If you enjoy gardening or hiking in Maryland, knowing about poisonous plants in Maryland is essential for your safety. This guide will help you identify and handle the dangerous local flora that grows in our state.
Many common plants in our gardens and woods can cause skin irritation, stomach upset, or more serious health issues. Learning to recognize them is the first step to enjoying the outdoors without worry. Let’s look at some of the most frequently encountered ones.
Poisonous Plants In Maryland – Dangerous Local Flora
This list covers plants you might find in your yard, on trails, or in parks. Some are native, while others are invasive species. Always err on the side of caution if you’re unsure.
Poison Ivy: The Notorious Trio
“Leaves of three, let it be” is the classic warning for good reason. Poison ivy is widespread across Maryland. It contains urushiol, an oil that causes an itchy, blistering rash in most people.
- Identification: Look for clusters of three pointed leaves. The leaves can be shiny or dull, and the plant may grow as a vine, shrub, or ground cover. In fall, leaves turn red or orange.
- Where it grows: Woodlands, fences, riverbanks, and even in urban areas.
- What to do: If you contact it, wash the area with soap and cold water immediately. Clothes should be washed separately.
Poison Oak and Poison Sumac
While less common than poison ivy, these relatives also contain urushiol. Poison oak also has leaves in groups of three, but they have rounded lobes like oak leaves. Poison sumac is a tall shrub found in very wet, swampy areas; it has smooth-edged leaves arranged in pairs with a single leaf at the end.
Deadly Nightshade (Atropa belladonna)
This plant is highly toxic and all parts, especially the berries, are dangerous. It’s less common but can be found in some Maryland gardens or wild areas.
- Identification: Bell-shaped purple flowers and glossy black berries that look somewhat like cherries.
- Risk: Ingestion can affect the nervous system and be fatal. It’s crucial to teach children not to eat any wild berries.
Jimsonweed (Datura stramonium)
This large, foul-smelling annual weed is found in disturbed soils, like fields and roadsides. It’s entire plant is poisonous.
- Identification: Large, trumpet-shaped white or purple flowers and spiky seed pods.
- Risk: Accidental ingestion, sometimes by teens seeking its hallucinogenic effects, leads to severe poisoning requiring medical attention.
Pokeweed (Phytolacca americana)
This native plant is controversial. While young leaves are sometimes boiled and eaten (poke sallet), all parts of the mature plant—especially the roots and purple berries—are toxic.
- Identification: Large, simple leaves, red-purple stems, and clusters of dark purple berries that stain.
- Risk: The berries are tempting to children and birds, but they can cause severe vomiting and diarrhea.
Foxglove (Digitalis purpurea)
A popular garden ornamental, foxglove is beautiful but deadly. It’s the source of the heart medicine digitalis, but improper ingestion is extremely dangerous.
- Identification: Tall spikes of tubular, speckled flowers in pink, purple, or white.
- Risk: Eating any part of the plant can disrupt heart rhythm. Be cautious if you have it in your garden and small children or pets.
Mountain Laurel & Rhododendron
These attractive evergreen shrubs are common in Maryland landscapes and woods. All parts of the plant contain grayanotoxins.
- Risk: Honey made from their flowers (“mad honey”) or chewing on leaves can cause serious mouth pain, vomiting, and heart problems. It’s mainly a risk for grazing animals, but caution is wise.
Giant Hogweed: A Serious Threat
This invasive plant is a public health hazard. Its sap causes phytophotodermatitis, meaning it makes skin extremely sensitive to sunlight, leading to severe burns and blistering.
- Identification: A massive plant, up to 14 feet tall, with large, umbrella-shaped clusters of white flowers and leaves that are deeply incised. It looks like a huge version of Queen Anne’s Lace.
- What to do: Do NOT touch it. Report sightings to the Maryland Department of Agriculture immediately.
What to Do If You Touch or Ingest a Poisonous Plant
Acting quickly can minimize harm. Here are the steps to follow.
For Skin Contact (Like Poison Ivy)
- Rinse the skin immediately with lukewarm water and soap. Avoid hot water, as it can open pores and let the oil in.
- Scrub under fingernails with a brush.
- Wash all clothing, shoes, and tools that may have contacted the plant.
- Use calamine lotion or hydrocortisone cream for itching. Severe rashes may need a doctor’s visit.
For Accidental Ingestion
- Do not induce vomiting unless a poison control expert tells you to.
- Call the Poison Control Center immediately at 1-800-222-1222.
- If the person is unconscious, having trouble breathing, or having seizures, call 911 right away.
- Try to identify the plant. Take a photo or a sample with you to the hospital if you can do so safely.
Safe Gardening Practices Around Toxic Plants
A little planning goes a long way in preventing accidents. These tips will help you stay safe while you enjoy your garden.
- Wear Protective Gear: When handling unknown plants or weeding, wear long sleeves, long pants, gloves, and closed-toe shoes.
- Educate Your Household: Make sure everyone in your home, especially children, knows which plants are off-limits.
- Supervise Pets: Dogs and cats can also be affected by poisonous plants. Watch them in the yard and know the signs of pet poisoning.
- Remove with Care: For plants like poison ivy, consider using a commercial herbicide or hiring a professional. If removing manually, seal all plant parts in plastic bags for disposal—do not compost or burn them.
Common Look-Alikes: Harmless vs. Harmful
Many safe plants are mistaken for dangerous ones. Here’s how to tell the difference.
- Virginia Creeper vs. Poison Ivy: Virginia creeper has five leaflets, not three. It’s generally harmless, though some people get a mild rash from it.
- Queen Anne’s Lace vs. Giant Hogweed: Queen Anne’s Lace is smaller (3-4 feet tall), has a hairy stem, and often a single purple flower in the center of its white cluster. Giant Hogweed is enormous with smooth, blotchy purple stems.
- Wild Grapes vs. Poison Ivy: Wild grape vines have tendrils and lack the triple-leaf formation. Their bark is often shreddy, unlike poison ivy vines which appear hairy from aerial roots.
FAQ: Your Questions Answered
What are some common toxic plants found in Maryland backyards?
Common backyard risks include poison ivy, foxglove, lily of the valley, daffodil bulbs, rhododendron, and yew shrubs. Even common plants like tomatoes and potatoes have toxic leaves and stems.
How can I safely remove poison ivy from my property?
Wear full protection. Cut the vine at the base and carefully dig out the roots. Apply herbicide to the fresh cut stem if needed. Bag everything in heavy-duty plastic bags and label them for trash disposal. Never use a weed-whacker, as it sprays particles.
Are there any Maryland native plants that are poisonous to touch?
Yes. Besides poison ivy and poison sumac, stinging nettle (which isn’t technically poisonous but causes a painful sting) and wild parsnip (which, like giant hogweed, can cause phototoxic burns) are natives to be cautious of.
What should I do if my dog eats a potentially poisonous plant?
Contact your veterinarian or the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center (888-426-4435) immediately. Note the plant your dog ate, how much, and when. Symptoms like vomiting, drooling, or lethargy require urgent care.
Can you get a rash from burning poisonous plants?
Absolutely. Burning plants like poison ivy releases urushiol particles into the air. Inhaling this smoke can cause a severe rash in your lungs and on your skin, which is a medical emergency. Never burn these plants.
Staying informed is your best defense against the risks posed by poisonous plants in Maryland. By learning to identify the dangerous local flora in your area, you can garden with confidence and hike with peace of mind. Always keep the number for poison control saved in your phone, and when in doubt, don’t touch or taste it. With this knowledge, you can safely appreciate the full beauty of Maryland’s natural landscapes.