Special plants and trees: where can you find them, what to do when you encounter a poisonous plant, and how dangerous are they?

Where can you encounter special trees and plants while traveling?

• Baobab: these bottle-shaped trees, with their exceptionally thick trunks, are the national symbol of Madagascar. The variety that grows on the savannas of the African mainland, reaching a maximum circumference of 34 meters, is also well worth a visit. 
• Giant sequoia: in Sequoia National Park in California (United States), you can see these forest giants, which reach heights of over 80 meters.
• Sensitive plant (Mimosa pudica, touch-me-not, or shy plant): a plant that appears to shrink away, as if shy or fearful, when touched. Originally native only to Brazil and Suriname. It has, perhaps due to this unique "behavior", been introduced to many (sub)tropical regions across Asia, Africa, and Australia, where it has since become naturalized. 
• Saguaro giant cacti: in the Sonoran Desert, you can encounter these cacti, which grow up to 20 meters tall. Cacti found in parts of Mexico and near the Salar de Uyuni in Bolivia are also worth visiting. 
• Tulips: on the steppes of Kazakhstan, you can witness tulips and other wild bulbous plants in bloom across vast, rolling landscapes during the spring.
• Botanical gardens: in tropical rainforests, it can sometimes be difficult to see the forest for the trees; botanical gardens offer a way to appreciate the full diversity of these regions. Consider, the Vallarta Botanical Gardens (Mexico), Mount Coot-tha Botanic Gardens (Brisbane, Australia), the Singapore Botanic Gardens, and the Kebun Raya Bogor (Java, Indonesia).

How to handle dangerous plants while traveling or backpacking abroad?

• When traveling, you will encounter many plants you have never seen before. A sensible approach to these unfamiliar plants is to treat them with caution. 
• Do not be misled by similarities to plants you recognize as edible back home. Some edible species have highly toxic relatives abroad. 
• Since plants cannot run away when being eaten, they have developed various chemical and mechanical defenses to avoid being consumed. 
• When working abroad as a gardener, in agriculture, or as a field researcher, ensure you are familiar with the local flora and ask your supervisors which plants you should watch out for. 
• This knowledge of plant species is also vital if you are going wild camping or hiking long treks.

What are general tips about the consumption of unfamiliar plants?

• Never eat a plant unless you are 100% certain of its species; looking appetizing is no reason to put something unknown into your mouth.
• The first time you try a plant, consume only a small amount to see how your body reacts.
• Plants that exude a white sap when picked are almost always toxic.
• Shiny leaves are usually toxic.
• White and yellow berries are often toxic.
• Plants with umbrella-shaped flowers frequently belong to families that include toxic species.

What to do when you accidentally eat a toxic plant?

• If you or someone near you has ingested an unknown plant, try to identify the species. 
• Take a photograph of the plant. 
• To provide first-aid advice over the phone, medical professionals will need specific information about the plant and which parts of it were consumed. 
• Drink water and induce vomiting by placing a finger down your throat. 
• If available, take an activated charcoal tablet (after consulting a doctor).

What to do when you have touched a poisonous plant?

• In general, you should immediately rinse the affected area with water. 
• Next, wash the skin with soap or hand sanitizer; do so gently to avoid further irritation. 
• If a large area of ​​skin is affected, or if you have a compromised immune system, contact a doctor.
• If blisters form, do not touch or break them; seek medical attention for treatment.

What are examples of dangerous plants you can encounter while traveling?

Beyond plants with obvious physical defenses like spines or thorns, those that employ chemical defenses pose a significant risk if accidentally touched or ingested. The list below provides examples of highly toxic species; however, in Australia alone, there are thousands of poisonous plant varieties.

Poison ivy / Poison oak

• Identification/characteristics: In both species, the leaves consist of three leaflets. The plants themselves vary in form, ranging from climbing vines to small shrubs, and may have either smooth or slightly hairy leaves.
• Distribution: North America and parts of Asia
• Consequences: an allergic skin reaction that causes intense itching
• Action: if you wash the area of ​​skin that came into contact with the plant within half an hour, the reaction can generally be prevented. The rule here is the sooner, the better. Feeling itchy? Whatever you do, don’t scratch! Take a lukewarm bath or shower to soothe the itch, or apply calamine lotion to the irritated skin. Some of the irritating oil may be on your clothing; remove it carefully, ideally while wearing gloves, and wash everything that came into contact with the plant to prevent the irritation from spreading.

Giant Hogweed

• Identification/characteristics: The leaves resemble a large claw. Compared to other species in the same family, key identifying features include the presence of hairs and the noticeably thickened points where the leaves attach to the stem. 
• Distribution: Originally from Asia, this plant has since become established in temperate regions across Europe and North America.
• Consequences: The plant’s sap causes severe burns. A very light, fleeting touch might not necessarily trigger a reaction. 
• Action: Rinse the sap off your body within 15 minutes. Since the toxin reacts to sunlight, seeking shelter in a dark place is also an option; in that case, have someone else fetch water to wash away the toxin. 
• Did you know? The parsnip is a smaller relative of the hogweed and contains the same toxin in its stems. Other deadly relatives with white, umbrella-shaped flower clusters include rough chervil, poison hemlock, and cowbane (water hemlock).

Stinging Nettle & Co.

• Identification/characteristics: Herbaceous plants that can grow anywhere from 10 cm to 150 cm tall, featuring serrated, hairy leaves.
• Distribution: Found worldwide, though their appearance may vary slightly from country to country. In tropical Australia, there grows a relative that is exceptionally painful to the touch: the Gympie-gympie. The stinging hairs of this shrub-like nettle are so fine that they can even land on your skin through the air as you walk past. 
• Consequences: Unpleasant, though otherwise harmless, itching/pain.
• Action: Do not scratch; it will go away on its own after a few hours.
• Fun fact: Once cooked, this plant is perfectly edible and very healthy. The fibers in its stems can be used to make rope if you are out in the wilderness.

Deadly Nightshade (Belladonna)

• Identification/characteristics: An herbaceous plant with appetizing-looking blue berries, which sit upon a star-shaped calyx. 
• Distribution: Found worldwide, though originally native to Europe and North Africa.
• Consequences: The dark blue berries of this nightshade are highly toxic. Just two berries are enough to be fatal to a child, and an adult could also face a painful death after consuming about ten of them. Unfortunately, unlike many other poisonous berries, these are actually quite sweet and tasty. Touching the plant usually only results in an unpleasant rash that clears up on its own. 
• Fun fact: These berries are not toxic to many animals and birds.

Oleander

• Identification/characteristics: A large shrub with pointed, firm leaves and beautiful pink flowers; it is commonly found in many sunny gardens. 
• Distribution: Grows wild from Southern Europe to East Asia and is also very frequently planted in gardens.
• Consequences: Touching the leaves, for instance, while gardening, causes unpleasant skin irritation. The white sap released when the plant is bruised or damaged triggers a severe skin reaction. Ingesting any part of the plant, even a small piece, can be fatal (though the leaves are so foul-tasting that your body’s natural reflex will likely cause you to spit them out immediately). Furthermore, burning oleander in a campfire releases toxic fumes. 
• Action: Wear long sleeves and gloves when gardening. If you come into contact with the plant, wash your skin with water.

Jimsonweed (Datura; sometimes poetically referred to as "hell’s bells")

• Identification/characteristics: Features beautiful, fragrant, trumpet-shaped flowers on a rather large, foul-smelling plant belonging to the nightshade family.
• Distribution: A North American plant that is also widespread in Europe, where it often grows as a weed in agricultural fields. 
• Consequences: The toxins, concentrated primarily in the flowers and seeds, can cause hallucinations and serious heart rhythm disturbances. Because the concentration of toxins varies significantly depending on the time and the specific part of the plant, several people seeking a hallucinogenic experience have died after consuming it. 
• Did you know? The nightshade family contains a great many toxic species. Tomatoes and potatoes also belong to this family, and their plants are likewise poisonous.

Manchineel tree

• Identification/characteristics: A tree with glossy leaves and fruit that resembles an apple (*manzanilla* means "little apple"). If you pick the fruit or bruise the leaves, you will notice a white sap being released.
• Distribution: This tree, a member of the spurge family, is found in Central and South America as well as on islands such as Aruba, Bonaire, and Curaçao. It often grows on or near the beach. 
• Effects: Contact with the skin causes blistering burns. Ingestion leads to an extremely painful throat and abdomen. While not quite lethal, it is highly dangerous. 
• Did you know? Taking shelter under this tree is not advisable, because sap might occasionally drip down.

More botanical hazards:

• Australian Black Bean (Castanospermum australe): A highly toxic bean found primarily along the east coast of Australia. 
• Strychnine tree (Strychnos nux-vomica): Strychnine is highly toxic, so do not eat! This orange-fruited plant is found in India and Australia; consuming it can lead to severe vomiting and even death. 
• Milky mangrove: Also known as the "blind-your-eye mangrove," this species is found in Asia and Australia. Its white sap causes skin irritation and blistering; if it gets into your eyes, it can cause temporary blindness. 
• Foxglove and Lily of the Valley: If you’re lucky, ingesting these plants will only leave you feeling nauseous, accompanied by vomiting and diarrhea. If you’re unlucky, they can cause your heart to race so violently that it proves fatal.
• Poison Sumac: Along with poison ivy and poison oak, this forms a notorious trio in the United States.
• Raw potatoes and green beans: Toxic; don't be lazy; make sure to cook them first. 
• Carnivorous plants: While they may sound the most dangerous, humans are actually a greater threat to them than they are to us. Don’t put them in your mouth; just gaze at these wondrous plants in awe.

Where can you work with trees, flowers, and plants abroad?

• Ornamental horticulture: all over the world you can find horticulture or ornamental plant businesses. With the right knowledge or experience, you may be able to secure paid employment or an internship. Consider, for example, Colombia, Kenya, Spain, Ethiopia, and Chile.
• Fruit picking: a popular form of seasonal work in countries such as France, Spain, and Australia. Learn more about working as a fruit picker abroad or picking grapes abroad.
• Tree planting: Read more about reforestation and planting trees abroad: why should you do it, and where are the best places to go? 
• Managing estates and reserves: work as a gardener on an estate in France, combat invasive species in Hawaii, or install protective barriers around young saplings on the African savanna.