Poisonous Plants Growing in Your Texas Neighborhood

Approximately two weeks ago and about three days after it rained, I noticed my yard was full of new weeds. Many had cute little flowers on them in every color of the rainbow. What a beautiful blanket of color in my yard, I thought to myself.

As I tried to pick a couple, however, 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.

As I surveyed the rest of my yard (a little over three acres,) 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 the toxic foliage.

Here is what I discovered - many of these plants and vines are growing wild all throughout West Texas and many are dangerous. While you and I can stay clear of the toxic vines and plants, look out for children and even moreso for pets and livestock.

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 the Lone Star State.

These are the highly poisonous plants that can be found in our backyards:

LOOK: These Toxic, Poisonous Plants Are Grown Right Under Your Nose

Sources: WebMD, TPWD Highly Poisonous Plants, and Bing Poisonous Plants

A word of advice, if you suspect an allergic reaction or poisoning, call 911. If someone is having a seizure, having trouble breathing, or experiencing loss of consciousness, call for 911 right away. If your throat or mouth feels burned or irritated, try to drink some milk and call 911. If the poison came into contact with your skin, rinse and seek help. Do not take chances.

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To prepare yourself for a potential incident, always keep your vet's phone number handy, along with an after-hours clinic you can call in an emergency. The ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center also has a hotline you can call at (888) 426-4435 for advice.

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Source: Are These Poisonous Plants Growing in Your Texas Neighborhood?

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