Beware These Poisonous Plants Are Growing Here in the Big Country
About three weeks ago and after that three-day-rain, I noticed my yard that is 2½ acres full of new weeds. Many had cute little flowers on them in every color in the rainbow. What a beautiful blanket of color in my yard, I thought to myself.
As I tried to pick a couple of those flowers to give my wife, I stuck myself with some sharp little thorns; it was then that the itching began. Yep, a poisonous little plant did not want to be picked.
These are the Highly Poisonous Plants that can be found in our backyards:
The website WebMD.com recently published a list of the top 15 poisonous/toxic, allergic-reacting foliage that we must stay clear from. While several are not indigenous to Texas, many of these plants are from right here in West Texas.
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As I surveyed the rest of my yard when I noticed a lot of thorny vines, prickly-flowers, and right there at the corner of my property, the infamous not-to-be-mistaken poison oak. What's worse is that, as I was riding my lawnmower, I accidentally brushed against some other vines that were entangled in my old chain-link fence.
I started looking around to discover yet more highly poisonous plants and their dangerous tiny blooms with their uninviting thorns. Now here I am looking up what these plants are, figuring out how to rid my yard of all this toxic foliage.
What I learned is that many of these plants and vines are growing wild throughout West Texas and right here in Abilene and they are dangerous. While you and I can stay clear of the toxic vines and plants, look out for children and even more so for pets and livestock.
A word of advice, if you suspect an allergic reaction or poisoning, call 911. If someone is having trouble breathing, experiencing loss of consciousness, or having a seizure, call 911 right then and there! If your throat or mouth feels burned or irritated, try to drink some milk and call 911 right away. If the poison comes into contact with your skin, rinse and seek medical help. Do Not take chances.
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