10 Poison Plants in Alaska People Must Be Aware of

Poison plants in Alaska are ones that can do serious health damage to people and animals. This is why anyone who is living in Alaska or is planning to visit there must know about the poisonous plants found there.

These plants are a risky whenever one tries to go around them, or smell their leaves, and can even be fatal if one tends to bite them too. We have created this list of toxic plants found in Alaska for your convenience, so check out the details of these plants below.

Various Types of Poison plants in Alaska

1. Cow Parsnip

Found in wet meadows and woodlands, cow parsnip is an impressive Alaskan native that grows from three to nine feet tall. Despite its majestic stature and attractive white flowers, this plant is known for having allergenic and poisonous properties. The latter is a reason this plant is not safe for you to be around it, due to the vast damages it can surely cause. 

All parts of the plant contain furanocoumarins, whether its the stem, the leaves, even the roots. Toxins that can cause severe contact dermatitis if touched due to phototoxic sap that can burn your skin heavily when exposed to ultraviolet light. Ingesting any part of the plant or burns resulting from sap exposure should be treated immediately with medical attention as they can lead to burning sensations internally as well.

2. Spotted Water Hemlock

The spotted Water Hemlock is a poisonous plant native to Alaska and other parts of the northern parts of the United States and Canada. This annual or biennial herb grows up to five feet tall, featuring leaflets that are divided into three ovate segments, with each having widely-spaced teeth, it also have little white flowers that grow in a graceful manner. 

Its flowers are white with pink-red flecks, while its fruits are small green and brown capsules on jointed stems, as they contain toxins as well. Despite its striking appearance, this plant contains an incredibly dangerous neurotoxin called cicutoxin which can cause damage to the cardiovascular system and nervous system if ingested.

3. Poison Hemlock

Poison Hemlock is an invasive and highly toxic plant that has become increasingly widespread in Alaska over the past two decades. This biennial can reach heights of up to seven feet tall and contains oils that contain eight neurotoxins, including the extremely potent that is known as Coniine.

All parts of this plant are dangerous and people have been known to die from ingesting only small amounts of the seeds, leaves, or roots. When someone ingests it, after a little white different signs of poisoning would start to appear such as they would include nausea, vomiting, delirium, convulsions, coma, irregular heartbeat, and eventually if the quantity is bigger, death. It is recommended to carefully remove this plant.

4. Giant Hogweed

Giant Hogweed is an invasive perennial herb that belongs to the Apiaceae family. Native to parts of Eurasia, this poisonous plant has become established in Alaska where it poses a danger to humans due to a white sap that contains furocoumarins, which can cause severe skin irritation, blistering, and even permanent scarring if the amount that was contaminated towards was a lot.

On another note, this phototoxic sap can blind you if it gets into your eyes. The plant itself grows tall – up to sixteen feet – with large compound leaves and can flower in the summer months with white or pink umbrella-shaped blooms.

5. Bog Rosemary

Bog Rosemary is a low-growing, an evergreen shrub found growing in wetlands throughout boreal and Arctic regions of Alaska, this is because of the properties that this region has and how they would establish in those locations. 

This species has thread-like leaves that appear to be brushed with silver hairs or frost. Despite its attractive foliage and sweet scent, Bog rosemary is highly toxic and should not be ingested.

All parts of the plant contain grayanotoxin, a toxic which can cause heart palpitations, weakness, nausea, and vomiting if consumed in large enough amounts. Therefore, it is important to avoid ingesting bog rosemary deliberately or accidentally by ensuring proper identification before harvesting any plant in an Alaskan wetland.

6. Wild Calla

Wild Calla is a poisonous plant found in Alaska. The plant is most commonly identified by its large, arrow-like leaves and white flowers that produce attractive red berries. Wild calla contains oxalic acid which can cause skin irritation, gastrointestinal upset, and even death if ingested in high enough concentrations, this is due to the abundance of the toxin found.

This potential for toxicity makes it essential that anyone living near areas with a population of wild calla plants take precautions when handling them and maintain a knowledge of the symptoms to watch for should someone encounter these plants directly.

7. Queen Anne’s Lace

Queen Anne’s Lace, also known as the wild carrot, is a member of the Apiaceae family of flowering plants native to Europe and Asia. It can be found in Alaska and throughout northern North America. This plant features intricate white flower umbels up to six inches across that attract pollinators such as bees and butterflies, this is due to the white flowers that it has.

While it may appear delicate and inviting, queen Anne’s lace should not be touched or ingested due to its poisonous nature. This plant contains toxins that can cause serious skin irritation and gastric distress when ingested.

8. Stinging Nettle

Stinging Nettle is a common poisonous plant in Alaska, commonly found in disturbed soils throughout the state. Matted and tangled, this robust perennial can reach heights of up to three feet tall.

It has different features that distinguish it, including clusters of tiny white flowers, serrated lanceolate-shaped leaves, and hairs on its stem and underside of its leaves that release stinging chemicals when they come into contact with skin. This stinging can last for up to twenty-four hours and cause extreme itching and burning sensations.

9. Azalea

The azalea plant is a flowering shrub that is highly poisonous to humans and animals alike when ingested. Found in North America and Asia, it can be found growing wild throughout much of Alaska. They add vibrant and a beautiful feature to a garden or the surrounding area where they are planted.

It is characterized by its pink or white flowers with five petals each, as well as its elongated leaves that are smooth above and furrowed beneath. The stems have hairy textures which make them easily identifiable beyond the appearance of their flowers. 

When it comes to the toxicity, all parts of azalea present the potential to cause serious poisoning if eaten or even touched. On another note, when it is eaten, it will cause low blood pressure, and an irregular heart beat, this is dangerous because if a person has a heart disease, it would damage them in different ways.

10. Rhododendron

Rhododendron is a potentially poisonous plant found in Alaska, with several varieties of the species spread across the state. The most common of these are Rhododendron groenlandicum, typically found near the coast; Rhododendron neoglandulosum, growing up to tree line heights in colder high-altitude areas; and Rhododendron camchaticum, typically growing further inland along streambanks or ridges.

All parts of a rhododendron plant contain toxic compounds, particularly grayanotoxin that can cause severe symptoms if ingested. However, consuming large amounts can be fatal, minor contact may lead to nausea, vomiting, or dizziness.

Conclusion

As you can see there are various kinds of poison plants in Alaska that you should be aware of. Here is a summarized dangerous effect of some of the plants mentioned in this list,

• Cow parsnip is responsible for causing severe contact dermatitis if it touches anyone’s skin.

• Plants such as wild calla can make allergic reactions ranging from moderate irritation to severe inflammation.

• Spotted water hemlock can damage the cardiovascular system and nervous system if accidentally ingested too much.

• Bog rosemary can cause heart palpitations and provoke weakness in people as well as animals.

Now, you know all about these plants, and how they can go to different extremes with their levels of toxicity. For these dangers, these plants should be avoided at any cost.

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