Beware of Beauty: Identifying Toxic Native Plants in Colorado
Colorado’s wilderness is breathtaking. The landscape consists of hills of rolling pastures, majestic mountain summits, and clumps of vibrant wildflowers dominate the scenery. However, some of the state’s finest indigenous flora have a deadly secret. In this post, we’ll cover what you need to know about toxic native plants in Colorado and how to stay safe.
Beware of Beauty: Identifying Toxic Native Plants in Colorado
Death Camas: The Dangerous Imposter
Foragers beware; the death camas mimic the look of the wild onion, and confusing the two can be fatal. It contains neurotoxic alkaloids that can stop the normal function of major organs. Symptoms are quick to develop and can include:
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Abnormal salivation
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Vomiting
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Potentially fatal slowing of heart rate
If left untreated, convulsions, coma, and death are a real risk.
Spotting the difference is hard. Death camas flowers are creamy white to green flowers with grasslike leaves that radiate out of a rosette at the base of the plant. Wild onions smell like onions if crushed.
If the plant is not onion-scented, it is not a wild onion. And eating even a tiny sliver of this toxic plant is likely dangerous.
Poison Hemlock: Appearances are Not All
This plant also bears a deadly past. Poison hemlock is the same deadly plant that killed the ancient Greek philosopher Socrates.
Poison hemlock grows in the green fields surrounding Colorado. You can see them down the sides of the highways, with the plant standing four to six feet tall. The delicate white flowers and ferny green foliage look like a carrot and have gray-brown fruits.
Touching poison hemlock irritates the skin, but eating it is much worse. The plant’s highly toxic compounds stop the transmission of neural impulses, causing:
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Dizziness
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Shakiness
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Respiratory depression and failure
The bad news? There’s no antidote or specific treatment for the plants’ toxins.
Monkshood: A Deadly Poison
Monkshood is a real showstopper found in the alpine woods and along the riversides around Colorado. Its deep blue-purple flowers with distinctive hoods add a mysterious beauty to the landscape.
Their beauty comes with caution, and all parts of this plant contain highly toxic alkaloids. These alkaloids disrupt nervous system function. In the worst cases, you could experience a heart attack after ingesting the plant.
Brushing up against the plant can cause tingling or numbing of the skin, and handling is extremely dangerous. Gardeners should wear gloves when working with it. Monkshoot is an attractive plant, so it’s not shocking why gardeners would keep it in their yard. However, it’s best to pull it up if you have kids and animals on the property.
This poisonous plant in Colorado has no proven treatment.
More Common Toxic Native Plants in Colorado
Colorado State University has a database of all plants in Colorado. Among the beauty of the landscape are other common poisonous plants. The list includes the above plus:
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Larkspur
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Locoweed
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Western Water Hemlock
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Lupine
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Poison Sumac, poison ivy, poison oak
Staying Safe in the Colorado Wilderness
Knowing what to look for makes all the difference in staying safe. Carry a plant identification guide when hiking or foraging for edible plants. Teach kids never to eat wild plants, and if you have pets, be mindful of what they’re sniffing or chewing on outdoor adventures.
In the case of unintentional consumption or skin contact with a poisonous plant, act quickly. This can mean the difference between life and death. Call poison control or seek medical care if you notice symptoms from a toxic native plant in Colorado. Prompt action can mean the difference between a minor or potentially fatal outcome.
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