Poisonous Plants

Hello Den 4

Part of the Webelos Walk-About Adventure is the identification of poisonous plants.  Here are a few pictures of some poisonous plants we may encounter this summer.

This is an example of Poison Ivy.  Notice the "leaves of three". Contact with any part of the plant can result in a very itchy allergic reaction and irritated skin. The leaves, roots and berries all contain the oil causes the reaction.

This is an example of Stinging Nettles.  Contact with this plant causes a severe, but temporary, burning sensation.  Stinging nettles usually grow in patches and have a distinctive smell.

 Foxglove is an attractive wild flower, but it is highly toxic.  This is the plant from which the poison Digitalis is derived. 

These are the berries of the Yew.  The yew is a very popular landscaping evergreen.  The seeds of the berries are highly toxic and cause documented deaths every year.

These are poke berries.  They look very edible, however, every part of the plant and the berries are highly toxic. This plant grows almost everywhere is very commonly seen.

Even though there are hundreds of edible plants, fruits and nuts to be found in the woods, it is important not to eat anything you find in the woods unless you (and your parents) are absolutely certain that it is something that will not harm you.  There are many plants that you can eat that look very much like a plant that may be very harmful.  There are also many plants that need special preparation before they can be consumed.  It is always better to bring a snack from home along with you and eat that when you get hungry.

Our Poisonous Plant Handout can be downloaded here:

Poisonous Plants