- If you're expecting the piranha plant from
Super Mario to be on this list, it's not real.
I checked.
So the world can be a very dangerous place for humans.
There are many things that are deadly to us,
but of course this isn't news.
I mean, no one's about to go stroll
into a lion's den anytime soon.
But often times the things that are most dangerous
are the things that we don't know about or don't
perceive to be dangerous.
For example, plants.
Well as it turns out the Earth is filled with many types
of plants that are deadly, some of which might be
in your backyard right now.
Seriously.
So this week I gathered the most lethal plants
on Earth to share with you all.
So here they are, the
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Actaea pachypoda, more commonly known as
Doll's Eyes, or White Baneberry, is native to the
Northern and Eastern parts of North America and
is not only creepy looking, but quite deadly.
Although the whole plant is toxic to humans,
the berries, which look like little eyeballs,
are the most poisonous part.
The concentrated toxins in the fruit have
unfortunately killed many children as they
not only appear fun to eat, but have a sweet taste.
Once ingested, the carcinogenic toxins in the fruit
have an almost immediate effect, sedating the
muscles of the heart, causing cardiac arrest
and a quick death.
They ripen in the summer and disappear in the winter
so remember, if you see these in the summer, stay away.
And if you see them in the winter they may be
real doll's eyes, which means there may be a deranged
individual in the area and you should leave immediately.
Cicuta, also known as Water Hemlock, is
native to the temperate regions of the Northern Hemisphere
and is the most violently toxic plant in North America.
It's also one of the most famous poisonous plants
in history being responsible for the death of
the philosopher Socrates, around 400 BC.
They contain a toxin called cicutoxin, which causes
a whole host of nasty effects on the body,
most notably death usually by respiratory failure
or cardiac arrest and can occur within hours of ingestion.
This one is especially terrifying simply because
of how innocent it looks.
Then again, you have nothing to worry about
as long as you don't go around eating
random white flowers that you find.
If you're hungry bring a protein bar, man.
The hell's wrong with you?
Aconitum, more commonly known as Wolfsbane or
Monkshood, is native to the mountainous regions
of Northern Europe and Asia and actually belongs
to the buttercup family.
How lovely.
These vibrant purple plants are commonly found
in backyard gardens and are loaded with a
poisonous alkaloid called aconite, which causes
death by asphyxiation within two to six hours
of entering the body.
Its history is well documented, being used on
the tips of arrows by hunters and has been
mentioned in literature by Shakespeare and even in
Harry Potter as a potion once brewed by Professor Snape.
It's also known in mythology to be able to either repel
a werewolf or induce a werewolf state.
And I know the mythology part sounds fun, but
seriously, don't touch this stuff.
Unless you're confronted by an actual werewolf,
in which case, start yanking plants.
Abrus precatorius, also known as the Rosary Pea
or Crab's Eye, is native to Indonesia and is
named after its bright red seeds, which resemble
the beads of a rosary.
Abrin, the poison contained within the seeds, is
unbelievably deadly.
In fact, it's similar to the poison ricin,
but is 75 times stronger.
What's curious is that if swallowed whole, the seeds
are relatively safe as they will pass through the body
protected by their tough coating.
However many jewelry makers have died pricking
their finger while drilling into the seeds, as they are
used in jewelry around the world.
Really though, is it worth the risk?
There's like, what, 50 beads on a rosary
and you're going to get, say, ten bucks for it?
These people are the reason that
warning labels were invented.
Atropa belladonna, simply known as Belladonna or
Deadly Nightshade, is native to Northern Africa,
Europe, and Western Asia and is one of
the world's most poisonous plants.
It contains tropane alkaloids, which if ingested,
causes too many horrible effects to list but
most importantly can kill an adult with
just 15 berries or a single leaf.
Interestingly, the effects of the plant are not instant
and can take hours or even days to kick in.
It was called Belladonna, meaning beautiful woman
in Italian, because the berry's juice was used by women
in the 1500's to dilate their pupils, making them
appear more seductive.
But hey, that's cool.
I mean, personally I like it when a girl doesn't
look like she's on a myriad of narcotics,
but, you know, to each their own.
Ricinus communis simply known as the Castor Plant
is native to Eastern Africa and India, but is widely
cultivated as an ornament plant.
In fact, it could very well be in your own
backyard right now.
Castor Plants can be purchased as just about any
garden center, despite their beans containing
the deadly poison ricin.
In 2007 it was named the most poisonous plant
in the world by the Guinness Book of World Records.
The ingestion of four to eight seeds will kill a human
in two days, which is long, agonizing, and unstoppable.
Surprisingly though, research shows that it takes
seven to kill a pig, 11 to kill a dog,
and a whopping 80 to kill a duck, which raises
the important question, who's feeding
ricin to animals to get this data?
Why you gotta kill the pig, dog, duck?
Nerium oleander, or simply known as Oleander,
is native to the Mediterranean and Asia and
is one of the most dangerous plants on this list,
despite how widely it's cultivated.
Commonly used as decoration in homes and
even schoolyards, it's an especially dangerous plant
because of its attractiveness.
Ingesting any part of this plant is enough to kill you
as it contains chemicals known as cardiac glycosides,
which will stop your heart.
Even inhaling the smoke from burning it is
enough to be fatal.
In some parts of the world it's known as the
"ass killer" because of the effects it has on the
digestive tract before you die.
Which I will not explain in further detail because,
you know, some things are just better left
to the imagination.
Dendrocnide moroides, more commonly known as
the Stinging Bush, is native to the forests of
Australia and Indonesia.
It's the most deadly and potent stinging nettle
in the world known for being covered in
tiny hairs that deliver a toxin called morodin.
Even lightly brushing any part of this plant
will cause excruciating stinging that will last
for days or even months.
(English accent) So if you enjoy the pleasures of nettles
you're going to want to stay away from
these ones, Milford Cubicle.
Ageratina altissima, better known as White Snakeroot,
is commonly found in North America and is unique
because unlike the other plants on this list,
it doesn't kill humans directly, but indirectly.
The plant is often eaten by cattle and contains
a toxin called tremetol, which gets absorbed
into their bodies.
When humans eat their meat or drink their milk
it causes something called milk sickness, which
is fatal.
In fact, it's widely believed that in 1818
Nancy Hanks Lincoln, mother of Abraham Lincoln,
died from milk sickness.
That's an unfortunate risk but I'm gonna be honest
with you, it's one I'm willing to take.
I loves me a good steak.
Hippomane mancinella, more commonly known as
the Manchineel Tree, is commonly found in
warm climates like Florida, the Bahamas,
and the Caribbean.
There are actually two ways this tree can kill you.
One is by standing under it during a rain storm
as the raindrops will pick up the many toxins
found in the tree's milky sap.
The second is by eating the tree's deceptively sweet
crabapple-like fruit known as the little apple of death.
So if you're ever traveling to any of these destinations
and you see what looks like a tasty apple tree,
avoid having a little snack or even going near it
because that could be the last vacation you ever take.
And that's it for this time guys.
Before I let you go I just wanted to let you know that
I have a Vine account.
Whenever I get an idea for a video that
can't go on my channel or can't be turned into
a longer video, I turn it into a six second video
and post it to my Vine account.
So if you want to see my goofy six second
mind turds add me to Vine.
My user name is Matthew Santoro.
There will be a link in the description of this video.
As per usual, if you enjoyed this video please share
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a click and I will see you all back here next Saturday
with a brand new video, peace.
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Here's an example of what you'll see:
Oh hey girl, you know what the difference between
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You ain't giving me a cheeseburger right now.
How a real man makes his house smell nice.
Oooh frosted cupcake, macaroon, oooh!
That looks pretty good, I'm gonna take a selfie.
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I give up.
♫ Club goin' up, on a Tuesday
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As you can see nothing but intelligent
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Anyways, enjoy and I will see you
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Bye.