Gardening Ideas Gardening Flowers These Are the Most Dangerous Flowering Weeds That May Be in Your Yard By Melissa Locker Melissa Locker Melissa Locker writes about food, drinks, culture, gardening, and the joys of Waffle House Southern Living's editorial guidelines Updated on September 10, 2022 Fact checked by Khara Scheppmann Fact checked by Khara Scheppmann Khara Scheppmann has 12 years of marketing and advertising experience, including proofreading and fact-checking. She previously worked at one of the largest advertising agencies in the southwest. brand's fact checking process Share Tweet Pin Email Trending Videos Photo: Getty/OlyaSolodenko Don't be too alarmed, but your yard may be trying to hurt you. As much as we love magnolias, grass, crepe myrtle, live oaks, climbing roses, and everything in our vegetable gardens, there are some plants out there that are up to no good (we're looking at you, poison ivy). While many dangerous plants are unlikely to appear in a flower garden, there are some weeds that produce beautiful flowers and tempting berries that may look right at home next to your camellias, but are downright deadly. These weeds may look sweet, but one touch can be bad news. Here are some of the most dangerous flowering weeds around. 01 of 08 Jimson Weed DeepDesertPhoto / Getty This plant produces a white bloom that looks a bit like a morning glory, but from root to leaves, this plant is a no-no. Also called devil's snare, the plant's seeds, roots, stems, and leaves are all dangerous if ingested. Not only does it cause heart palpitations, respiratory and circulatory issues, but the seeds can cause terrifying hallucinations and even death. 02 of 08 Meadow Death Camas Getty/Cavan Images It's just common sense to beware of any flower that has "death" in its name Zigadenus venenosus is no exception. The plant has delicate blooms that hint at its relation to the lily family. Don't let the fact that it's a part of the lily family fool you, because all parts of this plant are toxic, including the bulb, which looks like a wild onion. This pretty plant can cause vomiting, convulsions, and death. 03 of 08 Belladonna Naturfoto Honal / Getty Atropa belladonna is commonly known as deadly nightshade and it has the distinction of being one of the most toxic plants in the entire hemisphere. The dark purple, bell-shaped flowers are pretty, but that beauty masks its deadliness. According to the Missouri Botanical Garden, its leaves, fruits, and roots are all highly toxic whether eaten or just brushed up against if there's an open wound or abrasion. It's bad for grownups, but "the risk to children who do not understand the poisonous characteristics of all parts of this plant are huge," the Missouri Botancial Garden warns. 04 of 08 Bittersweet Nightshade Getty/Difydave While not as toxic as its cousin deadly nightshade, the pretty purple flowers and bright red berries on bittersweet nightshade are a tempting sight. However, the College of Agricultural Sciences Oregon State University reports, "All plant parts are mildly poisonous." Those berries are poisonous to pets and can be deadly to children, so it's best to keep them out of the garden. Use gloves and/or protective gear when handling the plant. 05 of 08 Water Hemlock Getty/OlyaSolodenko These pretty lacy flowers (Cicuta douglasii) are part of the carrot family and look like wild parsnips or carrots, but they are far from edible. "Water hemlock is the most violently toxic plant that grows in North America," the USDA notes. Water hemlock has a toxin called cicutoxin that even in small amounts can trigger violent seizures that lead to cardiac arrest and death. 06 of 08 Giant Hogweed Getty/kbwills Another carrot cousin is giant hogweed, which has enormous blooms that look a bit like Queen Anne's lace on steroids. According to West Virginia University, the blooms are so pretty, and the 15-foot-tall plants so striking, that they were originally introduced to North America as ornamental plants. Don't plant them, though, as just one touch of the sap can cause severe skin irritation, burns, scarring, and blindness. If you spot giant hogweed in your garden, do not touch the plant or attempt to remove it yourself. Instead, call your county's environmental agency immediately. 07 of 08 Pokeweed Getty/Raquel Lonas Pokeweed, which is also known as poke root and pokeberry, is a confusing plant. While the properly prepared, boiled three times, tender spring leaves of this plant are the main ingredient in poke sallet, a fixture of Southern cuisine, the plant is truly toxic. Chefs preparing the pokeweed know that if they aren't careful, symptoms like vomiting, diarrhea, convulsions, and rapid heartbeat can quickly follow cooking. There's no doubt that the full-grown pokeweed with its shiny berries, magenta stems, and delicate white flowers from root to leaves is harmful, invasive, dangerous, and difficult to eradicate. Poke sallet is great, but we're leaving it to the pros and sticking to poke cake. 08 of 08 Oleander Getty/Adél Békefi You'll be forgiven for not realizing that oleander, specifically Nerium oleander, is toxic, because the woody little shrub is a common sight in suburban landscapes due to its abundant, fragrant white, pink, red, or purple flowers. Despite its prettiness, it is extremely toxic due to a poisonous substance it produces that can cause heart arrhythmia, difficulty breathing, and cardiac arrest. It's bad for humans and animals, including dogs. Was this page helpful? Thanks for your feedback! Tell us why! Other Submit