Plants That Hurt: Look, Don’t Touch
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What you will learn
- 1Describe the ways some plants can hurt you
- 2Never eat any wild plant, berry, or mushroom
- 3Protect yourself with long pants, closed shoes, and staying on the trail
- 4Tell your grown-up at once if your skin stings or itches or someone ate a plant
Mini Lesson
Most plants are friendly. But some plants can hurt you, and they are different in every part of the world. So you do not need to know every plant. You need a few simple rules that keep you safe anywhere: look, don’t touch, and never eat anything wild.
🌿 The Wild Way (look, don’t touch)
- STINGS: some plants have tiny hairs that sting your skin.
- THORNS AND PRICKLES: some stems and leaves have sharp points that scratch.
- ITCHY SAP: some plants have sap or leaves that give you an itchy rash.
- POISON: some berries and mushrooms are poisonous. NEVER eat any wild plant, berry, or mushroom.
- DON’T TOUCH: do not touch plants you do not know. Wear long pants and closed shoes, and stay on the trail.
- WASH UP: wash your hands after every nature walk.
If your skin stings or itches, or someone ate a plant, tell your grown-up at once. Keep calm. Your grown-up is in charge and calls your local emergency number if it is serious. A photo of the plant helps. Ask your grown-up or a local guide which harmful plants grow where you live.
Words to know
sting
A sharp, burning feeling on your skin.
e.g. Tiny hairs on some plants can sting your skin.
thorn
A sharp point on a stem or branch.
e.g. I stayed on the trail away from the thorns.
sap
The juice inside a plant’s stem or leaves.
e.g. The sap of some plants can make skin itchy.
rash
Red, itchy, or bumpy skin.
e.g. When I got a rash, I told my grown-up right away.
poisonous
Able to make you very sick if you eat it.
e.g. Some wild berries are poisonous, so I never eat them.
trail
The path made for people to walk on in nature.
e.g. Staying on the trail keeps us away from plants that hurt.
🧠 Survivor’s Trick: if you do not know it, do not touch it - and never put it in your mouth. You do not have to name a plant to stay safe from it.
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