A highly poisonous plant capable of killing humans has been discovered washed up on beaches in the United Kingdom, prompting urgent safety warnings from rescue authorities.
Coastguard Issues Urgent Public Warning
The HM Bembridge Coastguard Rescue Team on the Isle of Wight issued a stark alert on January 12 after finding specimens of Hemlock Water Dropwort, colloquially known as Dead Man's Fingers, on the beach at Bembridge. The team explicitly advised visitors to keep children and pets away from the plant, emphasising that ingestion is dangerous and potentially deadly.
The plant's white roots contain a potent nerve toxin called oenanthotoxin. These roots bear a close resemblance to a bunch of parsnips and emit a similar smell, making them dangerously easy to mistake for food. Authorities stress that this plant is among the most poisonous found in the UK.
Rapid and Fatal Consequences
Consuming even a small portion of the plant can have severe and swift consequences. The toxin attacks the central nervous system, potentially leading to violent convulsions and death by asphyxia within a few hours. The warning applies equally to animals, with the coastguard spokesperson stating plainly: "Even a small portion can prove fatal to humans by attacking the nervous system. It is also fatal to animals."
The recent sightings are believed to be a direct result of stormy weather disturbing coastal areas where the plant grows. "It is highly likely that this is washing ashore due to the recent stormy weather," the coastguard noted, urging extra vigilance for those walking dogs or with families on the beach.
A Wider Pattern of Danger
This is not an isolated incident. In December, the same toxic plant was found strewn along a 20-mile stretch of coastline in Cumbria. The threat has proven tragically real in the past; last year, at least four dogs died and many more fell ill after walks on beaches in Cornwall and Carmarthenshire in southwest Wales.
Further north, Police Scotland was compelled to issue a similar warning after Dead Man's Fingers washed up on the shores of Loch Glip near Ardrishaig and Lochgilphead. Their advice mirrored that of the coastguard: do not touch the plant and keep animals well away.
Despite some local scepticism on social media questioning why anyone would eat the plant, authorities are taking no chances given its lethal potential and deceptive appearance. The coastguard's final advice is clear: "Please avoid this plant and take extra care when visiting the beach." In any coastal emergency, the public should dial 999 and ask for the Coastguard.
Hemlock Water Dropwort (Oenanthe crocata) has umbrella-like flower clusters that smell of wine, but every part of the plant is deadly, with the highest concentration of toxin in its roots. Historically, its potency was exploited for executions and pest control.
