There are living beings with a threatening appearance, with teeth the size of daggers or claws capable of ripping open a person’s chest with just one swipe of their paw.It is usually easier to identify a threat with this kind of obvious signs, which are a clear ‘unfriendly face’ that indicates that it might be a good idea to stay away from that animal.
However, There are many other animals or plants that have bright colors and are extremely deadly.Their appearance is a way of indicating to potential predators that they are loaded with more than lethal doses of the most potent poisons, so that they think twice before swallowing them in one bite.
This is the case of the ‘Phyllobates terribilis’ or poison dart frog, the deadliest amphibian ever recorded. At just five centimetres in length and with bright golden colours, a single gram of the toxins this batrachian carries would be enough to kill more than 15 adults.
Since they are not usually seen, Many people believe that there are no poisonous living beings in Spain, when the truth is that in our country there are quite a few plants and animals. capable of ending a life with great ease: vipers, frogs, centipedes, stingrays, spiders, bushes, ivy, thorn apple, etc. Not to mention the kingdom of fungi, Only experts should pick mushrooms, otherwise there is a high risk of poisoning..
An extremely poisonous plant very common in the Iberian Peninsula
The same thing happens with plants, although Spain is not the wild Amazon or the ever-deadly Australia.In our country, the fields are plagued by living beings that have high doses of toxins as a defense mechanism.Since they are not consumed or have a threatening appearance, we are not aware of the risks they pose to our lives.
One of these dangers that abound in the fields, mountains and even in some parts of Spanish cities are small plants with hundreds of small white flowers very innocent and ornamental looking. But despite her beautiful appearance, she was responsible for the death of the great Greek philosopher Socrates.among many other prominent figures of humanity who lost their lives to this plant.
This is hemlock, which actually gives its name to a genus of plants in the ‘Apiaceae’ family, which are native to the Northern Hemisphere and all of them highly poisonous.They are herbaceous and can grow up to one and a half to two and a half meters in height. The entire plant (stem, leaves, seeds, roots…) contains piperidine alkaloids, as well as several neurotoxins. capable of attacking the human central nervous system.
Eating this herbaceous species can be fatal and poses a very serious risk to health. That is why it is so important to know how to identify them, to to be able to prevent accidents that could happen to children or pets who come across one of these hemlock plants.
That is why the merchants and botanical disseminators of @pielnaturacosmetica shared a video on social networks Some tips to easily identify a hemlock plant and be prepared:
- The entire stem, especially the part closest to the ground, is covered with violet spots.
- The flowers are white and umbrella-shaped, with very small petals.
- The shape of the leaves is similar to that of parsley or carrots, so it is very important to check the entire plant carefully before harvesting anything.
As explained in the video, the neurotoxin known as ‘Cicutin’ present in this type of plants so common in Spain is very powerful, and can cause an adult’s respiratory system to stop in a short time.. If you suspect ingestion or contact with this plant, you should go to the doctor as soon as possible. emergency health service.