By Maggie Johnston, OMAHA Neb. – Spooky Season is upon us, and it’s time to celebrate all the wacky and wickedness the world has to offer. Omaha’s local botanical garden, Lauritzen Gardens, has its own way of showcasing what the Season means in the realm of plants. From October 5-November 3, the public can visit a variety of strange and common plants that have a wicked side to them.
The Wicked Plants display features about 50 different plant species, some of which are poisonous. “Our plants here range from poisonous plants to plants that might prick you to some that might give you irritations on your skin, although I’d say the most dangerous plant, we have here is the Castor Bean due to the ricin poison inside it,” said horticulturist Nora Stibbs.
To help show the different effects the plants may have, Lauritzen Gardens has created a wicked dinner party with eight famous guests; all of whom encountered one of the plants displayed. The guests range from Socrates to Nancy Lincoln. Each guest has an informational scroll at their seat that details the potential dangers of the displayed plants.
The exhibit was inspired by a book written by Amy Stewart, ‘Wicked Plants,’ which expands upon the history of different plants. “It is a collection of different plant stories,” says director of marketing Mia Jenkins.
While plants can be pretty beautiful, some are dangerously toxic to humans and animals. “Some of these plants are ornamental plants that people have in their yards, so if you have kids or animals that go out into your yard, it’s always good to double-check,” says Stibbs.
It is always better to be safe than sorry when it comes to having plants inside your home or outdoor garden. Educating oneself about a plant before purchasing it can be very beneficial. “There is no way of knowing what plants are dangerous and which are not, so the best advice I can give is to do research. I suggest going to the local Nebraska extension office,” says Stibbs.
