Poisonous trees and shrubs grow all around us in the Czech Republic – in forests, parks, gardens and even next to children's playgrounds. Yew, mezereon, spindle and laburnum are species that tempt us with their beauty, but their fruits, bark and needles can cause serious poisoning or death. Get to know them before it is too late – start with our interactive quiz and continue with the detailed guide.
🎮 Quiz: Can you recognise poisonous trees and shrubs?
🌳 Looking for a gift made of natural wood? At AMADEA you will find handmade products from Czech forests – from decorations to kitchen accessories.
Visit AMADEAA guide to the poisonous trees and shrubs of Czech forests and gardens
Czech forests, parks and gardens hide a surprising number of woody plants that are dangerous to people. Learning to recognise them is especially important for families with children – children are the most frequent victims of poisoning by attractive, colourful fruits. Wooden products made from safe local woods, such as those from the AMADEA workshop, on the other hand bring nature closer in a safe way.
Yew – Taxus baccata
The yew is a Tertiary relict and also the oldest tree in the Czech Republic – the Vilémovice yew in Moravia is estimated to be over 2,000 years old. In the Czech Republic it grows scattered in scree and shady mixed forests, from the hills to the foothills (mainly at 345–1,045 m above sea level). As a highly endangered species, it is strictly protected by law.
The whole plant, except for the fleshy red aril around the seed, is highly poisonous. It contains the alkaloid taxine, which is absorbed very quickly through the digestive tract and paralyses the heart. The lethal dose is roughly 50 g of needles; death can occur within 24 hours. Even the sawdust produced when working yew wood is poisonous. Paradoxically, the cancer drug paclitaxel, used to treat breast and lung cancer, is derived from compounds found in yew.
Yew wood is one of the heaviest and most valuable in Europe – thanks to its strength and elasticity it has been used since the Stone Age to make bows and weapons, and later for fine furniture and marquetry. Today, yew wood can only be obtained legally from dead trees in the Czech Republic; carvers working with it should always wear a respirator. You will find products made from safe local woods, for example, in the chopping boards category at AMADEA.
Mezereon – Daphne mezereum
Mezereon is a low deciduous shrub (30–150 cm) and one of the first to flower – from February to April, before its leaves unfold. Its strongly scented pink (more rarely white) tubular flowers grow straight from the old wood in clusters of 2–5. It grows scattered throughout the Czech Republic in open broadleaved and mixed forests, beech woods and scree forests. Its Czech folk names translate as “wolf's bast”, “man-killer” and “murderer of people” – which says it all.
The whole plant, and especially its red berries, contains the highly poisonous compounds daphnetoxin, mezerein and daphnin. Just 7 berries are enough for serious poisoning, and 10–12 can kill an adult. The berries taste bitter, but their red colour can make them attractive to children. You can even be poisoned by inhaling the scent of the flowers for a long time or by absorbing the substances through the skin. Poisoning damages the kidneys; medical treatment is always necessary.
In the wild, mezereon is protected in the Czech Republic; you must not transplant it into your garden. Garden centres sell cultivars, including dwarf hybrids and the white-flowered form 'Alba'. If you have it in your garden, always wear gloves and long sleeves when working near it.
Laburnum (golden chain) – Laburnum anagyroides
Laburnum, known as golden chain or golden rain, is an ornamental shrub or small tree originally from southern Europe; in the Czech Republic it is widely grown in gardens and parks and in places has escaped into the wild. In May it is literally covered in drooping clusters of golden-yellow pea-like flowers up to 25 cm long. Its wood is very decorative, hard and strong; historically it was used to make crossbows and bows.
Toxicologists rightly call it the most poisonous shrub in the Czech garden: the whole plant contains the alkaloid cytisine, with the seeds containing 1.5–3%. Just 2 seeds or 5 flowers are enough to poison a child – poisoning sets in within 30 minutes with vomiting, convulsions, dilated pupils and heart arrhythmia; with a large dose, death can occur within an hour. Children are attracted by the green pea-like pods and the striking yellow flowers. Never plant laburnum near children's playgrounds.
Paradoxically, cytisine is used to make medicines that help people stop smoking, because it binds to the same receptors as nicotine. Laburnum wood is also used for small carvings and musical instruments – but to protect your health we recommend choosing products made from safe local woods, such as kitchen utensils from AMADEA.
European spindle – Euonymus europaeus
The European spindle is a deciduous shrub or small tree growing 2–8 m tall. In autumn it catches the eye with striking pink four-lobed capsules containing orange arils with white seeds. It grows naturally at the edges of broadleaved forests, on sunny slopes and in scrub, from the lowlands to the submontane zone. In gardens it is grown for its autumn colour.
All parts of the plant, including the fruits, bark and branches, contain toxic substances such as evonymin and evonine. Poisoning shows itself treacherously late, after 12–18 hours – with digestive cramps, vomiting, bloody diarrhoea, fever and circulatory problems; it can even lead to liver, kidney and heart failure. About 30 capsules are considered a lethal dose for an adult. Poisonings of woodworkers who worked spindle wood have also been documented.
Spindle wood is yellowish, very hard and fine – historically it was used to make spindles (hence the name), knitting needles and marquetry. Today, safe woods are rightly preferred; if you like the design of wooden decorations, take a look at the stand-alone wooden decorations from AMADEA. In autumn, be careful with spindle branches indoors – they are poisonous even as cut decorations in a vase, especially if you have children or pets at home.
The most common mix-ups and mistakes
Many poisonous woody plants resemble completely safe species. Knowing the differences can literally save a life.
Comparison table of poisonous trees and shrubs
| Species | Poisonous parts | Active substance | Lethal dose | Symptoms of poisoning | What to do |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Yew (Taxus baccata) | Everything except the red aril | Taxine (alkaloid) | ~50 g of needles | Convulsions, cardiac arrest within 24 hrs | Immediate medical help; no antidote exists |
| Mezereon (Daphne mezereum) | Whole plant (fruits most) | Mezerein, daphnetoxin | 10–12 berries | Burning mouth, vomiting, kidney damage | Doctor immediately; risk of permanent kidney damage |
| Laburnum (Laburnum anagyroides) | Whole plant (seeds most) | Cytisine (alkaloid) | 2 seeds for a child | Vomiting, convulsions, heart arrhythmia | Doctor within 30 min; risk of heart failure |
| European spindle (Euonymus europaeus) | Everything (fruits, bark, branches) | Evonymin, evonine | 30 capsules (adult) | Vomiting after 12–18 hrs, organ failure | Doctor; danger of delayed symptoms |
| Common box (Buxus sempervirens) | Whole plant | Buxine (alkaloid) | Not precisely established | Diarrhoea, convulsions, breathing problems | Doctor |
| Black honeysuckle (Lonicera nigra) | Whole plant (fruits) | Saponins, alkaloids | Not precisely established | Vomiting, diarrhoea | Doctor |
Frequently asked questions about poisonous trees and shrubs
Which woody plant is the most poisonous in the Czech Republic?
Laburnum (golden chain) is considered the most poisonous shrub grown in the Czech Republic – just 2 seeds or 5 flowers are enough to poison a child. Of the wild-growing species, the most dangerous is the yew, whose alkaloid taxine causes cardiac arrest and for which there is no antidote.
Can I plant laburnum (golden chain) in my garden if I have children?
Experts strongly advise against it. If you still decide on laburnum, regularly remove fallen pods and leaves, prune the branches up to a height of at least 150 cm and carefully teach your children never to pick or taste any part of the plant. Consider whether the beauty is worth the risk.
Is the red aril of the yew poisonous?
The fleshy red aril surrounding the yew seed is the only non-poisonous part of the whole plant. The seed inside, however, is poisonous, so we recommend spitting it out. All yew needles, bark and branches are highly poisonous all year round – even after they have fallen and dried.
Are the poisonous fruits of spindle dangerous for dogs and cats too?
Yes. The fruits of spindle, yew, laburnum and mezereon are dangerous for most domestic animals – dogs, cats, horses and cattle. If you suspect an animal has been poisoned, contact a vet just as quickly as you would a doctor for a person. The exception is birds, which tolerate spindle and yew fruits without harm.
Where can I find wooden products made from safe local woods?
AMADEA makes handmade products from Czech woods – alder, lime, beech and other safe species. Whether you are looking for chopping boards, wooden decorations or gift boxes, it is always Czech handmade work from safe material.
🌿 Nature inspires, wood creates. AMADEA offers handmade wooden gifts and decorations made from local woods – original, safe and connected to nature.
Browse AMADEA productsThis article is for general information only. If you suspect poisoning, contact a doctor or your local poison information centre immediately.
Author: Martin Portych – specialist in wooden products, gift advice and shop content
Editorial policy: Our content is based on the day-to-day practice of the AMADEA shop, the real needs of our customers and a commitment to clear, useful and trustworthy information.