Poisonous plants don't only grow in the tropics: many are found in Ukraine's forests, meadows and wetlands and even in city yards and flower beds. Most poisonings happen by accident — a child tastes bright berries, an adult picks a tall "umbrella" flower for a bouquet or mistakes a wild plant for garden herbs. Here are the poisonous plants of Ukraine worth recognising, what they look like and what to do after contact.

The most dangerous wild plants

Eight poisonous plants of Ukraine and why they are dangerous

Sosnowsky's hogweed

A giant umbellifer up to 3 metres tall with white flower heads that has spread along roads, wasteland and rivers. Its sap contains furanocoumarins: contact may go unnoticed at first, but in sunlight burns and blisters appear within hours, and marks can last for months. Never cut it for bouquets or let children make "pea-shooters" from its hollow stems.

Aconite (monkshood)

A tall plant with blue, purple or yellow helmet-shaped flowers that grows in damp places and is often planted in gardens. All parts are toxic, especially the roots, and the toxins can even pass through broken skin. Always wear gloves when handling it.

Water hemlock (cowbane)

Probably the most dangerous plant in Ukraine's flora. It grows by water and in marshy meadows, resembles parsley, carrot or parsnip, and its cut rootstock shows hollow chambers with yellow sap. Poisoning can be fatal, so never forage "wild greens" near water. Poison hemlock, with spotted stems and a mousy smell, is similarly dangerous.

Deadly nightshade (belladonna)

A bushy plant with brownish-purple bells and shiny black berries that look like cherries. In Ukraine it grows mainly in the mountain forests of the Carpathians. The berries are especially dangerous to children.

Black henbane

A weed of wasteland and roadsides with dull yellow, purple-veined flowers, sticky leaves and a strong unpleasant smell. All parts are toxic, particularly the seeds.

Thorn apple (jimsonweed)

Large white trumpet flowers and spiny seed pods full of black seeds. It grows on wasteland and in vegetable plots. Poisoning from the seeds causes agitation and hallucinations and can be life-threatening.

View full-size photo

Lily of the valley and mezereon

Lily of the valley, a beloved spring flower, is poisonous throughout — especially its orange-red summer berries. Mezereon (Daphne mezereum) flowers in early spring with fragrant pink blooms on bare branches and bears red berries in summer; the berries, bark and sap are all toxic. Don't confuse them with edible berries, and teach children to eat wild berries only after an adult has checked them.

Poisonous plants in the garden and at home

Many ornamental plants are toxic too. That's no reason to avoid them, but it's important to know where to plant them and how to handle them:

In the garden: foxglove, aconite, hellebore, colchicum (easily mistaken for crocus — see our article on crocus and saffron), castor oil plant (especially the seeds), laburnum and yew.
At home: dieffenbachia, oleander, euphorbias and some aroids. Their sap can irritate skin and mucous membranes, and lilies are also dangerous for cats.

The rule is simple: wear gloves, wash your hands after pruning and keep these plants out of reach of children and pets.

Myth: "the brighter, the more poisonous"

Bright colour is not a reliable sign of toxicity. Many deadly plants, such as water hemlock or poison hemlock, look entirely unremarkable, like ordinary greens, while many bright berries are edible. The only reliable guide is knowing specific species.

What to do after contact with a poisonous plant

If any part was swallowed (especially by a child), call an ambulance immediately (103 in Ukraine) and, if possible, keep a sample or take a photo of the plant. Don't give medicines or induce vomiting unless a doctor tells you to.
Hogweed sap on skin: wash the area with soap and water as soon as possible and keep it out of the sun for 2–3 days. See a doctor for burns.
Sap in the eyes: rinse with plenty of clean water and seek medical help.
Weakness, nausea, irregular heartbeat or confusion after contact with a plant need urgent medical attention.

Giving flowers safely

A bunch of wildflowers picked on a walk is romantic but risky: it may include a poisonous or protected plant. It's safer to choose flowers from a florist — for example, roses or chrysanthemums with delivery. And if you love wildflowers, read about Ukraine's national flowers.

FAQ

What is the most poisonous plant in Ukraine?

Water hemlock is considered one of the most dangerous: poisoning can be fatal.

Is it dangerous just to touch hogweed?

Yes — the sap combined with sunlight causes severe burns. If you touch it, wash your skin and keep it out of the sun.

Is lily of the valley poisonous?

Yes, every part, especially the berries. Keep bouquets out of reach of children and pets and don't drink the vase water.