The World of Plants

1. The World of Plants By LJJT, (awesome)

2. Introduction • The united States is home to thousands of species of plants. • There are a big variety of harmful and completely harmless plants • Some of these plants can cure diseases. • If you eat certain plants in a case of survival it can also cause awful disease and some can even kill a man.

3. Toxicity Levels There are several different toxic levels of plant life including: • Highly Toxicity: If ingested these plants may cause serious illness or death. • Low Toxicity: If swallowed these plants may cause minor illnesses such as vomiting or intestinal problems. • Calcium acids: The juice or sap of these plants contains oxalate crystals. These crystals can irritate the skin, mouth, tongue, and throat, resulting in throat swelling, breathing problems, burning pain, and stomach discomfort. • Skin Irritation: The sap of these plants may cause a skin rash or irritation.  • Can be fatal to cats or other pets: Will not usually affect humans at all.

4. Harmful Plants Many food plants possess toxic parts that are toxic unless processed, or are toxic at certain stages of their life. Notable examples include: • Apple Seeds contains toxins but the amount found in a single fruit won't kill a person; but it is possible to ingest enough seeds to provide a fatal dose. • Chocolate. Contains toxins that at certain levels can be harmful to dogs and cats. • Tomato Foliage and vines contain alkaloid poisons which cause digestive upset and nervous excitement.

5. Deadly Plants As we know the world is home to thousands of dangerous plants . The top five most dangerous plants are…. #5 The Castor Bean- This plant can grow up to 3 meters in length and the seeds in this plant contain incredibly deadly toxins able to kill humans. #4 The Deadly Nightshade- This plant is native to Europe and its berries which actually have a sweet taste can kill a child within two hours. #3 Rosary Pea- The rosary peas toxins are very similar to those of the castor bean, although not as deadly can still kill a human if enough of the berries are consumed. #2 The Water Hemlock- Actually native to the united states the water hemlock contains citutoxin in every part of the plant and causes problems with your digestive system. #1 The Oleander- Often grown for its beauty contains multiple kinds of deadly toxins that if ingested in any way will kill an adult.

6. Harmful Plants The Oleander The Castor Bean The Deadly Nightshade Rosary Pea Water Hemlock

7. Ways to Identify Harmful Plants To avoid potentially poisonous plants, stay away from any wild or unknown plants that have: • Milky or discolored sap. • Beans, bulbs, or seeds inside pods. • Bitter or soapy taste. • Spines, fine hairs, or thorns. • "Almond" scent in woody parts and leaves. • Grain heads with pink, purplish, or black spurs. • Three-leaved growth pattern.

8. Edible but NASTY!!!! • Many wild plants are edible but barely tolerable due to poor taste. • Methods used to improve the taste of plant food include soaking, boiling, cooking, or leaching. • Leaves, stems, and buds can be boiled. • Boil, bake, or roast tubers and roots. • Acorns can be leached in water (like coffee). • Nuts such as chestnuts, are okay raw.

9. Temperate Zone Edible Plants • Blackberries (Rubus species) • Blueberries (Vaccinium species) • Cattail (Typha species) • Chestnut (Castanea species) • Dandelion (Taraxacumofficinale) • Daylily (Hemerocallisfulva) • Strawberries (Fragaria species)

10. Medicinal Plants In addition to being edible, some plants are also medicinal. One example is Smartweed • Smartweed leaves can be used for heart ailments, stomachaches, inflammation, sore throat, and also used against kidney stones. • Leaf tea also used as a foot soak for pain in legs and feet. • The whole plant can be used for general pain, poison ivy rash, and insect repellent