pics of poison or dangerous plants

[Mack]

I just looked at an Ocotillo and that may be the most dangerous plant I have ever seen. I can't post the pic but, man the thorns on Ocotillo are deadly.

 

[Haze]

It might be a bit less obvious and its not poisonous but trees that have been blown over and are "hung up" can be huge danger.
A good friend of mine was nearly killed by a hung up tree that just dropped for no apparent reason. He was not able to work for about 18 months after that.

I have heard many stories when working in the forestry department of people taking shelter in an upped root ball and having it collaps on them fataly as well as hung trees dropping.
Its actually bad practice to leave trees or roots up when cuttung wind blown timber but it happens all the time for various reasons.
People often use fallen trees or upped root balls for shelter building and such so its something to be considered here i think.

An other thing to be carefull of is mushrooms. few of them will kill you by them selves but some can make you very ill indeed if you eat them, that can lead to poor decision making etc. and that can have a dangerous knock on effect.
Some mushrooms are obviosly poisonous in different ways. this vid. is a good example of how bad "tripping" can be in a survival or any situation. While Psilocybin is not exactly the same as LSD the over all effects are very similar.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=n-rWnQphPdQ

Im not going to provide pictures of mushrooms because unless you know exactly what your doing they should just be avoided. They have virtually no nutritional value any way, so If you dont know what your doing dont even bother with them.

:thumbup:

 

[Diomedes Industries]

Doc - I am thinking these posts need to be reorganized in two categories - Poisonous to eat - and poisonous to touch.

That would help me sort out what I can't touch or wipe my booty with.

TF

 

[DOC-CANADA]

Earlier I posted a picture of Coltsfoot (Tussilago farfara). Traditionally it was used as a medicinal herb for respiratory problems. Coltsfoot looks very similar to Dandelion (Taraxacum officinale), both in flower and also when it goes to seed. I don't have a good picture of the yellow flower in full bloom but the following is a picture of Coltsfoot gone to seed and a poor comparison picture when in bloom. More recent research has determined that Coltsfoot contains a harmful (to the liver) alkaloid called pyrrolizidine. Apparently Comfrey (Symphytum officinale) also contains pyrrolixidine alkaloids.

This is a young Ohio Buckeye (Aesculus glabra). "The seed husks and seeds are bitter, inedible, and potentially poisonous. All parts contain a dangerous alkaloid" Even so, some early peoples used them as food but only after special preparation. Early peoples also used the nuts and roots as a fish poison. This is the same genus as Horse Chestnut for those of you that have Horse Chestnut in your area, and the same qualities apply. I've read, also, that Horse Chestnut makes adequate material for bow drill fire making, although I have yet to try it.

This is a picture of Red Elder (Sambucus racemosa). According to Venomous Animals & Poisonous Plants, Steven Foster / Roger Caras, Peterson Guides, 1994, ISBN# 0-395-35292-4, page 164, "Only blue-fruited elderberries are considered edible. Fruits of red-berried elders contain a bitter yellow oil. Elderberries also accumulate nitrates from the soil. The leaves, stems, and roots contain cyanogenic glycosides. Ingestion of these plant parts can cause severe diarrhea."

And lastly, one final source of potential harmful effects.

Doc

 

[DOC-CANADA]

Doc - I am thinking these posts need to be reorganized in two categories - Poisonous to eat - and poisonous to touch.

That would help me sort out what I can't touch or wipe my booty with. TF

Wouldn't any reorganizing be up to the original poster?

Doc

 

[Mack]

Reorganize at will. My original post was for an education in dangerous plant life. Add pics of edibles plants as well. The education is what is important. To me at least.

 

[21tracker]

I don't think anyone mentioned it, but wilted cherry tree leaves produce cyanide and tends to kill horses a lot

 

[Mack]

I don't think anyone mentioned it, but wilted cherry tree leaves produce cyanide and tends to kill horses a lot

Great info. Kills horses? Probably not good for me.

 

[Return of the J.D.]

I don't think anyone mentioned it, but wilted cherry tree leaves produce cyanide and tends to kill horses a lot

Yeah--most of the trees in the cherry/apple/peach/plum/apricot family have a poison in all parts but the part of the fruit that is traditionally eaten. So, the flesh of the fruit is okay, but watch out about the actual seeds (as well as leaves, flowers, etc.) The poison in question is, if memory serves, called "amygdalin", and it's a combination of the poison hydrogen cyanide and a couple of other chemicals. I think the wilting helps release the cyanide, though I wouldn't try using un-wilted cherry leaves as food, either.

As an aside, it also makes one wonder about how botanically aware the U.S. Supreme Court was when it swallowed whole the theory that the fruit of a poisonous tree is necessarily itself poisonous--as a metaphor for the doctrine that illegally-obtained evidence should be excluded in criminal prosecutions. See Nardone v. United States, 308 U.S. 338, 60 S. Ct. 266, 84 L. Ed. 307 (1939)

 

[Mack]

Yeah--most of the trees in the cherry/apple/peach/plum/apricot family have a poison in all parts but the part of the fruit that is traditionally eaten. So, the flesh of the fruit is okay, but watch out about the actual seeds (as well as leaves, flowers, etc.) The poison in question is, if memory serves, called "amygdalin", and it's a combination of the poison hydrogen cyanide and a couple of other chemicals. I think the wilting helps release the cyanide, though I wouldn't try using un-wilted cherry leaves as food, either.

As an aside, it also makes one wonder about how botanically aware the U.S. Supreme Court was when it swallowed whole the theory that the fruit of a poisonous tree is necessarily itself poisonous--as a metaphor for the doctrine that illegally-obtained evidence should be excluded in criminal prosecutions. See Nardone v. United States, 308 U.S. 338, 60 S. Ct. 266, 84 L. Ed. 307 (1939)

That is really interesting. Wonderful information.

 

[DOC-CANADA]

Hey protourist,

I've been thinking about this thread and it seems like there are a few people interested in it, so maybe it would be better to start a new thread and call it Plants of the Northeast - Useful and otherwise. The reason I'm suggesting this is the plants that I'm posting, at least, are from the region I live in. These may not grow on the West Coast, or further South. Other threads could be started for those regions.

Also, although all plant images can be taken from Google Image Search and others, I think it would be most interesting to use members' photos only. These photos can be added to with the 'Edit' feature as the seasons progress. For example, I'm planning on getting out this afternoon and taking pictures of Celandine in flower, the shrub version of Poison Ivy etc. This way you can see the plants how they look through the seasons.

Anyway that's my thoughts on the subject. Anyone else?

Doc

 

[Mack]

Doc,
Have at it. I'm searching for knowledge. If anyone has a good idea for getting that knowledge out, I am all for it.
Personally, I live in the Northwest. I work in the other 47 US states though. When I get days off I could be in any of the 48 states. I love to hike and walk wherever I happen to be. Any information from anywhere is good for me, and I would assume many others.
I see many posts on "how to" light fires etc. I can light fires, I don't know the plant life that can kill me or make me ill.

 

[DOC-CANADA]

Doc,
Have at it. I'm searching for knowledge. If anyone has a good idea for getting that knowledge out, I am all for it.
Personally, I live in the Northwest. I work in the other 47 US states though. When I get days off I could be in any of the 48 states. I love to hike and walk wherever I happen to be. Any information from anywhere is good for me, and I would assume many others.
I see many posts on "how to" light fires etc. I can light fires, I don't know the plant life that can kill me or make me ill.

OK, I may start that tonight.

Doc

 

[Mack]

Very good, thank you Sir.

 

[DOC-CANADA]

Hey protourist,

I'm going to repeat my pictures in the new thread if you have no objection. If it works out, it would be good to have them all in one place.

Doc

 

[Mack]

Hey protourist,

I'm going to repeat my pictures in the new thread if you have no objection. If it works out, it would be good to have them all in one place.

Doc

You are really causing me to reassess my thoughts on the human race.
I am constantly amazed by the lack of courtesy in the world today.
The gentlemen and ladies on this site are exactly that. Ladies and Gentlemen.
If any of you can improve on any thread I start, please do.
If you can educate me I will be forever grateful.
Doc, I will happily read and be educated by your threads.

 

[mystical woodsman]

I have seen a kid have it. It looks like it hurts! Huge blisters and all that.

Imagine wearing almost-like daisy-duke shorts (hey, I was a kid... ) and monkey straddling a big branch between your legs as you humped up ten feet of it... Yes, 3 hours later it hurt and in the worst way too...

 

[mystical woodsman]

The gentlemen and ladies on this site are exactly that. Ladies and Gentlemen.

Heck yeah! This is what it is all about. I have been impressed by the people here too. That is why I have upgraded my forum experience. I have learned so much from this forum, and have bought items because of suggestions I found by just reading around here, I seriously think everyone who feels the same way should all perhaps upgrade too by donating (just a thought). Perhaps one bit of advice that makes someone change their mind about something concerning gear, meeting people who become serious online friends, etc, it should make all unregistered or basic members to at least give ten dollars and suffer not eating out for a day.

Again, just my personal thoughts, and am speaking only for myself. If people don’t, that is cool too. As long as they are able to share a story or give advice whenever they can. That would probably be even a better donation actually. :thumbup:

 

[Mack]

Heck yeah! This is what it is all about. I have been impressed by the people here too. That is why I have upgraded my forum experience. I have learned so much from this forum, and have bought items because of suggestions I found by just reading around here, I seriously think everyone who feels the same way should all perhaps upgrade too by donating (just a thought). Perhaps one bit of advice that makes someone change their mind about something concerning gear, meeting people who become serious online friends, etc, it should make all unregistered or basic members to at least give ten dollars and suffer not eating out for a day.

Again, just my personal thoughts, and am speaking only for myself. If people don’t, that is cool too. As long as they are able to share a story or give advice whenever they can. That would probably be even a better donation actually. :thumbup:

I'm convinced!

 

[sdt11670]

I realize that much has been written about poison plants.
Good pics would really help in identifying them.
Please post any you have and any info as well.
A lot of us take our dogs with us. Are there plants we need to keep them out of?
Thanks for all the info. You guys/gals are really full of it!

http://www.amazon.com/Illustrated-Guide-Edible-Wild-Plants/dp/1585746614

I have this book on my bookshelf called the illustrated guide to edible wild plants and it's by department of the army. All the plants are pictured in full color. Perhaps this book will give you some knowledge of what to stay away from...also it is small and light enough to carry in your pack.