12 Poisonous Plants in Colorado You Should Be Aware of

Poisonous plants in Colorado can cause injury to humans and animals if necessary measures are not followed. It is critical to understand which plants in Colorado are dangerous or toxic to prevent getting in touch with them.

We have included a list of several hazardous plants found in Colorado in this post. Check out the plants listed below.

Different Kinds of Poisonous Plants in Colorado

1. Poison Hemlock

Poison Hemlock is a highly toxic plant species in the carrot family native to Europe, North Africa, and parts of Asia, as well as naturalized in many temperate regions around the world including Colorado, and how it grows in the weather of this state. It can grow up to nine feet tall, with an vertical stem covered in purple or red spots and large leaves.

Its flowers form umbrella-shaped clusters that vary between white, pink, or purple. Ingestion or contact with the toxin in its leaves, stems, fruits, and aerial parts can lead to severe consequences such as respiratory paralysis would also occur.

2. Poison Ivy

The plant known as Poison ivy is a toxic species native to North America, including the state of Colorado. This poisonous species can be highly dangerous, especially due to its prominence in the environment and its ability to spread quickly. It grows as both a vine and a shrub, with characteristic leaves that are typically three leaflets per stem.

When coming into contact with this plant, severe allergic reactions such as rashes or burning sensations may occur, making knowledge of any growing poison ivy important for those living or visiting Colorado.

3. Meadow Death Camas

Meadow death camas is a commonly found poisonous plant in Colorado and other regions of North America. This perennial herbaceous plant can be observed blooming from April to July every year and generally grows about three feet tall. It is part of the Orchid family and consists of small white flowers that form umbrella-like shapes when they mature, however, unlike the rest of the members of this family, this one is poisonous, with different consequences.

Although it appears attractive, ingesting any part of this plant can lead to serious repercussions such as digestion issues, vomiting, nausea, weakness, paralysis, or even death if left untreated for an extensive amount of time, which means, you should see a medical expert, and heal this issue.

4. Western Water Hemlock

The Western water hemlock, a poisonous plant found in wet areas of the western United States, is especially prominent in Colorado. It is particularly toxic to livestock and can even be fatal if ingested in a bigger quantity. This tall perennial grows up to seven feet in height and produces small green flowers.

The leaves have jagged edges with three leaflets each, while the stems contain a white sap that can cause blistering and other skin irritations when touched. Additionally, it contains cicutoxinwhich causes neurological effects such as seizures and paralysis.

5. Flowering Spurge

Flowering Spurge is a common poisonous plant throughout Colorado and neighboring states. These annual or biennial herbaceous species grow in landscapes, pastures, and sandy habitats. Identifiable by its numerous heads of small, lemon-yellow flowers, the flowering spurge can reach heights up to two feet tall.

Due to its milky sap which contains toxic diterpenoid esters known as euphorbol esters, contact with this plant may be hazardous, as this liquid is pretty venomous. Symptoms from contact such as skin rashes or allergic reactions are most commonly observed. On the other hand, it is more severe as it is ingested, because it can be particularly serious, leading to seizures and death in horses and other livestock animals.

6. Snowdrop

Snowdrop is a toxic flowering plant native to Europe, but has also been cultivated for gardens in Colorado. Its white flowers have a distinctive star-like shape, making it undeniably beautiful but highly poisonous if ingested. Aside from gastrointestinal discomfort that can be caused by ingesting its bulb or flowers, some of its more serious oleander-toxin-related symptoms include blurred vision and irregular heartbeat.

On another note, some further analysis also shows that the presence of snowdrops in soil may reduce the fertility of soils due to the accumulation of toxins in growing stems and leaves. Which means that one must be giving extra care regarding this aspect, when planting this poisonous species.

7. Cardinal Flower

The cardinal flower is a wildflower native to the eastern United States, parts of Mexico, and various areas of Colorado, it is one of the most loved and popular blossoms. Even though it is loved, but this showy flower is highly toxic, as it contains high levels of quinolizidine alkaloids which can cause severe gastrointestinal discomfort if ingested, which would take some time to heal, as your stomach would be in a stressful situation.

Its striking red-orange blooms can grow up to three feet tall and attract pollinators such as hummingbirds and butterflies. Germination usually occurs in the spring and during the summer months, its long-lasting flowers will sporadically bloom from July through October. It prefers wetter environments commonly found at higher elevations.

8. Castor Beans

The castor bean plant is a common poisonous plant found in many areas of Colorado. It contains ricin, which is an extremely toxic chemical that can easily be absorbed through ingestion or inhalation and can cause severe illness however an extreme case may even lead to death.

Depending on the concentration of ricin, symptoms may include abdominal pain, nausea and vomiting, tremors, seizures, and respiratory failure. Ingesting as few as four to eight seeds may be fatal to a human adult, making it especially hazardous to children who may not recognize its dangerous nature.

9. Colorado Blue Columbine

The Colorado Blue Columbine is a beautiful and poisonous plant native to the mountains of Colorado, Wyoming, Montana, Utah, and New Mexico. It is the state flower of Colorado and can grow up to two feet tall with blue flowers that have yellow centers. 

What you should be mindful about it is that the foliage is toxic both topically and internally, which means whether you touch it or eat it, it would be harmful. Ingesting any part of the plant can produce symptoms such as salivation, nausea, vomiting, weakness, and dizziness.

It also contains a dangerous compound known as Protoanemonin which can cause inflammation if it comes into contact with the skin. Furthermore, because this plant grows easily in disturbed soils it is often tricky to control its growth.

10. Caladium

Caladium is a toxic plant that can be found in the tropical regions of South and Central America, as well as parts of Colorado. This genus includes several species of ornamental plants with large leaves with white, cream, pinkish, or reddish veins.

All parts of the caladium plant are poisonous when one would ingest it and can cause abdominal pain, cramps, vomiting, and bloody diarrhea. The plant contains calcium oxalate crystals which irritate the mucous membranes when eaten. On the other hand, skin contact may also cause irritation or an allergic reaction in some people, and would feature a rash like symptom.

11. Myrtle Spurge

Myrtle Spurge is an exotic invasive species native to Mediterranean Europe, some parts of North Africa, and Central Asia, and can now be found across much of the United States. In the state of Colorado, it is a very troublesome weed that spreads quickly and invades gardens and barren areas alike.

The most well-known characteristic of this weed is its latex sap or white milky juice which contains toxins. These venomous liquid are known to have an irritating characteristic regarding contact to the skin, eyes, and gastrointestinal tract when ingested by humans or animals. As a result, people are encouraged to wear long clothing and protective gloves while cultivating this plant.

12. African Rue

African Rue is an invasive plant native to the Mediterranean Region and has become highly proliferated in certain semi-arid parts of Colorado. It is a poisonous plant that contains many potentially dangerous alkaloids, including various pyridine alkaloids and the toxin selenium.

African Rue can cause swollen mucous membranes, eye irritation, vomiting, and diarrhea in humans if eaten in large quantities, while livestock may suffer more severe symptoms such as paralysis or death if ingested, as a result of suffocation.

Conclusion

Different poisonous plants in Colorado can cause different harm to humans and animals as you have already seen here. To sum up some of the dangers,

• Cardinal flower which is found in Colorado can cause severe gastrointestinal discomfort.

• Castor bean plants can provoke abdominal pain, nausea, vomiting, and many other problems.

• Colorado blue columbine can be responsible for different problems such as dizziness, skin inflammation, etc.

To keep yourself safe from such dangers you must avoid these plants in Colorado, in order to avoid all kinds of stress, whether it is a topical one, or an intestinal one, the consequences would be of a different scale.

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