If you enjoy spending time outdoors in Tennessee, knowing about the local flora is essential for safety. This guide covers the key information on poisonous plants in Tennessee – deadly native species you should recognize.
Many beautiful plants in our woods and fields have toxic properties. They can cause serious skin irritation, severe illness, or even be fatal if ingested. Learning to identify them helps you appreciate nature’s beauty while avoiding its dangers.
Poisonous Plants In Tennessee – Deadly Native Species
Tennessee’s diverse ecosystems, from the Smoky Mountains to the central basin, are home to several highly toxic native plants. While they play a role in the environment, they pose significant risks to people and pets. Let’s look at the most dangerous ones.
1. Water Hemlock (Cicuta maculata)
Often called the most violently toxic plant in North America. All parts of Water Hemlock are poisonous, especially the roots. It contains cicutoxin, which attacks the central nervous system.
It grows in wet areas like marshes, stream banks, and ditches. It looks similar to Queen Anne’s Lace but is much more dangerous.
- Identification: Grows 3 to 6 feet tall. Has smooth, hollow stems with purple streaks. Leaves are toothed and lance-shaped. Small white flowers form in umbrella-like clusters.
- Toxicity: Ingestion can cause violent seizures, stomach cramps, and respiratory failure. It has been responsible for numerous human fatalities.
- What to Do: If you suspect ingestion, seek emergency medical help immediately. Do not induce vomiting unless directed by a professional.
2. Poison Hemlock (Conium maculatum)
This is the plant famously used in the execution of Socrates. It’s a biennial that has spread widely across Tennessee. Every part of this plant is toxic.
It contains coniine alkaloids, which can paralyze the respiratory muscles. It often grows in disturbed areas, roadsides, and vacant lots.
- Identification: Can reach 8 feet tall. Its stem is hairless and has distinctive purple blotches. The leaves are fern-like. The flowers are small and white, arranged in umbrella clusters.
- Toxicity: Symptoms include trembling, salivation, dilated pupils, muscle paralysis, and death from respiratory failure. The roots are mistaken for wild parsnips, and the leaves for parsley.
3. White Baneberry (Actaea pachypoda)
Also known as “Doll’s Eyes” for its creepy, distinctive fruit. This woodland plant is found in rich, shady forests across the state. The entire plant is poisonous, but the white berries with a black dot are the most toxic part.
They contain cardiogenic toxins that can sedate the heart muscle.
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Identification: Grows 1 to 2 feet tall. It has compound toothed leaves. In late summer, it produces a stalk of white flowers that develop into the signature white berries on thick red stalks.
- Toxicity: Eating the berries can lead to dizziness, stomach cramps, headache, and potentially cardiac arrest. The berries are especially attractive to children.
4. Jimsonweed (Datura stramonium)
This annual plant is also called thorn apple or devil’s trumpet. It’s found in fields, along roadsides, and in barnyards. All parts of Jimsonweed are poisonous, containing tropane alkaloids like scopolamine and atropine.
Historically, it has been used as a hallucinogen, but this is extremely dangerous and unpredictable.
- Identification: Grows 3 to 5 feet tall. It has large, irregularly lobed leaves. Its trumpet-shaped flowers can be white or purple. The seed pod is spiny and round.
- Toxicity: Causes severe thirst, blurred vision, delirium, rapid heart rate, convulsions, coma, and death. Even handling the plant can sometimes cause skin irritation.
Plants That Cause Severe Skin Reactions
Not all dangerous plants need to be eaten to cause harm. Some cause painful skin blisters and rashes upon contact.
Poison Ivy (Toxicodendron radicans)
“Leaves of three, let it be” is the classic warning for good reason. This vine or shrub is ubiquitous in Tennessee. It contains urushiol oil, which triggers an allergic reaction in most people.
- Identification: Compound leaves with three almond-shaped leaflets. The middle leaflet has a longer stalk. Leaves can be shiny or dull, with smooth or toothed edges. It may have white berries.
- Reaction: Contact leads to red, itchy rash, blisters, and severe swelling. The oil can stick to clothing, tools, and pet fur, causing re-exposure.
Poison Sumac (Toxicodendron vernix)
This is the most potent skin-irritating plant in North America. It grows in very wet, swampy areas. It’s less common than poison ivy but far more reactive.
- Identification: A tall shrub or small tree, 5 to 20 feet tall. It has 7 to 13 smooth leaflets arranged in pairs along a central stem, with one leaflet at the end. In fall, it has drooping clusters of pale yellow or cream-colored berries.
- Reaction: Causes an extremely severe, blistering rash that can cover large areas of the body. Breathing in smoke from burning poison sumac is a serious medical emergency.
How to Safely Remove Poisonous Plants
If you find these plants in your yard, removal requires caution. Here is a step-by-step approach.
- Wear Protective Clothing: Use long sleeves, long pants, gloves, and closed-toe shoes. Consider disposable coveralls for highly toxic plants.
- Choose the Right Time: Remove plants on a calm day to prevent wind from carrying seeds or hairs. Ensure the plant is dry to avoid spreading oils.
- Dig Out the Roots: For perennials like hemlock, use a shovel or garden fork to remove the entire root system. Cutting alone often leads to regrowth.
- Dispose Properly: Place all plant parts in heavy-duty garbage bags. Do not compost or burn them. Burning can release toxic fumes.
- Clean Tools and Clothing: Wash all tools with soap and water or rubbing alcohol. Wash clothing separately in hot water with detergent.
Protecting Children and Pets
Kids and animals are especially vulnerable because of their curiosity and smaller body size.
- Education: Teach children not to put any part of a plant in their mouth. Use clear rules like “always ask an adult first.”
- Supervision: Watch young children closely in areas where wild plants grow. Be aware of what’s growing in your own backyard.
- Pet Safety: Dogs may chew on plants out of boredom. Know the symptoms of plant poisoning in pets: vomiting, diarrhea, drooling, lethargy, or tremors. Contact your vet immediately if you suspect poisoning.
- Landscaping Choices: If you have curious pets or small children, consider removing known toxic plants from your property and replacing them with safe alternatives.
What to Do in Case of Exposure
Acting quickly is crucial. Here’s what you need to know.
For Skin Contact (Poison Ivy/Sumac):
- Rinse the skin immediately with lukewarm water and soap. Avoid hot water, which can open pores and let the oil in.
- Scrub under fingernails. Use an alcohol wipe if soap and water aren’t available.
- Apply calamine lotion or hydrocortisone cream to relieve itching later. Severe reactions may require a doctor’s visit for prescription steroids.
For Suspected Ingestion:
- Call for Help Immediately: Dial the Tennessee Poison Center at 1-800-222-1222 or 911. Do not wait for symptoms to appear.
- Do not induce vomiting unless instructed by a poison control expert or doctor.
- If possible, identify the plant. Take a photo or bring a sample (safely contained) to help with identification.
- Monitor the person’s breathing and consciousness until help arrives.
Common Misidentifications to Avoid
Many poisonous plants look like harmless or even edible ones. This is a major source of accidents.
- Wild Carrot vs. Hemlock: Wild Carrot (Queen Anne’s Lace) has a hairy stem and smells like carrot. Hemlock stems are hairless with purple spots and smell musty.
- Wild Grapes vs. Poison Ivy: Young grape leaves can be confused with poison ivy. Remember: grape vines have forked tendrils and no aerial roots; poison ivy has hairy-looking aerial roots.
- Elderberry vs. Water Hemlock: Elderberry has woody stems and berries that grow in a flat cluster. Water Hemlock has smooth, non-woody stems and flowers/seed heads in umbrella clusters.
FAQ: Poisonous Tennessee Plants
Q: What is the most deadly plant in Tennessee?
A: Water Hemlock is widely considered the most deadly due to its potent toxin that quickly attacks the nervous system.
Q: Are there any poisonous plants in Tennessee that look like edible berries?
A: Yes. White Baneberry (“Doll’s Eyes”) has white berries that look unique but are tempting. Pokeweed berries are dark purple and toxic, though young leaves are edible if prepared correctly (not recommended for beginners).
Q: Can you get a rash from touching Deadly Nightshade?
A: While the primary danger of Deadly Nightshade (Atropa belladonna) is ingestion, sensitive individuals may experience skin irritation from handling it. Always wear gloves.
Q: How can I learn to identify these plants better?
A: Use a reliable field guide specific to the Southeastern US. Consider joining a local hiking group or taking a workshop with a botanist or park ranger. The University of Tennessee Extension Service also has excellent resources.
Q: Is it illegal to grow these poisonous plants in my garden?
A: Generally, no, but it is highly irresponsible if you have visitors, children, or pets. You could be liable if someone is harmed. Its best to remove them and choose native, non-toxic plants instead.
Enjoying Tennessee’s natural beauty comes with a responsibility to understand its risks. By learning to identify these poisonous native species, you can ensure your hikes, gardening, and outdoor adventures are safe for everyone. Always err on the side of caution—if you’re not sure what a plant is, don’t touch it and definitely don’t eat it. Keep the number for poison control saved in your phone: 1-800-222-1222.