A Guide to Poisonous Plants in Massachusetts
Massachusetts is home to a diverse range of plant life, including many species that can cause irritation or injury if touched. Being able to identify poisonous plants is an important safety skill for gardeners, hikers, and anyone spending time outdoors in the state.
This guide covers some of the most common poisonous plants found in Massachusetts. Learn how to spot these harmful species and avoid contact to prevent rashes, blisters, and other reactions.
Poison Ivy
Poison ivy is one of the most notorious toxic plants in Massachusetts. This woody vine grows along the ground, up trees, and on other plants throughout the state.
Poison ivy can take the form of a trailing vine or groundcover, or grow as a shrub up to 4 feet tall. Its leaves comprise three glossy, pointed leaflets. Leaves turn red in fall.
Poison ivy secretes an oily resin called urushiol that causes an itchy, blistering rash in most people. The urushiol resides on all parts of the plant and can spread via contaminated objects.
Avoid all contact with poison ivy. Learn how to identify this hazardous plant so you can steer clear of areas where it grows.
Poison Sumac
Poison sumac is a woody shrub found in swampy, wetland habitats in Massachusetts. Unlike poison ivy, it does not grow as a vine.
Poison sumac has a symmetrical shape with upright branches. The leaves comprise 7-13 smooth leaflets in pairs along the stem. Greenish-white berries develop in fall.
The plant secretes the same urushiol oil as poison ivy. Contact causes a delayed itchy rash that can worsen dramatically if the plant is burned.
Since poison sumac grows exclusively in very wet areas, avoiding swamps and marshes will reduce risk of exposure.
Poison Oak
Poison oak is closely related to poison ivy. While its western cousin is common, poison oak is relatively rare in Massachusetts.
This low shrub has fuzzy green leaves divided into three leaflets, resembling poison ivy. It produces clusters of round, cream-colored berries.
Poison oak contains the same toxic urushiol as poison ivy. Contact with any part of the plant can result in a red, swollen rash.
Since poison oak mainly grows in southeastern Massachusetts, this area poses the greatest risk of exposure.
Giant Hogweed
Giant hogweed is a towering invasive plant reaching up to 14 feet tall when in flower. It has thick, ridged stems and massive leaves up to 5 feet wide.
Dense clusters of white flowers appear in spring through summer on umbrella-shaped structures up to 2.5 feet wide.
The clear, watery sap contains toxins that react with sunlight to cause severe burns, blistering, and temporary or permanent blindness if exposed to eyes.
Giant hogweed poses a serious hazard, but it has a limited distribution in Massachusetts. Report any sightings to state authorities for removal.
Wild Parsnip
Wild parsnip is another introduced species that invades fields, meadows, and roadsides across Massachusetts.
This tall, weedy plant has a grooved stem and leaves composed of broad, irregularly toothed leaflets. Yellow flowers form in umbrella-shaped clusters.
Like giant hogweed, wild parsnip contains chemicals called furanocoumarins that cause phytophotodermatitis when combined with UV rays. This results in painful burns and blisters.
Wear protective clothing in habitats prone to wild parsnip and promptly wash skin after any potential contact.
Stinging Nettle
Stinging nettle is a common native perennial found in moist woods, fields, and thickets in Massachusetts. It has a square, hairy stem reaching 3-7 feet high.
Distinctive heart or oval-shaped leaves grow oppositely along the stem and are sharply toothed. Tiny greenish flowers appear in summer.
Stinging nettle is armed with hollow hairs that inject irritating chemicals when touched, causing a stinging rash. Stinging usually subsides within a few hours.
Wearing long pants and sleeves provides protection if you need to enter nettle-infested areas.
Wood Nettle
Wood nettle resembles its better-known cousin but prefers the habitat of moist, rich forests. It has alternate leaves and rounder tooth shapes.
Like stinging nettle, wood nettle has stinging hairs on its leaves and stems that release chemicals causing irritation and blisters on contact.
Familiarize yourself with the appearance of wood nettle to avoid brushes in woodland settings. Protective clothing can prevent stings.
Bull Nettle
Bull nettle is a wild edible plant found in partly shaded forests and edges across Massachusetts.
It has an upright, unbranched stem lined with pairs of large oval leaves up to 7 inches long. Tiny greenish flowers emerge from the leaf axils.
The leaf undersides and stems are covered in stinging hairs. While bull nettle is edible when boiled, contact with raw parts induces a painful rash.
Positive identification is vital before harvesting bull nettle to avoid confusion with its toxic cousins.
Black-Eyed Susan
Black-eyed Susan is a popular perennial wildflower grown in gardens across Massachusetts.
This upright plant has lance-shaped leaves and distinctive flowers with golden yellow petals and dark brown centers.
Despite its innocent appearance, black-eyed Susan contains sesquiterpene lactones that can cause allergic skin reactions resembling poison ivy in sensitive individuals.
Wear gloves and long sleeves when handling this plant. Immediately wash skin after contact to avoid possible rashes.
Mayapple
Mayapple is a unique woodland plant found in Massachusetts forests and floodplains. Two large, umbrella-shaped leaves rise from the base on a single stalk.
A solitary nodding white flower hides beneath the leaves, producing a yellowish edible fruit in late summer.
While ripe mayapple fruit is non-toxic, all other parts of the plant contain dangerous compounds and must be avoided. Contact causes skin and eye irritation.
Never eat mayapple fruit unless you have positively identified the plant to avoid poisoning.
Lupine
Lupine is a showy wildflower along roadsides and open areas across Massachusetts. Spikes of vivid blue or purple pea-like flowers bloom in late spring.
The hand-shaped leaves have 5-11 leaflets radiating from a central point. Two types occur: bigleaf and sundial lupine.
Lupine contains toxic alkaloids that can cause nausea, vomiting, and neurologic effects if ingested. They also irritate skin. Never eat any part of the plant.
To avoid reaction, cover skin and wash immediately after contact with sap or crushed leaves and flowers.
Foxglove
Foxglove is a classic cottage garden perennial with tall stalks of tubular flowers prized for their beauty. Wild foxglove grows in some parts of Massachusetts.
All parts of the foxglove plant contain cardiac glycosides that are toxic to the heart if ingested and can be absorbed through skin.
Never swallow any part of foxglove. Wear gloves when handling cut flowers and prompt wash hands afterwards.
Keep foxglove away from children’s reach and teach them not to put any part of the plant in their mouth.
Rhododendron
Rhododendrons are popular evergreen landscape shrubs prized for their colorful blooms. Some native species grow wild in Massachusetts.
Toxic substances called grayanotoxins occur throughout rhododendron plants. Ingesting leaves, flowers or nectar can cause nausea, vomiting, difficulty breathing, coma and even death.
While serious poisonings are rare, take care to keep children from putting any parts in their mouth. Avoid consuming honey made from rhododendron flowers.
Key Tips for Plant Safety
Here are some top ways to avoid injury from poisonous plants in Massachusetts:
- Learn to identify hazardous species in your area
- Wear protective clothing like gloves, long sleeves and pants
- Thoroughly wash skin after potential exposure
- Never burn vegetation containing toxic plants
- Teach children to avoid touching mouth after contact
- Only eat wild edible plants if positively identified
- Watch for allergic reactions to ornamentals like black-eyed Susan
- See a doctor for severe skin reactions or suspected poisoning
Taking some basic precautions allows you to safely enjoy Massachusetts’ beautiful outdoor spaces and plant life. Quickly seek medical care if you experience concerning symptoms after contact with toxic flora.
Disclaimer: This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. Always consult with a healthcare professional before starting any new treatment regimen.
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