There’s A Deadly Plant Growing In Oregon Yards That Looks Like A Harmless Weed
By Will Suphan|Published August 25, 2023
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Will Suphan
Author
Will has been living in Arizona off and on for 30+ years in the Phoenix Metro and Tucson areas. He has traveled all over the state as well as having lived all over the Southwest. He's been writing for OnlyInYourState for one year and has previously written for Digital Journal. Will has a passion for travel and writing and combining the two is what he loves most. He loves solo international travel and has been to Thailand, France, Japan, and Cambodia.
We have so much lovely flora and foliage in Oregon and many of us love to forage, explore, and take in all the beauty and bounty of nature. Yet, we have to be careful because there are toxic plants that resemble harmless plants and some of them grow in our own yards! One deadly plant in Oregon to watch out for is foxglove.
Many plants are as beautiful as they are dangerous and foxglove is certainly both. Extremely diluted, it is used in some medicines, but as is, the stems, leaves, seeds, and flowers of this plant are toxic to humans and can cause irregular or slowed heartbeat, collapse, shock, nausea, blurred vision, disorientation, weakness, and even death in those with certain medical issues.
The danger is compounded due to foxglove resembling other, more harmless plants, especially when not in bloom. For instance, mullein and foxglove look quite similar without flowers. Both look rather fuzzy with little hairs all over, however, mullein has somewhat more rounded serrations edges and foxglove is more sharply serrated.
Comfrey is a plant that can resemble foxglove when in bloom. The drooping flowers have a similar hue to some foxglove flowers. Like with mullein, you want to look for smoother edges on the leaves compared to foxglove’s jagged edges.
When not in bloom, borage can look quite a bit like foxglove. Borage’s leaves are not as fuzzy and the edges are more curly and textured. However, the flower stalks prior to blooming can look quite similar to that of foxglove.
One way to differentiate foxglove from other plants is the telltale spots in the flowers. Not all of them have them, so it’s still not a certainty. Some people like to grow them for their beauty, however. But, it is toxic not only to humans but to dogs and cats as well.
If someone ingests foxglove, immediately call your local poison control center or 9-1-1. Do not induce vomiting unless directed by a medical professional. Enjoy the beauty of nature, but keep a sharp eye out and be safe!
Have you had any close calls with this deadly plant in Oregon? Let us know in the comments. If you want to learn more about Oregon’s plant life, book a stay in Portland and visit the Hoyt Arbouretum.
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