Most poisonous plants in Germany: "Dangerous four" can be fatal

According to experts, the most dangerous plants in Germany are a problem especially for children because of their poison.

What you should definitely stay away from at a glance.

Sometimes they have beautiful flowers, beckoning with delicious-looking berries - and yet one should only approach them with caution.

In Germany, too, there are plants that are poisonous to humans.

In particular, you should keep your distance from the plants classified as "dangerous four".

In the worst case, they can even end fatally, as reported by echo24.de *.

“All things are poison, and nothing is without poison;

The dose alone makes sure that a thing is not poison. ”This famous quote from the Swiss doctor Paracelsus is still valid today.

Because, that's the good news, first of all: Very few plants are so highly toxic that they can lead to death for humans, such as the monkshood, if they come into contact with the skin * or if consumed in small amounts.

Nevertheless, caution is advised.

Because what used to be a remedy like the black nightshade * can also end very differently in the event of an overdose.

Because how much poison is actually dangerous depends on various factors.

Most poisonous plants in Germany: experts warn of "dangerous four"

As the Naturschutzbund Deutschland (Nabu) reports, the toxic effect depends on both the plant and the person.

In the case of poisonous plants, too, the location or nutrient supply and even the degree of ripeness play a role when it comes to the poisonous content in leaves, flowers, roots or fruits.

For example, unripe, green tomatoes are considered "toxic".

But when they are red and ready to be harvested, the toxic substances have disappeared.

In humans, health factors play a major role:

• How old is man

• Is the person healthy or sick?

• How does a person react after a possible poisoning?

According to Nabu, children in particular are extremely at risk.

Every year there are around 100,000 cases of poisoning among children in Germany - up to 10 percent of these can be caused by poisoning by plants.

Fortunately, tragic outcomes are rare.

Usually the children only get small amounts of the plant poison.

"Dangerous four": Keep poisonous plants away from children

Even so, there are also deaths - even among adults.

The reason is often ignorance or a dramatic mix-up, as often occurs with giant hogweed *.

The Nabu therefore urgently recommends: "Since there will always be places with poisonous plants, how to deal with them must be learned as well as how to behave in traffic." Education helps to protect children in particular.

Because these should not come too close to the "Dangerous Four".

The "dangerous four"

Laburnum: Unfortunately, the pretty name is misleading.

All parts of the golden rain are highly toxic.

However, flowers and seeds in particular can be a problem.

It even warns against growing these plants near children's playgrounds.

In the worst case scenario, poisoning could result in respiratory failure.

Pfaffenhütchen: The Pfaffenhütchen looks beautiful in autumn.

But here, too, the seeds are by no means in the right place near children.

Around 30 to 40 seeds would have to land in the stomach before poisoning would have a fatal outcome.

But severe symptoms such as circulatory disorders or colic also occur.

Holly: The plant also known as Ilex occurs in many forests in Germany.

It's even a popular decoration at Christmas.

But berries and leaves are poisonous.

Consuming just a few berries can be fatal, especially for young children.

Daphne *: In the case of real daphne, the berries shine in a tempting red. But the signal color is also an urgent warning.

In children, eating four berries is sometimes enough to trigger the most severe symptoms and even be fatal.

But not only native plants can become a poisonous danger.

Many ornamental plants that are cultivated in gardens because of their pretty appearance should also be kept away from children.

Berries seem to tempt the little ones to nibble - with dramatic consequences.

Poisonous plants in Germany: Ornamental plants in gardens can also be dangerous

In the case of the miracle tree, for example, a single seed * without a cover is enough to be fatal for a child.

The angel's trumpet * doesn't even have to be eaten.

Some species are said to be dazed by their scent.

In the worst case, there is a risk of fatal poisoning if touched.

The Nabu Baden-Württemberg advises against planting such plants in gardens that are also used by children or pets.

The same applies to the following crops:

• Spotted hemlock *: Because of its similarity to certain herbs, there is a risk of confusion with the spotted hemlock.

  Half a gram of its poison is enough to kill adults too.

• Black henbane *: The stench of black henbane makes it clear that it is better not to approach it.

  The same applies here: Children should never eat the poisonous seeds.

  As many as 15 could be fatal.

• Common thorn apple *: The fruits of the common thorn apple look a bit like chestnut pods.

  But they are not at all suitable for playing.

  The problem for children: When immature, the seeds are very sweet and quite tasty, but also highly toxic.

Plant poisoning: Particularly with children, great caution is indicated

Basically, caution should be exercised with plants if you are not entirely sure which plant it is actually.

If in doubt, it is better to consult a doctor urgently - especially if children are at risk of poisoning.

*

echo24.de

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