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Babs

Babs

Babs

8 Plants In Florida That Can Harm Or Kill You And Your Pet

By Babs

I love living in Florida, and lately, I’ve been doing a lot of jogging. There is this park in St.Petersburg that has a lake and many beautiful plants. Of course, I like taking pictures and sometimes even touching them. Maybe that is not the best Idea, because there are a lot of plants that can harm us. You will find the 8 plants in Florida that can harm or kill you can your pet below.

What Makes a Plant Harmful?

According to AZ Animals, the following is what makes plants harmful:
  1. Aggressive growth: some introduced species, like kudzu, can rapidly overtake property and kill out other vegetation. Even if not physically dangerous, they can be destructive and should be removed immediately from your property.
  2. Thorns and spikes: plants like cacti or roses can inflict puncture wounds and scratches. These can create injuries that become infected.
  3. Allergies: many plants reproduce through pollination. People who have pollen allergies may experience mild to severe sneezing, congestion, and problems breathing. Plants can also secrete oils that may irritate skin – sometimes severely. Poison ivy is an example.
  4. Poisons: some plants can be toxic when parts of the plant, such as leaves, fruit, or seeds, are eaten. They might cause an upset stomach, organ damage, or even death if eaten in large enough quantities.

Allergies is a big one for me! Even though I love jogging around the park, I find myself sneezing a lot. When I take my Zertec it is much better. We as humans have to also watch out for our animals. Animals love exploring and touching plants. Some of these things could be very detrimental to our furry friends.

Below is the list of 8 plants in Florida that can harm or kill you and your pet. Have you had an awful experience with any of these? Feel free to email me [email protected]

  • Angel’s Trumpet

    Angel’s trumpet is a South American tropical tree. The flowers that grow on this tree are shaped like trumpets. If consumed, these flowers or seeds can cause violent seizures and hallucinations. The seizures can be deadly. Wear Gloves  if you need to touch it. Keep children and pets away.

  • Brazilian Pepper Tree

    The Brazilian Pepper tree is one of the most dangerous plants in Florida. It is often found along roads and highways. Touching the leaves 0f the Brazilian Peppertree can create blisters and an itchy rash. You may also experience difficulty breathing.

  • Castor Bean Plant

    The castor bean plant has seeds inside.  If castor beans are swallowed or even chewed, you will experience, nausea, bloody vomiting, diarrhea, internal organ damage, sleepiness and death. This truly is one of the most dangerous plants in Florida! 

  • Coontie

    Coontie is a low-growing plant that is easily accessible to children and pets. Some animals eat this plant without a problem but they are  poisonous to people.

  • Oleander

    Oleander is a shrub and every part of this plant is poisonous. It will cause immediate pain if chewed.  Some Symptoms include irritation of the lips, burning, mouth and throat pain. Also nausea, if swallowed.

  • Pencil cactus

    The Pencil cactus is also known as a milk bush. It is highly toxic and irritating to the skin.

  • Poison Ivy, Poison Oak, Poison Sumac

    All three of these plants have the same defense mechanism! It has an oily recreation that causes a painful, itchy and blistering rash. Scratching can spread to other parts of the body and other people. It can even get into the lungs and cause breathing problems.

  • Rosary Peas

    Rosary peas are native to India but have been used all over Florida. They have beautiful fern like leaves that grow berry like seeds. Swallowing a single berry is enough to kill a cat, dog or human being. Sometimes the hard coating on the berry is able to keep the poison contained until the berry can pass undigested and be expelled in feces.

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