5 Poisonous plants to spot on your next Woodland Walk

Deadly nightshade (Atropa belladonna)

Though its beautiful bell-shaped flowers may be very inviting, this perennial’s common name is well-earned. In small quantities its leaves and berries can produce hallucinogenic effects, affect your memory, and make it difficult to stand. Just a handful of berries may be enough to kill, with symptoms including a rash, confusion, and a high heart rate before inevitable death. Avoid it at all costs!

Satan’s bolete (Rubroboletus satanas)

Commonly found in broad-leaved woodlands like the ones at Markshall Estate, these fungi pop up between June and September across the UK. Easily spotted by their blood red stalks and pores, Satan’s bolete can cause horrific gastrointestinal problems if eaten. Poisoning cases are rare, partly due to its off-putting smell which is similar to that of rotting flesh – nasty!

Fly agaric (Amanita muscaria)

Instantly recognisable with its bright red cap and white spots, you might be surprised to learn that this mushroom has psychoactive and potentially deadly effects. Often consumed by mistake, some of the psychoactive agents found in its spores convert into a powerful neurotoxin shortly after ingestion. Fortunately modern medicine means that fatal poisonings are rare, with no provable cases reported in over 100 years. If you spot it in our Arboretum give it a wide berth!