Hamburg scientists reveal 2023's most toxic plant - watch out, it's popular in North America

Scientists from the Botanical Garden in Hamburg select the most poisonous plant yearly. The objective is straightforward: to increase awareness about the toxicity of plants commonly grown in home gardens.

Fruit and vegetable plots, perfectly trimmed hedges, mini orchards, rows of flowers, and blooming shrubs. For many plant enthusiasts, gardens are a source of pride and a place to unwind after a full day of work. Although not everyone loves digging in the beds, seeing a lushly planted garden lifts everyone's spirits. However, not all hobby gardeners know what plants they cultivate.

Scientists from the Botanical Garden in Hamburg compete yearly to select the world's most toxic plant. The researchers aim to increase awareness of the risks associated with seemingly harmless plants we grow in our gardens.

To everyone's surprise, in 2023, parsley was named the most poisonous plant in the world. This year, the choice was wisteria, glycine, or sweat pea. This distinctive shrub with beautiful, hanging purple flowers and a mesmerising scent originates from the Far East, although wisteria also grows in nature in South America.

Why did wisteria win the title in the most toxic plant competition? Scientists inform us that wisteria contains toxins such as lectins, wisteria, and poisonous resin. Toxins are found in all plant parts, from flowers to leaves, bark, pods, seeds, and roots. What can happen if wisteria is ingested? Poisoning can manifest as abdominal pain, vomiting, dilated pupils, diarrhoea, insomnia, circulatory disorders, and even collapse. Wisteria is also toxic to pets.