Ragwort / Spring / Summer / Autumn / Toxic Ragworts (Senecio species) are very common throughout the UK, the most common variety in the UK is Jacobaea vulgaris but they are all toxic. Common Names Ragwort, Common ragwort, Stinking Willy, Tansy ragwort, St. James-wort, Stinking nanny, Staggerwort, Cankerwort, Stammerwort. Botanical…
Tag: toxic
Toxic plants and fungi When we think about poisonous plants and fungi what do we mean? A toxic plant is often defined as ‘a plant that when touched or ingested in sufficient quantity can be harmful or fatal to an organism or any plant capable of evoking a toxic and/or…
5 of the most toxic berries found in the UK In summer and autumn time the hedgerows and woods of the UK really come alive with colour, berries of almost every conceivable colour appear, but how do you know which ones are good to eat and which to avoid? As…
Spindle / Summer / Autumn / Toxic Spindle is a fairly common shrub or small tree, one of the indictors of an ancient woodland but consumption can lead to death. Common Names Spindle, European spindle, Common spindle Botanical Name Euonymus europaeus Scientific Classification Kingdom – Plantae Order – Celastrales Family…
Deadly Nightshade / Spring / Summer / Autumn / Toxic Deadly Nightshade – As the name suggests it can be deadly poisonous, it’s a member of the same family as tomatoes, potatoes and aubergines and it’s fairly common in the UK. Common Names Deadly Nightshade, Belladonna Botanical Name Atropa belladonna…
Black Bryony / Summer / Toxic A toxic member of the Yam family, it’s quite a common sight in summer and autumn, all parts are poisonous. It’s a climber and can grow up to 4m each year. Common Names Black Bryony, Lady’s-seal or Black bindweed Botanical Name Dioscorea communis or…
Horse Chestnut / All year round / Toxic The ‘nuts’ or ‘conkers’ of Horse Chestnut are a common and familiar sight in autumn, the tree was introduced to the UK from Turkey in the 16th century. Common Names Horse Chestnut, Conker tree, Buckeye. Botanical Name Aesculus hippocastanum Scientific Classification Kingdom…
Horse Chestnut Soap Some popular brands of laundry detergent have been found to contain more than 25 toxic chemicals, such as formaldehyde and chlorine bleach, not only are these substances bad for the environment there’s is growing evidence that they are harmful to our health. Thankfully there has been a…
False Morel / Spring / Toxic Scientific Name Gyromitra esculenta Common Names False Morel, Turban fungus Family Discinaceae Habitat They are mostly found at altitude in coniferous forests, occasionally they can be found on lower lying ground. Description They contain gyromitrin, an organic carcinogenic poison and are known to be…
Giant Hogweed / Spring / Summer / Autumn / Toxic Giant Hogweed is a non-native invasive member of the Carrot family. It’s classed as scarce in the UK but it can be very common in some areas. When fully grown they can reach up to 4.5 metres tall. Common Names…