Some of our favorite memories might stem from enjoying nature and the great outdoors with family, friends, and/or the community. However, there are some aspects of nature that could be intimidating and threating for some people and animals.

Hiking in the woods and playing in the park may not be optional for those who have environmental allergies. No one wants a bee sting or an insect bite that could lead to a hospital visit. And, who really has time to remember those rules about snakes: Red touched black—safe for Jack; red touches yellow—kill a fellow.

But, there are other dangers—even for people who are free from allergens.

Most of us are familiar with poison oak and poison ivy based on stories from relatives and friends who had terrible skin reactions to these plants—or we may have had these rashes and blisters ourselves. However, there are other deceiving plants that we should be weary of.  Some include: spotted water hemlock, rosary pea, oleander, angel’s trumpets, and elderberry.

The University of South Florida’s Botanical Garden, located in Tampa, Florida, conducts events for the public to learn about how these plants can be toxic. Most of the groundskeepers and workers of the facility are students at USF.  Craig Huegel, a professor and author is the director of the gardens.  One of the USF Botanical events: Poisonous Plants is led by Huegel— aiding the community about vegetation and how to be smart with and around wildlife.  Part of the tour, Huegel warns patrons about spotted water hemlock that can be found along the edge of swamps and rivers, so when our domestic dogs run to fetch a stick or try to sip water, they can be near this plant—eat it, which causes illness or fatality.

Another lesson on the tour is Elderberry which has been trending as beneficial to our health. However, it is not as helpful as it may appear to be. For instance, if the plant is not cooked– the raw seeds, leaves, and bark of the tree are toxic.  So, out in the wild, eating elderberry in its natural state is deadly.

In addition, the tour provides information on rosary pea, red beadlike pellets that can be toxic. Even though some parts of the plant have been used for home remedies it can cause illness and heart complications. Huegel explains that birds like to eat rosary pea and do not chew food like humans do.  Instead, the birds gulp rosary pea “whole”, and are not harmed by the fluids like us.  However, the bird excrement can be threatening to the soil, so if the rosary pea spreads—seeds and all– it needs to be killed.

Huegel informs the public about the USF’s Beekeeping program which is currently, running at the Botanical Gardens.  Also, his insight on oleander, honey made from the flower, can be attributed to death, so another caution to nature lovers, and those who enjoy honey and who craft mead—be careful of suspicious toxins.