NY Toxic Plants

Poisonous Plants

100

What plant grows on a vine and causes itchy blisters to appear on the skin when touched?

Poison Ivy 

200

Which plant grows like a tree, but is covered in "fuzz", even its red berries?

Poison Sumac 

300

Which flowering plants can cause long lasting skin damage and sun sensitivity? (two possible answers) 

Wild Parsnip or Cow Parsnip 

400

Which plant has tiny needles containing toxic chemicals all over its leaves and stems?

Stinging Nettle 

500

This plant is an invasive species in NY, and causes severe reactions similar to chemical burns when touched

Giant Hogweed 

Poisonous Berries

100

True or False: You should NEVER eat berries in the wild unless you are POSITIVE that you know it will not hurt you

TRUE!!!!!!!!!!!

200

This dark berry with red stems can cause extreme reactions if eaten, including muscle spasms and seizures

Pokeweed

300

These plants are a common decoration around the Holidays, but be careful no humans or pets eat the red berries!

Holly Berries

400

This invasive species grows orange and red berries that can really upset your stomach. 

Marrow's Honeysuckle 

500

These small, tomato-like berries go from green to yellow to red as they grow. Be careful not to eat them as they're so poisonous they can kill humans!

Bittersweet Nightshade 

Side Effects

100

Name one possible side effect of touching poison Ivy 

Rash, skin irritation, blisters, rash, itching, burning, etc...

200

This prickly plant will leave tiny needles in your skin that will need to be removed before you feel better. 

Stinging Nettle 

300

Poison Sumac is a pretty "tree-like" plant that's covered in fuzz! but let the fuzziness fool you; touching this plant can cause...

itching, burning, rashes, allergic reactions

400

What kind of reaction does Giant Hogsweed cause?

chemical burns 

500

What is one possible side effect of consuming Bittersweet Nightshade? 

sore throat, diarrhea, internal bleeding, seizures, sometimes death 

Treatments

100

True or False: If you get a reaction from a plant and it itches, you should itch it whenever you feel it 

False - scratching spreads the reactions and damages healing skin!

200

If you touch a plant that causes stinging, itching, or pain; what is the FIRST thing you should do?

Wash the area well with soap and water

300

Many plants that irritate our skin do this because they have oils that our skin does not like. What can we use to help remove these painful oils from our skin? 

Soap! Specifically dish soap and facial soap, because both help repel oil (make it go away) 

400

Why shouldn't we scratch areas that are having a reaction to a plant?

It can spread the reaction 

500

With ANY kind of reaction (stomach, skin, etc...) if the reaction spreads, becomes too painful/itchy, or makes you feel too sick you should...

Go to the doctor