Poisonous Plants In Arizona That You Should Avoid At All Costs

Arizona is known for several species of deadly plants.

Plants contain poison mainly to ward off predators. Apart from the toxic chemicals, there is an array of defensive structures seen in plants, which includes thorns too.

The most common poisonous plants found in Arizona are poison ivy, jimson weed, candelabras cactus, and poison oak. The presence of the toxic urushiol oil in plants proves to be fatal to humans and animals feeding on them.

Sometimes the seeds are consumed by many which result in anaphylaxis including itching, rash, soreness, diarrhea, vomiting, and other symptoms. The degree of anaphylaxis depends on the species of plant and the amount of it that is consumed.

There are certain varieties of plants found in Arizona that can become life-threatening even if chewed in very small quantities. For example, a few seeds of rosary pea or castor bean can cause severe toxicity.

Ingesting a minute piece of water hemlock root can lead to convulsion and in extreme cases, death can occur. Again, a tiny bit of oleander can cause arrhythmias and bradycardia in animals and humans. Therefore, it is extremely necessary to select the right plant species and handle them with care.

Poisonous Landscape Plants

Landscape plants are used to beautify and decorate our surroundings. However, some landscape plants that grow in Arizona contain toxic chemicals or metabolites that are capable of causing severe allergic effects.

The severity depends on the person and on the ingested amount. It also depends on the age, weight, and health of the person. Although it is not possible to pen down all the different poisonous species in this article, we will discuss some of the most toxic plants that thrive well in Arizona.

Oleander (Nerium oleander) is known to possess toxins throughout its body and can cause irregular heartbeats and bradycardia if ingested. The skewers containing the twigs of this plant could potentially lead to human poisoning.

The yews (Taxus sp.) have poisonous seeds and leaves, the consumption of which may lead to the death of farm animals.

The green berries of Lantana contain lantadene which is toxic to animals. The bulbs and other parts of the daffodil and Narcissus bear the noxious chemical, lycorine, and calcium oxalate crystals, all of which are detrimental to health.

Select Your Plants With Care

Adults don't easily eat random plants on their own. However, children and pets often eat plant leaves, fruit, and seeds. The toxic chemicals of plants are not contagious but can result in itching and rashes if their traces remain on clothes. Thus, touching plants can lead to potential allergic reactions.

Ingestion is the principal cause of plant poisoning. Many people inappropriately use these plant species in the hope of deriving some medicinal effects.

This is how most people are often poisoned by plants. Toxic seeds and flowers are mistakenly ingested by kids.

Most people do not recognize these plants and confuse them to be non-toxic. Their flowers, which look appealing with vibrant colors and intoxicating fragrances, are used to adorn the homes and surroundings. Plant metabolites liberate the toxic volatile compounds in the rooms, which are actively inhaled by humans.

This may lead to asthmatic reactions and nasal congestion. Therefore, it is extremely important to select the plants that we are going to plant in our surroundings with utmost care.

Common Arizona Plants Poisonous To Dogs

There is an immense risk of plant poisoning in our furry friends. Southwestern Arizona showcases splendid blossoms in spring and in early summer. This is the perfect time to take a stroll with our pet dogs. However, their natural dog instinct makes them sniff and consume plant parts including several poisonous plant species.

Castor bean, chinaberry tree, azalea, century plant, tulips, Cyclamen, Mexican bird of paradise, and sago palm are some of the common plants that grow in Arizona. These can be extremely fatal for dogs, who actively feed on the berries, seeds, and fruits.

They can develop several symptoms in their body due to this toxicity. Diarrhea and vomiting are the very first signs of poisoning seen in them. Immediate veterinarian intervention is required in these scenarios.

There are some cactus, like the saguaro cactus, which does not have any toxins. Its sharp thorns can prick the skin and inflict pain. The Dalbergia sissoo trees of Arizona are also poisonous to dogs and can cause digestion issues.

It is extremely crucial for all dog owners to select their plant species wisely. It is unknown whether purple hopseed is toxic for dogs.

Dangerous Desert Plants To Avoid In The Outdoors

The bell-shaped purple flowers of the poodle dog bush, found in the desert mountains of southern California, are extremely toxic and impart a foul smell. It is a 6 ft (1.8 m) long shrub, that can result in instant skin blisters accompanied by intense pain.

Another dangerous desert plant is the buttonbush (Cephalanthus occidentalis), which thrives in swamps and ditches in Arizona. Its white flowers with mild fragrance can cause paralysis and seizures if ingested. The alluring greenish flowers of the hop bush tree contain saponins in their fruits, which are highly toxic.

Common Plants To Avoid In Arizona

Arizona has multitudes of plant species that possess harmful chemicals. Ingestion of these may result in mild to severe symptoms like vomiting, convulsion, and even death.

The most common plants in Arizona that must be avoided are the poison sumac that produces green berries, consumption of which can lead to urticaria. Giant hogweed comprises a toxic sap that can cause a painful rash along with vision loss.

Stinging nettle, wild parsnip, poison hemlock, foxglove, bitter nightshade, and several other plant species are examples falling under this category. The berries of mistletoe can cause acute diarrhea. Oleander shrubs, Rhododendron, and azalea can cause vomiting and dizziness.