The flower commonly known as the “flower of death” refers to a few specific plant species that have earned this ominous moniker. These plants are given this name because they contain toxins that can cause severe illness or even death if ingested. Some of the most infamous death flowers include aconite, oleander, and rosary pea. But why exactly have these flowers been saddled with such a dire nickname? Read on to learn more about the toxins in these plants and how they can be dangerous if used improperly.
What Plants Are Known as the Flower of Death?
There are three main types of plants that bear the common name “flower of death”:
Aconite
Aconite, also known as monkshood or wolfsbane, refers to any plant species in the genus Aconitum. There are over 250 species of aconite, and they are all poisonous. These perennial herbaceous plants are native to mountainous regions of the Northern Hemisphere. All parts of the aconite plant, especially the roots and tubers, contain a toxin known as aconitine.
Oleander
Oleander (Nerium oleander) is an evergreen shrub or small tree that is native to the Mediterranean region. It is also grown as an ornamental plant in warm climates around the world. The leaves, stems, sap, and flowers of oleander contain chemicals known as cardiac glycosides. These chemicals interfere with proper heart function.
Rosary Pea
Rosary pea (Abrus precatorius) is a tropical and subtropical legume known for its shiny scarlet and black seeds, which are used to make rosary beads. The seeds contain the toxin abrin, which is similar to the ricin found in castor beans. Even a single chewed seed can be fatal.
Why Are These Flowers So Toxic?
Each of the death flowers contains a different toxin that can harm humans and animals if ingested:
Aconitine in Aconite
Aconite gets its toxicity from alkaloids called aconitine and related compounds. Aconitine is a neurotoxin and cardiotoxin. It works by opening sodium channels in the heart and nerves, causing abnormal heart rhythms, hypotension, and respiratory paralysis. Death can occur within a few hours of ingesting a fatal dose.
Cardiac Glycosides in Oleander
The toxins in oleander are cardiac glycosides such as oleandrin and oleandroside. These chemicals disrupt electrolyte balance and inhibit the sodium-potassium ATPase enzyme in heart muscle cells. This causes the heart to beat irregularly or stop altogether. Just a few oleander leaves can be lethal.
Abrin in Rosary Pea
Abrin found in rosary peas is a ribosome-inactivating protein, meaning that it prevents ribosomes from synthesizing proteins inside cells. Abrin is extremely toxic, estimated to be around 75 times more poisonous than ricin. Ingesting just one rosary pea seed can kill an adult human.
How Do the Toxins in Death Flowers Harm Humans?
When ingested, the toxins found in flowers of death can wreak havoc on the human body:
Nervous System Effects
The aconitine in aconite causes numbness, tingling, and paralysis by blocking sodium channel function in nerves. Abrin in rosary peas also impairs neuronal function. Victims may experience weakness, impaired vision, headache, nausea, and convulsions.
Cardiovascular Effects
Aconitine from aconite and cardiac glycosides from oleander both interfere with proper heart rhythm by altering electrolyte flux and channel function in heart cells. This leads to ventricular tachycardia, fibrillation, hypotension, and cardiac arrest.
Gastrointestinal Effects
Ingesting death flowers causes severe burning and irritation in the mouth, throat, and gastrointestinal tract. Other symptoms include drooling, loss of appetite, abdominal pain, vomiting, and diarrhea. Victims may develop liver and kidney dysfunction.
Death from Toxicity
Depending on the dose, death from toxicity can occur within minutes to hours after exposure. Lethal poisoning causes cardiac arrhythmia leading to heart failure, respiratory paralysis, multiple organ dysfunction, and cardiac arrest. The toxins disrupt cell signaling so profoundly that death results.
Historical Cases of Death Flower Poisonings
Unfortunately, death flowers have claimed many lives throughout history, both intentionally and accidentally:
Homicide
– Ancient Greek warriors used aconite-tipped arrows to hunt and battle foes.
– The wife of King Henry I of England likely used aconite to poison her husband in the 12th century.
– Oleander has been used to poison enemies, criminals, and even dinner guests by dropping leaves in food.
Suicide
– Aconite root has been used in traditional Chinese medicine for centuries as a poison for suicide or execution.
– Japanese soldiers took aconite to commit suicide rather than be captured during WWII.
Accidental Poisoning
– Children have died from making jewelry or eating seeds from ornamental rosary peas.
– People camping near oleanders have accidentally used branches to roast food.
– Foragers have mistakenly consumed wild aconite thinking it was edible.
Murders by Poisoning
– Aconite was used by the 19th century serial killer Dr. Edward William Pritchard.
– TheBulgaria umbrellamurderer Georgi Markov was assassinated with ricin in 1978.
– Some scholars believe aconite caused Mozart’s mysterious sudden death in 1791.
Why “Flower of Death” Is an Apt Nickname
The menacing moniker “flower of death” is clearly well-deserved by aconite, oleander, and rosary peas based on their deadly toxicity. Here’s why it’s such an appropriate nickname:
Extreme Toxicity
The toxins in these plants interfere with vital systems like the heart and nerves that control involuntary muscles. Even tiny doses rapidly cause disabling symptoms and death. They are some of the most poisonous plants on Earth.
Deceptively Innocent Appearance
With their showy, colorful flowers and appealing berries, these plants seem innocuous. But their beauty belies their toxicity. People don’t realize the danger because they resemble harmless ornamental flowers.
Long History of Poisonings
For thousands of years, people have suffered poisoning and death from accidental ingestion or intentional misuse of these plants. Their notoriety as deadly poisons persists through history.
Wide Availability Despite Toxicity
Although highly poisonous, these plants are common in gardens, florists, backyards, and in the wild. Their continued availability makes poisonings ongoing risks.
Conclusion
The menacing moniker “flower of death” is apt for aconite, oleander, and rosary peas, three flowering plants that contain lethal toxins. Aconitine, cardiac glycosides, and abrin are the chemicals responsible for making ingestion of these flowers potentially fatal. Throughout history, the extreme toxicity of death flowers has led to many poisonings, both intentional and accidental. Their deceptively pretty flowers and accessibility create an ongoing risk. So handle these plants only with caution—one taste of their toxins can truly be deadly.