for wildlife-friendly native plants that aren't toxic to dogs. I have a place for some small shrubs and/or flowers. And a climbing vine that I could train on a trellis would work espec...
view the full question and answer
Getting rid of poison ivy
May 08, 2009 - Dear Mr Smarty Plants, Likewise I also have a shady area in my yard with overgrowth of poison ivy. It borders a small duck pond and we have a Golden Retriever. I too would like to plant soon afterward...
view the full question and answer
 |
Support the Wildflower Center by Donating Online or Becoming a Member today. Mr. Smarty Plants wants you to be his Facebook friend. Click the Facebook icon to add yourself to Mr. Smarty Plants list of friends. |
