The Peach State isn’t the most dangerous place in the world by any stretch, but there are still some dangerous things in Georgia that it’s best to avoid. We all teach our kids to be wary of strangers and wild animals, and we all keep an eye out for venomous snakes when out on trails. However, there are some scary things in Georgia that look a little less scary, which can make them difficult to avoid. We have a number of poisonous plants in Georgia that are incredibly dangerous when ingested by people and pets. Some others can cause severe problems just from touching them! One of the most dangerous plants in Georgia is poison sumac, and it grows throughout the southeastern U.S. Here’s some more information – you’ll definitely want to keep an eye out for this one in your yard:

Poison sumac (sometimes called swamp sumach or thunderwood) is a small tree that can grow up to 30 feet tall if left untrimmed. It looks innocent enough, but it's one of the most poisonous plants in the southern United States.
Anna Hesser/Flickr
From a young age, we're all taught to avoid poison ivy, which is also prevalent in Georgia, but poison sumac can be just as dangerous.
Micha L. Rieser/Wikimedia Commons
Like poison ivy, poison sumac has a resin called urushiol that causes severe irritation to the skin if touched. If it's burned, you can actually get a rash inside of your lungs that can be fatal.
Robert H. Mohlenbrock @ USDA-NRCS PLANTS Database/Wikimedia Commons

Related Stories

You Might Be Surprised To Hear The Predictions About Georgia's Damp And Wet Upcoming Winter

You Might Be Surprised To Hear The Predictions About Georgia's Damp And Wet Upcoming Winter

 A Murder Hornet's Relative Was Just Found In Georgia - Here's What We Know

A Murder Hornet's Relative Was Just Found In Georgia - Here's What We Know

 Everything You Need To Know About The Aggressive Bobcat On The Loose In Georgia

Everything You Need To Know About The Aggressive Bobcat On The Loose In Georgia
Poison sumac is actually more dangerous and causes worse rashes than either poison ivy or poison oak, though the plants are all related.
Keith Kanoti, Maine Forest Service, Bugwood.org/Wikimedia Commons
Another deadly plant in Georgia is belladonna, also known as deadly nightshade. It's a relative of the tomato and potato family, but is extremely toxic if the leaves or berries are consumed.
Tom Oates/Wikimedia Commons
One poisonous plant that hasn't been spotted in Georgia yet but has been making headlines is giant hogweed.
Dietmar Rabich/Wikimedia Commons
This member of the carrot family is native to Europe, but has been spreading through the U.S. over the last few years. It's dangerous if touched and can cause severe rashes.

Have you ever seen any of these poisonous plants in Georgia? Share your experiences in the comments!

And if you happen to come across any poison ivy, poison oak, or poison sumac while working in your backyard, these poison ivy wipes from REI are great for soothing your skin and minimizing irritation.

 

OnlyInYourState may earn compensation through affiliate links in this article. As an Amazon Associate, we earn from qualifying purchases.

Related Articles

Explore Georgia