Across
- 5. The sap of this pretty little white flower is red in colour and can be toxic to humans and animals alike. It is more commonly used as a skin treatment but often causes permanent scarring as it kills off skin cells (9)
- 6. The stalks of this fruit are commonly, and quite safely, baked into delicious desserts, but the leaves are toxic and could cause a nasty bout of food poisoning and, if continually ingested at high levels, kidney failure (8)
- 8. The berries from this flowering plant can be eaten, but make sure you cook them first to avoid a very unhappy tummy (10)
- 9. Known to cause death after only a few bites of its root the entirety of this well-known poisoner is also incredibly dangerous. Symptoms include vomiting, seizures and respiratory failure (5/7)
- 10. Also know as Dead Men's Bells, eaten raw can cause severe gastroenteritis and with the leaves containing digitoxin you especially want to stay away if you suffer from heart problems (8)
- 12. Found in the woods, scrub and hedgerows of Europe, the fruit is the most poisonous part of this tree. If you eat too many, they can cause cramps, collapse and even death (8/7)
- 13. Also known as Deadly Nightshade, it is indeed as dangerous as its name suggests. Symptoms include blurred vision, a rash, headaches, slurred speech, hallucinations, convulsions and eventually death (10)
- 14. Most commonly, and unwittingly, consumed by humans through the dairy products from cows who have ingested it. Symptoms (in humans) include loss of appetite, nausea, weakness and abdominal discomfort, possibly leading to convulsions and coma in serious cases (5/9)
- 18. Lurking in the little, red seeds of this innocent looking plant is a natural poison called Abrin, more lethal than even Ricin (6/3)
- 22. All parts of this plant, especially it's beautiful white flowers, are poisonous and can cause eczema, dermatitis, irritation, burning and swelling of the mouth and throat (4/4)
- 23. Honey made from the nectar of this plant is often called 'Mad Honey' due to its possible side effects of delirium, vomiting, very low blood pressure and irregular heart rhythm (12)
- 26. This Asian tree species is related to Poison Ivy, it's highly toxic sap, which is harvested to finish homeware and furniture, can cause severe skin irritation (7/7)
- 27. Also known as the bladder cherry, all parts of this hardy perennial are toxic except for the fruit, but make sure it's ripe or you could experience headaches, cramping and breathing difficulties (7/7)
- 28. Part of the Aconitum family, this infamous plant is highly poisonous and has long been associated with murder and witchcraft (9)
- 29. Whilst rarely fatal, this plant can make your life very uncomfortable, plaguing its victims with vomiting, diarrhoea, abdominal pain and mouth ulcers. You also want to keep this far away from your furry family members (10)
- 31. Related to Cow Parsley, this plant can grow up to 10ft tall. It's toxic sap can cause life changing burns and skin lesions when exposed to UV light (natural and artificial) (5/7)
- 34. Unlike it's sweet tasting counterpart the fruit of this tree should not be consumed, with side effects such as abdominal pain, nausea, vomiting and throat irritation (5/8)
- 36. Part of the Anthurium family, these colourful semi-tropical plants won't kill you but if ingested they will cause irritation to your mouth and stomach. And you'll want to keep them out of reach from curious pets (8)
- 38. Extracts from this beautiful red flower and it's leaves can cause vomiting, sweating, lethargy, abdominal pain and possibly even death, but you's have to eat a lot of it in it's natural form to see similar symptoms (8/6)
- 39. This wildflower can be particularly toxic when ingested but is sometimes used in topical treatments, however long term use is advised against (7)
- 40. This vining plant produces fruit that resembles grapes, ingesting one can cause a nasty upset stomach, more can lead to convulsions and death (6/8)
- 42. Consuming just a small amount of this plant's flowers or berries can lead to Iridin poisoning, with symptoms of vomiting and diarrhoea. Leave the berries for the birds who love them, and feel no ill effects (8/4)
- 43. More dangerous in the winter due to higher levels of taxine alkaloids, consuming any part of this tree can cause vomiting, dizziness, confusion, muscle weakness, fainting, cardiac issues and respiratory problems (7/3)
- 44. Whilst the stem of this plant is consumed by millions every day, it's advised not to consume its flowers nor berries in order to avoid some gastrointestinal problems (9)
- 46. This pretty, flowering bush, also know as Rosebay, is loved by our friends the honey bees, but it has quite the reputation as a poisoner. Possible symptoms are delirium, lethargy, dizziness, drowsiness, and headaches which, in rare cases, may lead to seizures followed by coma (8)
Down
- 1. This plant produces the highly addictive and toxic chemical Nicotine, an overdose can cause vomiting, excessive salivation, abdominal pain, sweating, hypertension, tremors, headache, dizziness and seizures (7)
- 2. This commonly consumed root vegetable does have the potential to make you sick with fever, headache and stomach pain. Never eat if spoiled, green and/or sprouting (6)
- 3. Also known as Dungwort and Bearsfoot, every part of this plant is poisonous to humans and animals alike, causing vomiting and delirium (8/9)
- 4. So, this ones a bit of a stretch but if you eat 100 of this tree's fruits in one sitting you may well ingest enough cyanide to kill you... maybe (5/4)
- 7. The ---- Cherry, aka the Christmas Cherry, is often used as decoration around the holiday season but its fruits must be kept away from curious children and pets. Don't you eat them either! Side effects include seizures, respiratory depression, and shock (9)
- 11. The ---- Lily, also known as the Flame Lily due to its beautiful fire coloured flowers, is highly toxic and has been used in cases of murder. Symptoms include vomiting, abdominal pain, increased heart rate, seizures, bone marrow failure and death (5)
- 15. Whilst this flower signifies spring and new beginnings, consuming it can cause vomiting, abdominal pain, and diarrhoea (8)
- 16. These beautiful and delicate blue flowers carpet forest floors in the springtime but they're for looking only. Side effects of consuming them include serious stomach upset, lethargy and a reduced heart rate (8)
- 17. These evergreen shrubs are known for their scented flowers and brightly coloured berries, but it's toxic sap can cause skin rashes, nausea, swelling of the tongue, and coma (6)
- 19. Found in most of Europe and as far west as China, in extreme cases the bark and berries of this tall shrub can cause death within 6-12 hours through severe gastroenteritis (5/9)
- 20. You'd have to ingest quite a bit of this plant to suffer ill affects but it's probably not a good idea to risk liver damage and seizures (8/5)
- 21. With its common name being plucked from the bible, this colourful shrub can be used to calm tummy issues but don't eat too much! (7/4)
- 24. Known for it's tall blue flower spikes that can tower over you, side effects from ingesting this plant have a delay of weeks and include acute liver disease, gastroenteritis and an enlarged liver and spleen (6)
- 25. Part of the Aconitum family, this plant was used by Ancient Greek hunters to poison the bait for their prey (9)
- 26. This desert plant has a milky white sap which can irritate the skin and cause blindness if it gets into the eyes (10/6)
- 30. The berries and seeds of this member of an infamous hedge family contain cyanide producing cyanogenic glycosides (6/6)
- 32. Also known as 'Meadow Saffron', every part of this pretty little plant is deadly. Symptoms include burning of the mouth and throat, vomiting, diarrhoea, liver and kidney problems, blood disorders, nerve problems, shock, organ failure, and death (6/6)
- 33. The seeds of this plant contain ricin, one of the most toxic substances currently known, properly extracted it makes a nasty and efficient poison but even just ingesting in their natural form can have some dangerous side effects (6/4)
- 35. The ---- Poppy, or Breadseed Poppy, is infamous for it's use in modern medicine but be careful if you're consuming it raw or in a tea, it can cause respiratory and central nervous system depression, which may ultimately lead to death (5)
- 37. The ---- Tree, also known as The Poison Apple tree, is so deadly most tourist spots now mark it with red as a warning. Every part of this tree is highly poisonous (10)
- 41. Often grown as an ornamental tree or topiary pretty much every part of it is toxic. Wear gloves when pruning and resist the urge to eat it (7/3)
- 45. When decorating your home for Christmas be sure no loved ones or furry friends consume the berries of this tree, you won't die but it'll certainly put a damper on your celebrations (5)