Are These 10 Plants as Scary as Their Names?
Updated: Jul. 21, 2023Nature can be creepy. More specifically, the names of plants can be creepy. But do scary plant names mean the plant itself is scary? Sometimes. Here are 10 plants with ghastly names.
Dracula Orchids
Some people believe Dracula Orchids look a bit like vampires, however, they’re anything but scary. The American Orchid Society notes that this small- to medium-sized flower is found in moist forests, mostly in Colombia and Ecuador and is a popular choice for orchid hobbyists.
Deadly Nightshade
Deadly Nightshade (aka Belladonna, which doesn’t sound creepy at all) is a relative of potatoes, peppers and tomatoes. However, this plant is toxic. In fact, Deadly Nightshade has a history of use as a poison. The plant’s foliage and berries are extremely toxic when ingested, according to the National Institutes of Health.
Purple Devil
Purple Devil is a perennial herb that flowers in late spring or early summer. It looks pretty devilish with its thorns and prickles, and the plant’s leaves and fruit are both poisonous, according to the National Gardening Association. Some gardeners use it as a barrier hedge as it is good for keeping unwanted visitors away.
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Witch Hazel
Witch Hazel is common in many parts of the United States, according to the U.S. Forest Service, and blooms with bold yellow flowers in fall. The plant’s seed pods actually pop loudly enough that you can hear them! Witch Hazel is used an ingredient for topical applications such as skin toner and cleanser. However, the FDA says there is no scientific-based proof that substantiates the benefits of this use of Witch Hazel.
Ghost Plant
The Ghost Plant is a hardy succulent with pale gray or whitish leaves which are not spooky. Native to Mexico, this scary-sounding plant can grow between 6 inches and a foot tall and is often used as a ground cover, according to the University of Florida.
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Brain Cactus
A succulent, the Brain Cactus is a drought-tolerant cactus that is native to Mexico. The National Gardening Association says while it can grow in many shapes, it often resembles a brain with thorns and spines.
Devil’s Claw
Found in dry places such as southwestern California, Arizona and Nevada, Devil’s Claw is also known as unicorn plant, according to the USDA. The plant’s flowers can be white to pink and the seed pods (shown here) have “claws” which were often collected by native tribes in the Southwest and used to create basketry designs.
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Doll’s Eyes
This plant has eyes for you! Doll’s Eyes are named for a distinctive, dark, pupil-looking mark on the ends of their white berries, according to Prairie Moon Nursery. The plant blooms in late summer to early fall and it is poisonous if eaten.
Death Camas
Death Camas is a flower stalk with an appropriate name, as all parts of the plant—the stem, flowers, leaves and bulbs—contain alkaloids, which are toxic, according to Minnesota Wildflowers. This perennial blooms June through August and can grow as high as 36 inches, with white, star-like stalked flowers.
Corpse Flower
Appropriately named, the rare Corpse Flower is large and known for its extremely foul odor, according to the Missouri Botanical Garden. The plant rarely blooms and when it does, it unleashes its foul odor for up to 12 hours.
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