Can You Identify These Deadly Plants From an Image?

Kennita Leon

Image: Diane Macdonald/Stockbyte/Getty Images

About This Quiz

The beauty of most plants is something that is undeniable. These living organisms that sprout up from the ground are some of the most eye-catching and mesmerizing things (depending on which one you see) that have been naturally gifted to us. From a rainbow's worth of roses to the elegant way that bamboo grows, we've been blessed with a variety of options to make not only our homes better, but also our lives -- you have heard that plants heal, right? But they also have the power to kill, and some of them do it a lot faster, more painfully and more unexpectedly than others. But do you know what they are? Could you tell us their names if we showed you some pictures? 

Some of these plants may not exactly be deadly to humans, but they do have properties that possess the ability to kill some kind of living creature. Whether it be a dog, horse or one of us, these plants can take away lives with a simple bite, or sometimes less. If you think you can name them just by seeing them, then this is the quiz for you. Prove to us that you know what's up in the world of deadly plants.

Though poisonous, this plant can be used in cooking. What is it?

The castor bean is a perennial plant scientifically known as Ricinus communis. A plant found commonly in tropical regions, castor bean is toxic as a result of the presence of ricin.

Which deadly plant is this?

A member of the Solanaceae family, the tobacco plant contains nicotine and harmala alkaloids. There are more than seventy species of tobacco in existence.

Known to kill people by causing heart problems, which plant is this?

Scientifically known as the Nerium oleander, the oleander belongs to the dogbane family Apocynaceae. It is a small flowering tree commonly grown in gardens.

Poisonous to wolves, as you can tell by its name, what do you think this plant is?

Aconitum napellus, or wolfsbane, is found in mountainous and temperate regions of Europe. The plant owes its name to its historical use as a poison for wolves.

What's the name of this plant?

Endemic to Eastern America and Canada, the doll's eye owes its name to its appearance. The flower, also known as the white baneberry, bears a white berry with a black scar.

Containing the toxin taxane, which plant do you see here?

The European Yew can be found in Europe, Africa and the Middle East. All parts of the plant, with the exception of the aril, contain taxine alkaloids, which are toxic.

It has medicinal compounds, but it can also be poisonous. What is this plant called?

The angel's trumpet is one of seven species in the Solanaceae family. The name angel's trumpet refers to the plant's flowers of white, yellow, pink, orange, green and red.

What's the name of this plant that can kill?

The flowers of the larkspur are deep purple or violet. A member of the Ranunculaceae family, the larkspur, or delphinium, is toxic to humans and animals.

Poisonous to dogs, cats and even us humans, which pretty plant is this?

Foxgloves are scientifically known as digitalis. This species of plant grows in acidic soil and is very toxic.

It's so poisonous that people have used this to end their lives and others'. Which plant is this?

The suicide tree is officially known as the Cerbera odollam. It produces a highly poisonous fruit that has been used for suicides and murder, resulting in its name.

Which deadly plant do you see in this picture?

Lily of the valley is a flowering woodland plant native to Asia and Europe. It produces white bell-shaped flowers that dangle from a stalk.

The leaves are poisonous, although other parts are edible. Which plant is this?

A herbaceous perennial, rhubarb is a member of the family Polygonaceae. Its leaves contain a poisonous substance known as oxalic acid. The plant's red stalks, however, are edible and poison free.

Used to poison the tips of weapons back in the day, which insanely fatal plant is this?

A plant native to Europe, Asia and Africa, deadly nightshade is also known as belladonna or Atropa belladonna. The plant was historically used to make poisonous arrows.

The leaves and stems can be fatal if large amounts are consumed. Which plant is this?

The elephant ear can be found in southeastern Asia and India. It is a small plant with large leaves. The plant is scientifically known as colocasia.

Though pretty, this plant has a dangerous toxin. What is its name?

The daffodil is a small flowering plant that produces bright yellow flowers. It is scientifically known as the narcissus. The plant is poisonous as a result of the toxic substance lycorine, which is found in all parts of the plant.

Are you sure that you can identify this toxic plant?

Lantana is a perennial flowering plant endemic to the tropical regions of Africa and the Americas. The plant produces small, colorful flowers. The entire plant contains triterpenoids, a type of toxin.

One of the most well-known poisonous plants, what is this one called?

A native to Europe and North Africa, hemlock is a poisonous herbaceous flowering plant. Its scientific name is Conium maculatum, and it's also known as poison hemlock.

Although a large amount must be ingested to have a real effect, this plant is still very dangerous. What is it called?

The hydrangea is a small shrub with flowers that grow in small clusters of pink, blue and purple. To feel the effects of hydrangea poisoning, very large quantities of the shrub have to be ingested.

Tell us the name of this plant.

The autumn crocus, which blooms in the fall, has a strong resemblance to the crocus plant. The flower is also known as naked ladies or meadow saffron.

Also called richweed, what other name does this plant go by?

A native plant to North America, white snakeroot is a poisonous perennial herb also known as richweed or white sanicle. The plant contains the toxin tremetol.

This is a plant pregnant women should steer clear of. What is it called?

The birthwort, also known as the dutchman's pipe, is a species of climbing plants. The plant produces pipe-shaped flowers that were formerly used for abortion.

What's the common name of this plant whose scientific name is podophyllum?

The may apple, or podophyllum as it is scientifically known, is a perennial plant found in the United States and Canada. The plant's fruit is poisonous when green and unripe.

Can you tell us the name of this toxic plant?

The black locust is native to the southern United States. A deciduous hardwood, all parts of the black locust plant are toxic to humans and animals.

Named after the most popular vampire in history, what is this plant called?

The Dracula flower has a unique appearance. The flower is blood red and has a black pistil that sticks out like a tongue. The plant is poisonous and can cause a reaction if eaten ortouched.

Do you know the name of this very dangerous plant?

The manchineel is a flowering tree that grows up to forty feet in height. It has yellow-green leaves and bears a small apple-like fruit. The tree contains the toxin phorbol as well as other unidentified skin-irritants.

The juice and seeds from this plant can poison you. What is its name?

A member of the nightshade family, jimson weed (or devils snare) is thought to have originated in Mexico. The plant contains atropine, scopolamine and hyoscyamine. It is used for medical and recreational purposes.

A plant with a very strange name -- what do you think this one is called?

The dumbcane is a tropical flowering plant native to Mexico and the West Indies. Despite being poisonous, the plant is commonly cultivated as an ornamental house plant.

Match this plant to its name.

A member of the figwort family, the myoporum is one of thirty species of flowering plants of the myoporum genus. Myoporum is a small shrub that produces small white flowers.

The seeds are very dangerous, but what is this plant known as?

Scientifically known as Cassia fistula, the golden shower tree blooms during late spring. It produces long clusters of yellow flowers that are harmless. The plant's seeds, however, are poisonous.

Which deadly plant do you see here?

The gympie gympie is a plant commonly found in the rainforests of northeast Australia. The plant is also known as the stinging brush or mulberry leave stinger. The plant is covered in stinging hairs.

A perennial plant native to Europe, what is the name of this shrub?

The scotch broom is native to Europe. It is a perennial shrub that produces several small yellow flowers.

Identify the plant shown in this picture.

The rosary pea is also known as the jequirity bean. It is a slender climbing plant whose seeds are bright red and black. It contains the toxin abrin.

The seed of this plant is poisonous. What is it called?

The chinaberry is a species of deciduous plant also known as the Pride of India, Persian lilac and bead tree. The fruit produced by this tree is harmless. Its seed, however, is poisonous.

Which dangerous plant is this?

A native of western North America, the death camas is scientifically known as Toxicoscordion venenosum. It is a species of flowering plant that contains the toxin zygacine and other alkaloids.

Also known as the poison nut, which tree is this?

The strychnine tree is a medium-sized tree that grows in open habitats. Also known as the poison nut, the strychnine tree's seeds contain the alkaloids strychnine and brucine.

Can you tell us the name of this woody plant?

The wisteria plant belongs to the legume family, Fabaceae. It is a woody climbing vine native to Asia. The plant produces a thick cluster of small purple flowers.

Can you tell us this plant's name?

Lilies, or lilium, are flowering plants that grow from bulbs. They produce very large flowers that are known to be poisonous to cats.

About HowStuffWorks Play


Explore More Quizzes