5 Myths About Poisonous Plants You Should Know
Myth 1: Poisonous plants have an unpleasant odor.
False! Many poisonous plants have a pleasant scent that can even attract humans and animals. Examples include the poisonous lily of the valley with its sweet scent and the arum with its carrion-like odor that attracts flies.
Myth 2: You can tell if a plant is poisonous by its leaves.
False! There is no general rule for identifying poisonous plants by their leaves. Some poisonous plants have harmless-looking leaves, while other harmless plants have leaves that look poisonous.
Myth 3: Only the leaves of a poisonous plant are poisonous.
False! Depending on the plant, all parts can be poisonous, including the flowers, fruits, seeds, stems, and roots. It is important to know the specific properties of each poisonous plant.
Myth 4: Cooking or heating a poisonous plant makes it non-toxic.
False! In most cases, cooking or heating a poisonous plant does not destroy the toxins. It is therefore important never to eat parts of unknown plants, even if they have been cooked or heated.
