Fans of forest trips need to know poisonous plants and mushrooms well and be able to distinguish them from their counterparts, otherwise toxic and poisonous substances can lead to poisoning and even death. Among the herbs of forests and meadows there are many poisonous plants that have increased resistance to adverse environmental conditions. While fodder and ornamental herbs, for example, are depressed due to drought, poisonous plants outperform them in growth.
Poisonous plants and mushrooms are shrouded in many myths and legends, a special mythical power is attributed to some poisonous plants. For example, the native inhabitants of New Guinea take the poisonous leaves of Muraba before the battles, since the substance contained in them can cause attacks of heroism, a person completely disappears a sense of fear. It is for these properties that the plant was nicknamed "laughing death." An even stranger method of justice with poisonous fruits is still used in Madagascar. The Tangan nut growing there can kill more than 20 people, but the indigenous population endowed it with the mythical power of finding a criminal. When resolving any conflicts, the elder offers the accused to eat a piece of this fruit, if after that the guilty person remains to live - all charges against him are dropped, if he dies, his guilt is confirmed.
Climatic conditions exert their influence on the accumulation of toxic substances in mushrooms and plants: the hotter the climate, the more diverse and dangerous poisonous plants and mushrooms. Under the conditions of the Arctic and subarctic climate, less poison is found in plants and fungi. Poison also accumulates unevenly in parts of plants: in some, it accumulates in the root, in others in the stems, and in the third, in fruits, seeds, and inflorescences. Plant poison splits for a very long time, some plants, even dried for several years, do not lose their destructive power for humans.
Among the poisonous mushrooms, a fly agaric has a special place, which has pronounced signs - a red hat with white spots, but some poisonous and non-toxic mushrooms are difficult to distinguish. For example, pale grebe can easily be confused with russula, and false inedible honey agaric with edible. Mushrooms by category of edibility – inedibility are divided into 4 groups:
- Edible - they can be eaten;
- Conditionally edible - eating is possible after soaking, certain heat treatment or drying;
- Inedible - for culinary purposes they are not used due to low taste (stiffness, unpleasant smell, taste);
- Poisonous - eating can lead to death.
Poisonous plants and mushrooms in contact with them can have an effect on human skin: redness, itching, blisters will appear. Therefore, if you doubt the plant belongs to a certain class, it is better not to break it. If the contact of human skin with the poisonous juice of the plant could not be avoided, it is necessary to wash the affected area with soap and water.
Mushrooms and plants pose a special danger for young children who are prone to any unfamiliar object, the plant "pull in the mouth." Use a little advice: young children are very curious, and when they ask you a question: "What are poisonous mushrooms?" try to answer as detailed as possible. Tell us about the fly agaric, toadstool, false value, mountain traveler - these types of mushrooms pose a serious threat to humans. Of the poisonous plants, lily of the valley, celandine, castor oil plant, aconite, and the raven eye should be noted.
First aid for poisoning is to free the stomach from toxic contents and seek qualified medical help. After thorough gastric lavage, any medication with absorbing properties (coal, enterodesis, etc.) must be taken.
