If you enjoy spending time in Ohio’s woods, fields, or even your own backyard, it’s smart to know about the poisonous plants in Ohio. Several dangerous native species look harmless but can cause serious health issues.
This guide will help you identify them. We’ll focus on visual features, where they grow, and the specific risks they pose. Knowing this information keeps you, your family, and your pets safe during outdoor adventures.
Poisonous Plants In Ohio – Dangerous Native Species
Ohio is home to a variety of native plants, and a handful pack a toxic punch. Some cause skin irritation, while others are dangerous if ingested. Let’s look at the most common ones you should recognize on sight.
Poison Hemlock (Conium maculatum)
This is one of the most toxic plants in North America. All parts of poison hemlock are poisonous. It’s a biennial plant, meaning it lives for two years.
- Identification: Grows 3 to 8 feet tall. Has smooth, hollow stems with distinctive purple spots or streaks. The leaves are fern-like and lacy. It produces small, white flowers in umbrella-shaped clusters.
- Where it grows: Loves damp areas. You’ll find it along roadsides, ditches, stream banks, and in open fields.
- The Danger: Contains alkaloids that attack the nervous system. Ingestion can lead to trembling, salivation, dilated pupils, and potentially respiratory failure. It’s important to note that this plant is often mistaken for wild carrot or Queen Anne’s lace.
Wild Parsnip (Pastinaca sativa)
Wild parsnip is notorious for its severe skin reaction. The plant’s sap is the main problem.
- Identification: Grows 2 to 5 feet tall. It has grooved, hairless stems. The leaves are compound with saw-toothed edges. It produces broad, flat clusters of small yellow flowers.
- Where it grows: Common in sunny areas like roadsides, pastures, and abandoned fields.
- The Danger: Sap contains chemicals called furanocoumarins. When sap gets on skin and that skin is exposed to sunlight, it causes a condition called phytophotodermatitis. This leads to painful burns, blisters, and long-lasting scars. Always wear gloves and long sleeves if you need to handle it.
Poison Ivy (Toxicodendron radicans)
Almost everyone has heard of poison ivy. Its “leaves of three” rhyme is a classic for good reason.
- Identification: Grows as a vine, a shrub, or a ground cover. The hallmark is its clusters of three pointed leaves. Leaves can be shiny or dull, with smooth or notched edges. In fall, they turn bright red or orange. It may have white berries.
- Where it grows: Extremely adaptable. Found in forests, along trails, in your yard, and even in urban parks.
- The Danger: Contains urushiol oil. This oil casues an itchy, blistering rash in most people upon contact. The oil can stick to clothing, tools, and pet fur, leading to indirect exposure. Remember: “Leaves of three, let it be.”
Jimsonweed (Datura stramonium)
Jimsonweed is a dramatic-looking plant with a dangerous history. All parts are toxic.
- Identification: A large, bushy annual plant. It has large, irregularly-lobed leaves. It produces striking, trumpet-shaped white or purple flowers that open in the evening. Its spiny, round seed pods are very distinctive.
- Where it grows: Prefers disturbed soils. Look for it in barnyards, feedlots, gardens, and along roads.
- The Danger: Contains potent alkaloids like atropine and scopolamine. Ingestion causes hallucinations, confusion, rapid heart rate, dilated pupils, and can be fatal. It’s sometimes called “loco weed” for its effects on livestock.
White Baneberry (Actaea pachypoda)
Also known as “Doll’s Eyes,” this woodland plant is more tempting than it looks.
- Identification: A perennial that grows 1 to 2 feet tall. It has compound, toothed leaves. In late spring, it produces a cluster of small white flowers. By late summer, it forms its most recognizable feature: white berries with a single dark purple spot, resembling doll eyes, on a thick red stalk.
- Where it grows: Native to rich, deciduous forests in Ohio.
- The Danger: All parts are poisonous, but the berries are especially toxic. Ingestion can cause sedation, dizziness, increased pulse, and severe stomach cramps. The berries are attractive to children, so teach them to avoid it.
What to Do If You Come Into Contact
Accidents happen. Here’s a step-by-step guide for different types of exposure.
For Skin Contact (Like Poison Ivy or Wild Parsnip Sap):
- Act quickly. Rinse the affected skin with cool water and soap as soon as possible. For poison ivy, use a specialized wash like Tecnu if available.
- Scrub under your fingernails to remove any trapped oil.
- Wash any clothing, shoes, or tools that may have touched the plant separately.
- Use calamine lotion or hydrocortisone cream to releive itching for minor rashes. For severe reactions, especially from wild parsnip, see a doctor.
If a Plant Is Ingested:
- Do not induce vomiting unless a medical professional tells you to.
- Try to identify the plant. Take a photo or bring a sample if it’s safe to do so.
- Call the Poison Control Center immediately at 1-800-222-1222.
- Go to the emergency room if symptoms like difficulty breathing, swelling, or seizures occur.
Safe Removal From Your Property
If you find these plants in your yard, you’ll want to remove them safely. Here’s how.
- Wear Protective Gear: Always wear long sleeves, long pants, gloves, and closed-toe shoes. For plants like wild parsnip, consider eye protection.
- Choose the Right Time: Remove plants on a cloudy day to minimize sunlight activation of sap. Do it when the plants are dry.
- Manual Removal: For small patches, dig out the entire root system with a shovel or garden fork. Place the plant directly into a heavy-duty trash bag.
- Disposal: Do not compost or burn poisonous plants. Burning poison ivy, for example, can vaporize the oils and cause serious lung irritation. Seal them in bags and dispose with household trash.
- Clean Tools and Gear: Thoroughly clean all tools, gloves, and clothing after the job is done.
Common Look-Alikes: Don’t Be Fooled
Many poisonous plants have harmless doubles. Here’s a quick comparison to avoid confusion.
Poison Hemlock vs. Queen Anne’s Lace:
Both have white, umbrella-shaped flower clusters. However, Poison Hemlock has smooth, purple-spotted stems and a taller, more branching form. Queen Anne’s Lace has a single, hairy stem, often with a single dark purple flower in the center of the cluster, and a carroty smell.
Wild Parsnip vs. Golden Alexander:
Both have yellow flowers. Wild Parsnip has broader flower clusters and grooved stems. Golden Alexander has smaller, more rounded flower clusters and smooth stems. Its leaves are also more finely divided.
FAQ: Poisonous Ohio Plants
Are there any poisonous berries in Ohio?
Yes. Besides White Baneberry, other dangerous berries include Pokeweed (dark purple berries on pink stems) and the berries of the Jack-in-the-Pulpit plant. It’s best to teach children never to eat any wild berry unless an expert has identified it.
What is the most dangerous plant in Ohio?
Poison Hemlock is considered the most dangerously toxic due to its potent alkaloids that can be fatal if ingested, even in small amounts. Water Hemlock is another extremely toxic species found in wet areas of the state.
Can my pets get sick from these plants?
Absolutely. Dogs and cats can be affected by poison ivy, hemlock, and others. Symptoms can include vomiting, diarrhea, drooling, or skin irritation. Keep pets away from these plants and consult a vet if you suspect exposure.
How can I learn to identify plants better?
Consider using a reliable field guide specific to Ohio or the Midwest. You can also take a class with your local Ohio State University Extension office or a native plant society. Using plant identification apps can be helpful, but always double-check with a second source.
Is it okay to touch poison ivy if I don’t get a rash?
No. Sensitivity to urushiol oil can develope at any time. Just because you haven’t reacted before doesn’t mean you won’t have a severe reaction in the future. It’s always safest to avoid contact completely.
Being aware of the poisonous plants in Ohio is the first step to staying safe. By learning to identify these dangerous native species, you can enjoy Ohio’s beautiful natural spaces with confidence. Take a moment to look at pictures of these plants before your next hike or gardening session. A little knowledge goes a long way in preventing unpleasant or harmful encounters.