• Plant Family: Ranunculaceae (Crowfoot family)
• Common Names / Synonyms: aconite, monkshood, wolfsbane, wolf’s hat, leopard’s bane, devil’s helmet, Thor’s hat, wolf’s hat
• Habitat: Mountainous regions of North America, Europe, and Asia
• USDA Hardiness: Zones 3-8
• Constituents: diterpenoid alkaloids (aconitine, mesaconitine, napelline, hypaconitine)

Toxicity: All parts of all species are deadly toxic. Ingestion can result in the painful burning of the mouth and throat, stomach pain, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, headache, slowed heart rate, confusion, blurred vision, confusion, delirium, convulsions, paralysis, coma, and death due to lung and heart failure. Skin contact with the fresh plant sap can result in poisoning.

Notes: Aconites are some of the most poisonous plants on the planet. They have been used by humans since prehistory to poison weapons for hunting and warfare. There are over 250 different Aconitum species including several native to North America in mountainous regions with cold winters.

• Plant Family: Solanaceae (Nightshade)
• Common Names / Synonyms: deadly nightshade, banewort, belledame, death’s herb, devil’s cherries, dwale, sleeping nightshade, sorcerer’s berry, witch’s berry, wolf’s berry
• Habitat: Europe, the British Isles, North Africa, and Iran.
• Height: 80-90 cm (2.7-3 feet)
• USDA Hardiness: Zones 6-9
• Constituents: atropine, hyoscyamine, and scopolamine.

Toxicity: All parts are deadly toxic and can result in anticholinergic poisoning if ingested. Symptoms can include restlessness, aggression, agitation, red flushed skin, dilated pupils, inability to sweat or salivate, urinary retention, confusion, dizziness, short-term memory loss, blurry vision, irregular breathing, irregular heartbeat, lethargy, delirium, coma, and possibly death. 

Poisoning can also occur from skin contact with crushed or broken parts of the live plant. Do not use if pregnant or breastfeeding. Keep away from children.  Do not ingest except for flower essences. Should not be used internally except under  the supervision of an experienced healthcare practitioner.

Notes: Belladonna is many things: a deadly poison, a potent medicine, a sacred plant since prehistory, a plot device in ancient and modern literature, and the ultimate witches’ herb. It is so beloved of the Devil, it’s said he only leaves it unattended on May Eve while he is busy being worshipped at the witches’ sabbath. Of the witches’ flying ointment recipes surviving today, almost all of them contain belladonna and it is usually the main active ingredient.

Ancient Greek mythology and literature ties belladonna to famous witches like Circe and Medea who learned about it from the titans Hekate and Prometheus. The whole Atropa genus is named for Atropos, one of the primodial “Three Fates” who are the dark children of Nyx (night) along with sleep (Hypnos), dream (Oneiros), death (Thanatos) and others. Atropos is the one who cuts the individual threads of life that leads to all our deaths. Though belladonna is named for Atropos, in mythology poisons like it were birthed by Hekate and knowledge of their use was taught by her. It is often connected to pagan initiation ceremonies and rites of passage much like its fellow poisonous nightshades. Belladonna also has associations with the ancient ecstatic cults of Artemis and Dionysus, the planet and deity Saturn, death, necromancy, the underworld, and the ancestors.

• Plant Family: Solanaceae (Nightshade)
• Habitat: Europe, the British Isles, North Africa, and Iran.
• Height: 80-90 cm (2.7-3 feet)
• USDA Hardiness: Zones 6-9
• Constituents: atropine, hyoscyamine, and scopolamine.

Toxicity: All parts are deadly toxic and can result in anticholinergic poisoning if ingested. Symptoms can include: restlessness, aggression, agitation, red flushed skin, dilated pupils, inability to sweat or salivate, urinary retention, confusion, dizziness, short-term memory loss, blurry vision, irregular breathing, irregular heartbeat, lethargy, delirium, coma, and possibly death. 

Poisoning can also occur from skin contact with crushed or broken parts of the live plant. Do not use if pregnant or breastfeeding. Keep away from children.  Do not ingest except for flower essences. Should not be used internally except under  the supervision of an experienced healthcare practitioner.

Notes: Belladonna is many things: a deadly poison, a potent medicine, a sacred plant since prehistory, a plot device in ancient and modern literature, and the ultimate witches’ herb. It is so beloved of the Devil, it’s said he only leaves it unattended on May Eve while he is busy being worshipped at the witches’ sabbath. Of the witches’ flying ointment recipes surviving today, almost all of them contain belladonna and it is usually the main active ingredient.

Ancient Greek mythology and literature ties belladonna to famous witches like Circe and Medea who learned about it from the titans Hekate and Prometheus. The whole Atropa genus is named for Atropos, one of the primodial “Three Fates” who are the dark children of Nyx (night) along with sleep (Hypnos), dream (Oneiros), death (Thanatos) and others. Atropos is the one who cuts the individual threads of life that leads to all our deaths. Though belladonna is named for Atropos, in mythology poisons like it were birthed by Hekate and knowledge of their use was taught by her. It is often connected to pagan initiation ceremonies and rites of passage much like its fellow poisonous nightshades. Belladonna also has associations with the ancient ecstatic cults of Artemis and Dionysus, the planet and deity Saturn, death, necromancy, the underworld, and the ancestors.

• Plant Family: Solanaceae (Nightshade)
• Common Names / Synonyms: woody nightshade, felonwort, garden nightshade, nightshade vine, scarlet berry
• Habitat: UK, Europe, North Africa, Asia, and North America.
• Height: 1-4 metres (3.3-13 feet)
• USDA Hardiness: Zones 4-8

Toxicity: All parts are toxic. Ingestion can be harmful or deadly to children and pets. For external use only unless under supervision by an experienced healthcare practitioner. Do not ingest except for flower essences.

Notes: Bittersweet nightshade (solanum dulcamara) is a poisonous perennial climbing vine with clusters of purple flowers and red berries found throughout temperate areas of the northern hemisphere. It shares the folk name “deadly nightshade” with belladonna due to its poisonous red berries. It’s purple flowers, red berries, and purple autumn foliage make for an attractive ornamental vine. The bark of mature vines and roots is used in traditional herbal medicine for external preparations such as poultices and ointments for treating wounds and skin issues.

• Plant Family: Solanaceae (Nightshade)
• Types: Solanum nigrum, Solanum americanum, 
• Habitat: Different species are found across continents and have naturalized in many temperate and subtropical regions.
• USDA Hardiness: Zones 5-9
• Constituents: solanine

Toxicity: Green unripe berries and mature leaves are mildly toxic  resulting in stomache pain, nausea, and headache. The ripe black berries and new shoots and leaves of certain species are edible, especially after cooking. The young leaves are eaten as a potherb in many cultures after properly processing by simmering in 2-3 changes of water. Some species are toxic and inedible so it is important to know the exact species before ingesting.

Notes: Black nightshade is a biennial or short-lived wild perennial plant with white flowers and black berries. It is often considered a weed today, but it has been used in traditional foods and medicines for thousands of years with mentions by ancient physicians like Dioscorides.

• • Plant Family: Papaveraceae (Poppy Family)
  • Common Names / Synonyms: lyre flower, heart flower, and lady-in-a-bath, purse peony, Dicentra spectabilis
  • Habitat: Asia
  • USDA Hardiness: Zones 3-9
  • Constituents: isoquinoline alkaloids
  • Medicinal Actions: analgesic, nervine

Toxicity: All parts are toxic and if ingested can result in symptoms of shaking, irritability, confusion, excess salivating, vomiting, diarrhea, convulsions, rigid muscles, and respiratory issues. Mainly fatal to small children and animals. Skin contact with fresh plant sap can result in contact dermatitis and other allergic skin reactions.

• Plant Family: Papaveraceae (Poppy Family)
• Common Names / Synonyms: bloodwort, redroot, red puccoon, Canada puccoon
• Habitat: Eastern & Central North America
• USDA Hardiness: Zones 3-8
• Constituents: isoquinoline alkaloids

Toxicity: Toxic and cytotoxic. Do not ingest. Ingestion symptoms can include vomiting, diarrhea, fainting, coma, and possibly death. Deemed unsafe for topical application as it can cause skin necrosis, tissue damage, and disfiguring scarring.

• Plant Family: Iridaceae (Iris Family)
• Common Names / Synonyms: harlequin blueflag, larger blue flag, northern blue flag, and poison flag
• Habitat: North America
• USDA Hardiness: Zones 3-9
• Constituents: iridin

Toxicity: All parts of toxic, but especially the leaves and roots. Ingestion symptoms can include stomache pain, nausea, headache, vomiting, diarrhea, and fever. Skin contact with the fresh plant sap can cause skin irritation and blistering.

Notes: Blue flag is a wild semi-aquatic iris with blue-purple flowers and rhizomous roots found growing by streams, rivers, ponds, and lake shores. All wild and cultivated iris species are toxic. Care should be taken when wild harvesting as iris leaves can be mistaken for several edible aquatic plants such as cattails and sweet flag.

• Plant Family: Papaveraceae (Poppy Family)
• Common Names / Synonyms: breadseed poppy, opium poppy
• Habitat: Eurasia
• USDA Hardiness: Zones 3-8
• Constituents: morphine, codeine, thebaine, oripavine, papaverine and noscapine

Toxicity: All parts are toxic except the seeds which are edible. Ingestion of the toxic parts can result in slowed shallow breathing, slowed heart rate, lethargy, sedation, constipation, loss of appetite, brain damage, and death. Its constituents are severely addictive and withdrawal symptoms include irritability, insomnia, depression, muscle cramps, stomach pain, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, sweating, and an increased heart rate.

Notes: Breadseed poppy is native to southeastern Europe and Western Asia and has been cultivated by humans for food and medicine since the Neolithic age 12,000 years ago. The oil is used in cosmetics and the edible seeds are highly prized in baking and patisserie.

• Plant Family: Ranunculaceae (Crowfoot Family)
• Common Names / Synonyms: buttercup
• Habitat: All continents, but especially Eurasia and North America
• USDA Hardiness: Zones 3-9
• Constituents: protoanemonin, ranunculin

Toxicity: All parts are toxic. Ingestion can result in the burning and blistering of the mouth and severe digestive upset including stomach pain and diarrhea. Touching the fresh plant sap can result in skin irritation and blistering. The live plants are toxic to livestock but the toxins are neutralized upon drying and safe in hay feed.

Notes: There are many species of buttercups, with differing levels of toxicity. The most common species are creeping buttercup (Ranunculus repens), bulbous buttercup (Ranunculus bulbosus), and meadow buttercup (Ranunculus acris).

• Plant Family: Euphorbiaceae (Spurge Family)
• Common Names / Synonyms: castor bean, castor oil plant
• Habitat: Africa, Mediterranean
• USDA Hardiness Zone: 10-11
• Constituents: ricin

Toxicity: Toxic with the seeds being the most poisonous part. Breathing the flower pollen can trigger allergies and asthma. Skin contact with the fresh plant sap can result in contact dermatitis and rashes. Ingestion of the seeds can result in a burning sensation in the mouth and throat, stomach pain, nausea, vomiting, and bloody diarrhea and days later can result in lowered blood pressure, dehydration, and urine retention. Death from ingesting castor beans can take 3-5 days if left untreated and symptoms can take hours or days to present.

Notes: Castor bean is the source of the famous ricin poison, a traditional medicine, an ornamental plant, and an industrial source of castor oil. It has been in use as a medicine and vegetable oil since ancient Egypt. Due to the length of its cultivation by humans, its original native habitat is unknown but believed to be Africa. Castor bean plants love warm to tropical climates and have naturalized in southern and south central Europe. Castor bean is prized for its gigantic size (plants can grow to 40 feet in the right climate), its large dramatic leaves, and attractive seed pods.

• Plant Family: Iridaceae (Iris Family)
• Habitat: Eurasia
• USDA Hardiness Zone: 3-9
• Constituents: colchicine

Toxicity: All parts of all crocus species are toxic, including the saffron crocus (Crocus sativa). Ingestion can result in digestive upset, diarrhea, and low white blood cell counts. Large quantities can result in anemia, hair loss, bone marrow damage, blurry vision, fever, vomiting, and organ failure. Saffron consumption should be kept under 5 grams.

Notes: Crocuses are perennial spring ephemeral flowers growing from bulbs available in purple, white, yellow, and variegated colours. The plants go dormant in late spring / early summer and don’t return until the next spring. Crocuses are one of the earliest garden blooms and can tolerate some snow and frost.

• Plant Family: Amaryllidaceae (Amaryllis Family)
• Common Names / Synonyms: daffodil, narcissus, jonquil
• Habitat: Europe, Mediterranean, West Asia, North Africa
• USDA Hardiness: Zones 3-9
• Constituents: isoquinoline alkaloids (galantamine, lycorine)

Toxicity: All parts are toxic and inedible. Skin contact with the fresh sap can cause skin irritation, contact dermatitis, and rough, scarred looking skin. Ingestion can result in excess saliva, stomach pain, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, confusion, lethargy, heart issues, convulsions, paralysis, and possibly death.

Notes: Narcissus are perennial spring ephemerals growing from bulbs that experience a dormancy period outside of spring. Daffodils are a popular ornamental garden plant and indoor Easter and Christmas flower. Their ingestion has mainly happened during famines or due to the dormant bulbs being confused with onions. Narcissus have been held sacred in ancient Egypt, Persia, Greece, and Rome as a symbol of rebirth and renewal. Narcissus, especially white species, were planted by ancient graves and tombs and the bulbs were buried with several noble mummies such as Pharoah Ramses II.

• Plant Family: Solanaceae (Nightshade)
• Species: Datura inoxia, D. stramonium, D. wrightii, D. metel, D. ceratocaula
• Common Names / Synonyms: datura, jimsonweed, sadadhatura, thornapple, toloache
• Habitat: Native to Central and South America, naturalized in Canada, the USA, and Europe.
• USDA Hardiness: Zones 8-11
• Constituents: atropine, hyoscyamine, and scopolomine.

Toxicity: All parts are deadly toxic and can result in anticholinergic poisoning if ingested. Symptoms can include: restlessness, aggression, agitation, red flushed skin, dilated pupils, inability to sweat or salivate, urinary retention, confusion, dizziness, short-term memory loss, blurry vision, irregular breathing, irregular heartbeat, lethargy, delirium, coma, and possibly death. 

Poisoning can also occur from skin contact with crushed or broken parts of the live plant. Do not use if pregnant or breastfeeding. Keep away from children.  Do not ingest except for flower essences. Should not be used internally except under  the supervision of an experienced healthcare practitioner.

Notes: Datura species grow wild all over the world in both hemispheres from the Mediterranean, Southeast Asia, and Africa to North and Central America and have a vast history of use and body of mythology requiring a book rather than a simple product listing. The Datura inoxia used in this ointment originates from Central America and its native range is from Mexico and Texas to Arizona, Nevada, and southern Califiornia. It is revered by the local tribes as a sacred plant with the status of a deity or medicine man. It is called “toloache” which means the nod of respect one gives to show reverence.

Some tribes are documented by ethnographers as describing datura inoxia’s spirit as a powerful old grandmother associated with deer and others see it as a more masculine trickster spirit tied closely to coyote. Either way what they have in common are folk tales that liken them to fairy tale witches in the woods in that datura can both harm or heal those who seek them out (but datura inoxia is more like a beautiful fairy-witch of the southwest desert with a powerful siren song of intoxicatingly sweet-smelling flowers).

Where datura inoxia grows, the people use it for medicine but also for many important rituals like rites of passage, purification rituals, and addressing the ancestors during times of community crisis. It is also curiously used in folk magic for uncrossing and reversing curses as well as purifying oneself after breaking a taboo or causing harm.

Datura is a potent magical herb of protection with the sharp, wicked spikes sheltering its precious but poisonous seeds. It is very connected with the moon, the dream world, the underworld and the dead. 

• Plant Family: Ranunculaceae (Crowfoot family)
• Common Names / Synonyms: delphinium, larkspur
• Habitat: Northern Hemisphere
• USDA Hardiness: Zones 3-7
• Constituents: methlaconitine, 14-deactylnudicauline, nudicauline

Toxicity: All parts are very toxic, but especially young plants and new growth. Ingestion can result in stomach ache, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, blurred vision, dry mouth, irritability, and pupil dilation. Skin contact with the fresh plant sap can result in skin irritation and rashes.

Notes: Delphiniums are tall plants known for the showy flowers available in blues, purples, pinks, and white which are prized in floristry and ornamental gardens. There are 300 different species with perennials in the Delphinium genus and annuals in the Consolida genus. They are closely related to deadly monkshood and many species are similar  in appearance, but start blooming in late spring and early summer as opposed to aconite’s late autumn blooming period.

• Plant Family: Plantaginaceae (Plantain family)
• Common Names / Synonyms: digitalis, foxglove, fairy fingers, folk’s gloves, fox bells, deadmen’s bells, fairy thimbles, our lady’s glove, witches bells, witches thimbles
• Habitat: Europe, West Asia, and Northwest Africa, invasive in North America
• USDA Hardiness: Zones 4-8
• Constituents: cardiac glycosides (digitoxin, digoxin)

Toxicity: All parts are deadly toxic if ingested. The toxins cannot be destroyed by drying, heating, or boiling. Ingestion results in burning of the mouth and throat, stomach pain, cramps, headache, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, irregular heartbeat, convulsions, and death due to heart failure. The toxins can also be absorbed through the skin via contact with the live or dried plant.

Notes: There are 27 different species of foxglove, the most common being Digitalis purpurea, Digitalis grandiflora, D. ferruginea, D. lutea, and D. parviflora. These tall flowering plants are equally found in the wilds and cottage gardens, growing in shades of white, pale pink, dark pink, purple, and yellow. Some species and varieties are perennial and others are annuals.

• Plant Family: Ranunculaceae (Crowfoot family)
• Common Names / Synonyms: winter rose, christmas rose, and lenten rose
• Habitat: Eurasia
• USDA Hardiness: Zones 5-9
• Constituents: saponins, bufadienolides, protoanemonin

Toxicity: All hellebore species and all plant parts are very toxic. Ingestion can result in mouth pain, burning of mucous membranes, stomach pain, cramps, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, blurred vision, loss of appetite, and lowered heart rate. Skin contact with the plant sap can result in skin irritation and contact dermatitis.

Notes: There are 22 species of hellebores. All have evergreen leaves but different sizes and colours of flowers. Colours can range from white, cream, pink, purple, red, and green.

• Plant Family: Solanaceae (Nightshade family)
• Common Names / Synonyms: henbane, henbell, hog’s bean, fetid nightshade, stinking nightshade, poison tobacco, jusquiame
• Habitat: Europe, Mediterranean, West Asia, North Africa, invasive in North America and Australia
• USDA Hardiness: Zones 4-8
• Constituents: tropane alkaloids (atropine, hyoscyamine, scopolamine)

Toxicity: All henbane species and all parts of the plants are toxic due to containing tropane alkaloids that cause anticholinergic poisoning. Symptoms can include restlessness, aggression, agitation, red flushed skin, dilated pupils, inability to sweat or salivate, urinary retention, confusion, dizziness, short-term memory loss, blurry vision, irregular breathing, irregular heartbeat, delirium, and sedation. Long-term ingestion of even small amounts can result in memory loss, organ and brain damage. Fatalities are rare due to henbane’s offensive smell and bitter taste. Henbane contains a lower concentration of tropane alkloids than its close relatives belladonna, datura, and mandrake with the exception of Egyptian henbane (Hyoscyamus muticus) which is the most toxic henbane species.

Notes: There are a dozen different types of henbane, all are poisonous. Among the different species flower colour can range from white, pale yellow, golden yellow, and pink to purple. Henbane is famous for its stench. The plants produce chemicals to mimic the scent of death and decay to protect from being eaten.