12 Noxious Garden Plants That Are Known For Skin Damage

horticulture should be a joyful escapism — turn over in racy soil , planting vivacious blooms , and take in life story unfurl at your fingertip ! But it ’s such a bummer when a simple pruning session turns into a painful lesson in plant chemistry . Some seemingly innocent garden denizens nurse strong thorn that can leave you with blisters , skin rash , or uncollectible if you ’re not measured .

Whether you ’re taming a wild patch or curating cosmetic beds , spot the plants that puzzle skin - terms risk of exposure is crucial . I ’ve con the hard way that gloves and arm are n’t always enough — knowing what you ’re up against lets you plan ahead , suit up properly , and still relish every moment with your gullible friends without ending up sidelined by a foul rash .

Calla Lily (Zantedeschia spp.)

originate from southern Africa and generally non - invasive , calla lilies are prized for their sculpturesque , trumpet - shaped bloom . Yet inside those graceful spathes lurks urine - soluble atomic number 20 oxalate crystals that can cause burning and swelling if sap link skin !

I once admired a clump of Maria Meneghini Callas so much I strain in without gloves — only to drop the afternoon dabbing anti - itch cream on stinging welt . Now I treat each stem like a miniature cactus , clipping flowers with pruner and wearing gantlet to keep those sneaky crystals at alcove !

Giant Hogweed (Heracleum mantegazzianum)

This prodigious plant herald from the Caucasus region and has become aggressively trespassing in many temperate zones . Standing over ten foot grandiloquent , its umbrella - sized efflorescence head teacher hide sap packed with furanocoumarins that sensitize your skin to sunlight — resulting in burns so stern they can scar for life !

After an ill - fated attempt to take away a volunteer hogweed shoot without full coverage , I get word to mist foliage with targeted herbicide at dusk — when ultraviolet illumination ray are low — and wear every fight of protective vesture . Trust me , approaching this botanical giant demands utmost caution !

Lantana camara

Native to tropic America and notorious for invasiveness in lovesome climates , lantana camara sports scratchy , redolent leafage that release vegetable oil adequate to of make contact dermatitis . Handling its colourful flower clusters without gloves often leads to prick , red fleck that itch relentlessly !

I ’ve prune lantana in light shirts — only to repent it within hr as my arms burned . Nowadays , I slip into sturdy sleeves and long baseball glove before any trimming , and I cast out of carving in sealed bags to keep the irritating oils moderate .

Buttercup (Ranunculus acris)

Native to Europe and naturalized — sometimes invasive — in meadows worldwide , buttercup exudes ranunculin , which converts to skin - irritating protoanemonin on contact . Brushing past its shiny folio often leaves gardener with a burning blizzard and small blisters !

When I planted a wild flower border , I underestimated these pollyannaish yellow blossom — only to line up myself dabbing hemimorphite app after an unlucky brush . Now I deadhead buttercups with long - handled shears and remove detritus promptly to minimize inadvertent contact .

Common Rue (Ruta graveolens)

Hailing from the Mediterranean and non - encroaching in most gardens , rue ’s bluish foliage hides furanocoumarins alike to those in hogweed . Even a brief sap smear can conduce to phytophotodermatitis — painful blisters triggered by sunshine !

I adore rue ’s lacy texture , but only deal it with finger guards and optic auspices . If I brush against it unexpectedly , I lap straight off and void Dominicus exposure for several hours to prevent those ill-famed blisters .

Garden Spurge (Euphorbia lathyris)

Also called mole plant , garden spurge originates from Eurasia and has escaped cultivation in many regions . Its milklike latex check diterpenes that inflame pelt , causing red , itch , and blister on exposed areas !

While dividing spurge clump , I once feel a stinging sensation through my gloves — sap had squirted onto my forearm . Now I wear off gauntlet and wash any exposed skin thoroughly with soap and water to neutralize the irritant .

Cow Parsnip (Heracleum maximum)

A North American native and non - invasive in its natural range , cow Pastinaca sativa resembles its jumbo cousin-german but is more or less smaller . Yet its sap still carries furanocoumarins capable of trigger severe sun - activated burn !

During a track - clearing project , I grabbed a moo-cow Pastinaca sativa stalk and returned home with blistered arms . Ever since , I identify its extensive , deep lobate leaves and heavyset , haired stems before step in — then suit up with long sleeves and gloves for any remotion .

Greater Celandine (Chelidonium majus)

Originally from Europe and incursive in contribution of North America , greater celandine seepage bright orange sap when cut — an thorn that causes crimson , itchy patches and sometimes weep blisters !

I once thought its cheerful , buttercup - like flowers would be harmless , only to light upon painful welts after careless pruning . Now I handle celandine only with heavy nitrile gloves and long sleeves , and I wash creature right away to annul cross - contamination .

Bracken Fern (Pteridium aquilinum)

A ecumenical species native in many regions — and invasive in others — bracken fern ’s young frond contain bantam hair and chemical substance irritants that can wake skin on contact . Repeated brushing against a dim Pteridium esculentum patch often go to persistent rash !

To clear pasture brake , I squash new fiddleheads before they unfurl , wear down branch - distance gauntlets to avoid contact . Regular monitoring prevent those mire thickets that snag skin and resign more irritants .

Poison Sumac (Toxicodendron vernix)

Thriving in easterly North American wetlands , poison sumac ’s drooping bunch of brochure front innocuous until you shake up its sap . With urushiol level even higher than poison ivy , it get severe blistering and protrusion that may need medical care !

I keep my distance from shrubs with nine to thirteen smooth - edged leaflets and shiny stems . When survey wetland tolerance , I don full rainproof train and rinse with cold water immediately if sap picture is surmise .

Poison Ivy (Toxicodendron radicans)

A ill-famed North American native ( non - incursive outside its habitat ) , poison ivy ’s trifoliolate leaves conceal urushiol oil that triggers intensely itchy rash in most people . Even utter vines or sens from burned plants spread the irritant !

I ’ve trained myself to spot the glistening , three - foliage clusters and hairlike aerial rootage . Pruning or remotion always entails disposable sleeves , gloves , and seal administration bags to check every trace of urushiol .

Poison Oak (Toxicodendron diversilobum)

Native to westerly North America and non - trespassing elsewhere , poison oak tree ’s oak - similar lobed leaves release urushiol upon striking , leading to blistering rash that can last for weeks ! Even vestigial vines cohere to branches long after dormancy , posing risks during copse clearing .