Poisonous plants in Texas deserve some attention so that necessary safety precautions are put in place. The same applies to poisonous flowers in Texas.
In this article, we will outline various plants that are poisonous in Texas so that you know the plants to look out for and how you can possibly be safe around them.
Contents
A Comprehensive List of Poisonous Plants in Texas
Some of the poisonous plants in Texas are poison ivy, elephant ear, poison oak, poison hemlock, poison sumac, and Texas bull nettle. Sometimes, these are categorized as poisonous plants to touch in Texas.
In this section, we will explore what you need to know about these poisonous plants, including their distinguishing characteristics, growing season and common pests. In some instances, we will also give you hints on the actions to take against the negative effects of these plants.
1. Poison Ivy
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The poison ivy can grow as a vine, tree, or small bush so it can be classified among poisonous shrubs in Texas. If you get into contact with this plant, you will begin to see small blisters and a rash that is itchy, within a minimum of 12 hours. One of the best interventions that you can use under such circumstances is washing the skin and then applying hydrocortisone. We suggest removing it as soon as possible, but be extra careful.
2. Poison Hemlock
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This is one of the poisonous plants in Texas for dogs. Some of the symptoms of poison hemlock poisoning include vomiting and seizures. Unfortunately, there is no antidote for this type of poisoning, though the symptoms can be managed using various drugs that are recommended by health professionals. Therefore, we recommend that you remove the plant from your yard once you identify it. It might be a bit difficult to identify it because there are a few plants that look very similar to Poison Hemlock.
3. Texas Bull Nettle
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The sap and hairy spikes that cover the leaves of these plants are the ones that trigger allergic reactions upon contact with your skin. If by any chance you touch the plant, you will experience a stinging sensation that will stick around for beyond an hour.
To better manage the pain, you can use a homemade, cost-effective remedy that is made by mixing baking soda with water. Thoroughly mix the ingredients until a paste is formed and this can neutralize the acidic nature of the poison from the Texas bull nettle.
4. Poison Sumac
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The allergy symptoms that are caused by the poison sumac are similar to those that emanate from contact with the poison ivy. These include rash, blisters, and swelling. Immediately after contact has been established between the plant and your skin, use soap alongside large amounts of water to wash the affected area.
You can also apply hydrocortisone creams to alleviate the pain as you make arrangements to get professional medical attention.
5. Poison Oak
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This plant harbors an oily substance that is called urushiol. This substance is responsible for the rash that is experienced by people who come into contact with the poison oak. It is also important to note that urushiol has long-lasting potency and that this substance can cling to pets or clothes, even up to a couple of months.
The moment you get into contact with the poison oak, wash your skin using cold water and a string of soap, within a period of 10 minutes.
6. Water Hemlock
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The water hemlock belongs to the carrot family of plants. This plant has potent toxicity, to the extent that it can take a life in just 10 minutes of exposure to its poison. Just one fact to note – despite the extreme toxicity of the water hemlock, this plant has remarkable medicinal properties against intestinal worms, migraine headaches and pain that is associated with menstruation.
Conclusion
If you were wondering which poisonous plants grow in Texas, we have just comprehensively answered your question. Let’s go through a few reminders before you go:
- Some of the poisonous plants that grow in Texas are the poison sumac, poison ivy, water hemlock and poison oak.
- The symptoms that these plants cause vary from lighter rashes to seizures, while some, like the water hemlock, can even kill in just 10 minutes of contact.
- Most of the plants that we discussed prefer full sun.
- Some of the poisonous plants have medicinal properties for treating ailments such as migraine headaches.
We highly recommend that you exercise caution around the poisonous plants that we outlined in this article. Continue being a plant enthusiast but be sure to play it safe for yourself, as well as your pets and loved ones!
References
- https://kingwood247er.com/poisonous-texas-plants/
- https://www.baylor.edu/lakewaco_wetlands/index.php?id=34733
- https://www.britannica.com/plant/poison-sumac
- https://www.jstor.org/stable/3998628
- https://www.jstor.org/stable/3998628
- https://www.jstor.org/stable/3998628
- https://www.maine.gov/dacf/mfs/forest_health/insects/hemlock_woolly_adelgid_fact_sheet.htm
- https://uwm.edu/field-station/wildflower-watch-water-hemlock/\
- https://www.webmd.com/vitamins/ai/ingredientmono-948/water-hemlock
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