I should have balked when I saw that the manicurist had put crown of thorns blossoms into the soak water for my manicure, but instead I decided she must know what she was doing. Yes, I let her soak my hands and only when I got home and developed the sores on my hand that still haven’t healed weeks later, did I make use of Google to reaffirm what I already knew—that crown of thorns sap is poisonous and possibly lethal when ingested by animals, caustic to eyes and skin. I’m sure she just added it because it was pretty, but its effects are not.
That bloom upon your table, trees in your “empty” lot might feature in a bloody murder mystery’s plot. Its fruit looks so inviting. Its seeds you gather with care, just as an adornment, but there’s more than beauty there.
One drop can bring your ending. One fruit can cause great pain. One time unknowingly eaten, you’ll never taste again. Be careful what you gather and use care in your adorning. What’s beautiful and delicious can kill without a warning!
(I’m adding this to Cee’s daily flower posting as I think it is important for us all to know that what is pleasing to the eye and palate is not always as innocent as it appears to be.)
Below are all photos of deadly plants and seeds that I’ve taken that are in my own garden, my jewelry box, or the gardens of friends. Who knew? I could go on with photos of lantana, lilies, oleander, but I’ve just been informed my startup disk is full again, so I’ll leave it to you to get to know your own garden. I’ve gotten rid of all the lantana because for some reason my dogs love eating it. Also my lilies, as some varieties can kill a cat who brushes up against them and then licks its coat.
Datura from beside my friend Harriet’s door. jdbphoto
My “empty” lot next door is filled with these deadly tree-sized castor bean plants. jdbphoto
Castor beans going to seedjdbphoto
Castor bean flowers jdbphoto
I’ve seen young girls in Bali drilling these seeds to string as jewelry. One slip of the drill could bring about their end. These earrings were purchased in Mexico. I’ve purchased others in Peru. Widely used for ornamentation, they are deadly poison. jdbphoto
Beautiful but deadly. I’ve just discovered that the peace lily is highly toxic to dogs and cats, so sadly, it must go. Also a good idea not to have it around small children!
lifelessons - a blog by Judy Dykstra-Brown 