{"id":11422,"date":"2011-10-28T09:40:18","date_gmt":"2011-10-28T13:40:18","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.earthrangers.com\/wildwire\/?p=11422"},"modified":"2022-02-14T11:21:56","modified_gmt":"2022-02-14T16:21:56","slug":"top-ten-spooky-plants","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.earthrangers.com\/EN\/CA\/top-10\/top-ten-spooky-plants\/","title":{"rendered":"Top Ten Spooky Plants"},"content":{"rendered":"

Put away the jack-o-lantern carving and the spooktacular costume planning for a second because it is time for a very special Top Ten. This countdown is filled with plants that put the orange<\/span><\/strong>, black<\/strong>, freaky<\/span><\/em><\/strong> and frightening<\/span><\/strong> back into Halloween.
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Deadly Nightshade (Atropa belladonna<\/em>)<\/span><\/strong><\/h2>\n

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\"Deadly
Deadly Nightshade. Photo Credit: wildlifegardena<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Fact: <\/strong>This plant is a member of the same family as tomatoes, potatoes, eggplants and peppers. This may not seem like a scary family of plants but the Deadly Nightshade also has some very poisonous relatives like Herbane, Jimsonweed and European Mandrake.<\/p>\n

How it reminds us of Halloween:<\/strong> In the Middle Ages, Deadly Nightshade was believed to be the devil\u2019s favourite plant. Witches and Sorcerers would use the plant\u2019s juices in many of their ointments and brews. Even though this plant has been used in medicine be sure to stay away, it is so toxic that even touching it can poison you!<\/p>\n

Claire Kowalchik, William H. Hylton and Anna Carr Rodale’s Illustrated Encyclopedia of Herbs. <\/em>Emmaus, PA: Rodale Press, Inc., 1987: 158-159<\/a><\/p>\n


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Devil\u2019s Claw (Proboscidea louisianica<\/em>)<\/span><\/strong><\/h2>\n

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\"Devil's
Devil's Claws Seed Pods. Photo Credit: Susan E Adams<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"Devil's
Devil's Claws. Photo Credit: Kibuyu<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Fact: <\/strong>This plant shares its scientific name with an unlikely species\u2013 proboscidea is also an order of elephants<\/a>! Proboscidea comes from the word proboscis, which means trunk or horn.<\/p>\n

How it reminds us of Halloween: <\/strong>As this plant matures, its seed pods dry out and turn grey or brown. Eventually the pods split down the middle and begin to look like sharp hooks (or horns). Imagine having one of those stuck to you. Scary! Plus, it probably doesn\u2019t help that it\u2019s named after the devil\u2026<\/p>\n

Larry Mellichamp and Paula Gross, Bizarre Botanicals. <\/em>Portland, OR: Timber Press, Inc., 2010: 184-185<\/a> <\/em><\/p>\n

Wolfsbane (Aconitum<\/em>)<\/strong><\/h2>\n

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\"Wolfsbane,
Wolfsbane. Photo Credit: Randi Hausken<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Fact: <\/strong>Some wolfsbane species are used in traditional medicines<\/a>, while others are extremely toxic and can be deadly.<\/p>\n

How it reminds us of Halloween: <\/strong>Wolfsbane has long been associated with werewolves. In most stories, wolfsbane has been known to keep werewolves away. However, if you ask the writer of Harry Potter, it also prevents a person from turning into a werewolf during a full moon.
\n http:\/\/www.efloras.org\/florataxon.aspx?flora_id=1&taxon_id=100300<\/a>
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Purple Devil (Solanum atropurpureum<\/em>)<\/span><\/strong><\/h2>\n

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\"purple
Purple Devil. Photo Credit: Carstor<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Fact: <\/strong>This relative of the Deadly Nightshade makes a very good barrier hedge. It\u2019s not a big surprise that if you plant a few purple devils around your yard, unwanted visitors will stay away!<\/p>\n

How it reminds us of Halloween: <\/strong>What\u2019s Halloween without a few spikes? The sight of the Purple Devil\u2019s deadly spikes would certainly make us jump in the night.<\/p>\n

Scott D. Appell Brooklyn Botanic Garden All-Region Guides: Annuals for Every Garden. <\/em>Brooklyn, NY:\u00a0Brooklyn Botanic Garden, Inc., 2003: Page 35<\/a> <\/em><\/p>\n

Chinese Lanterns (Physalis alkekengi<\/em>)<\/strong><\/h2>\n

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\"Chinese
Young Chinese Lantern. Photo Credit: H Zell<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"Chinese
Mature Chinese Lantern. Photo Credit: Rasbak<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Fact: <\/strong>Chinese Lanterns produce edible berries, which have been used in medicine to reduce fevers.<\/p>\n

How it reminds us of Halloween: <\/strong>The bright orange berries of the Chinese Lanterns are protected by an orange covering that looks a little like a pumpkin. Once this cover begins to waste away it leaves behind a skeleton<\/a> that looks like a spooky cage trapping the berry.
\n http:\/\/eol.org\/pages\/581063\/details<\/a>
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Cockscomb (Celosia cristata<\/em>)<\/span><\/strong><\/h2>\n

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\"celosia
Cockscomb. Photo Credit: Liz West<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Fact: <\/strong>Although all members of the Celosia genus have fuzzy flowers, the waviness of the cockscomb\u2019s flowers is pretty unique. It is caused by fasciation, which develops due to infections, certain insects or growing mutations. This isn\u2019t just a cockscomb\u2019s problem – any other plant can develop this way.<\/p>\n

How it reminds us of Halloween: <\/strong>It may be just us, but this flowering plant looks a lot like a fuzzy brain, especially when the flower is yellow. This plant would make a perfect treat for Zombies. Yum! Brains!<\/p>\n

Larry Mellichamp and Paula Gross, Bizarre Botanicals<\/em>. Portland, OR: Timber Press, Inc., 2010: 172-173<\/a><\/p>\n

H. Peter Loewer, Jefferson’s Garden.<\/em> Mechanicburg, PA: Stackpole Books, 2004: Page 63<\/a><\/p>\n

Witch Hazel (Hamamelis<\/em>)<\/span><\/strong><\/h2>\n
\"Witch
Silhouette of Witch Hazel. Photo Credit: Belgianchocolate<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"Witch
Witch Hazel. Photo Credit: London Looks<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Fact:<\/strong> Not only is this plant interesting because it blooms in the fall, it also has some pretty cool seed pods. When the seeds are ready, the pods pop and the seeds shoot outwards. In fact, this pop is so powerful that you can actually hear it!<\/p>\n

How it reminds us of Halloween:<\/strong> Witch Hazel plants produce thin yellow petals that look wild and stringy. Take a look at its silhouette and you\u2019ll know what we mean. Very creepy!
\n http:\/\/eol.org\/pages\/589817\/details<\/a><\/p>\n

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Doll\u2019s eyes (Actaea pachypoda<\/em>)<\/span><\/strong><\/h2>\n

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\"doll's
Doll's Eyes. Photo Credit: beautifulcataya<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"doll's
Close up of Doll's Eyes. Photo Credit: Diane Cordell<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Fact: <\/strong>This plant is pretty toxic so most herbivores avoid them. However, birds appear to be immune. By carrying the berries, birds help spread the Doll\u2019s eyes\u2019 seeds to new places.<\/p>\n

How it reminds us of Halloween:<\/strong> This plant is named after its white berries, which look like old-fashioned china doll eyes. Sure, they are berries, but we wouldn\u2019t want to be walking alone in a forest filled with doll\u2019s eyes on a scary night. Hundreds of little eyes watching you? Ah\u2026no thank you!
\n http:\/\/eol.org\/pages\/595010\/details<\/a><\/p>\n

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Dracula Orchids<\/a><\/span><\/strong><\/h2>\n
\"Dracula
Dracula sergioi. Photo Credit: Orchi<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Fact: <\/strong>Dracula orchids smell like mushrooms and look a little like them too (the \u201ctongue\u201d). This is done on purpose to trick fruit flies that pollinate mushrooms into pollinating them as well.<\/p>\n

How it reminds us of Halloween: <\/strong>This flower looks like a vampire! When Spanish scientists first came across these orchids, they were reminded of dragons and bats<\/a>. If you find yourself surrounded by Dracula Orchids, you better watch your step \u2013 you might get bitten!
\n http:\/\/www.amnh.org\/news\/2010\/10\/dracula-orchids-celebrating-hauntingly-photogenic-natural-history\/<\/a>
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Ghost Plant (Monotropa uniflora<\/em>)<\/span><\/strong><\/h2>\n

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\"ghost
Ghost Plant. Photo Credit: Jason Sturner<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Fact: <\/strong>This plant has a symbiotic<\/a> (both benefit) or parasitic (Ghost plant benefits at the other\u2019s expense) relationship with mycorrhizal fungi. It can only exist where this fungi is present, which makes it very difficult to grow in gardens.<\/p>\n

How it reminds us of Halloween:<\/strong> This plant\u2019s name is very fitting. Not only are Ghost plants white but they also live in the dark. Unlike most plants, they don\u2019t rely on light (photosynthesis) to grow. All that time in the dark is awfully ghostly.
\n http:\/\/eol.org\/pages\/583541\/details<\/a>
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EXTRA Octopus Stinkhorn (Clathrus archeri<\/em>)<\/span><\/strong><\/h2>\n

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\"Octopus
Octopus Stinkhorn. Photo Credit: Francois Van der Biest<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Yes, yes, yes, we know – this is a fungus and doesn\u2019t belong on a plant list<\/a>. But that\u2019s why it\u2019s a bonus.<\/em>
\n Fact: <\/strong>According to some brave souls, the Octopus Stinkhorn is edible in its egg stage. However, it is not something we would recommend. Apparently, the taste and texture isn\u2019t really appealing.<\/p>\n

How it reminds us of Halloween: <\/strong>The octopus stinkhorn looks like something out of a horror tale. It \u201chatches\u201d from eggs and grows four to eight tentacles. On top of that, it has a stinky gleba (flesh) that smells like decaying flesh\u2026gross.
\n http:\/\/www.kew.org\/plants-fungi\/Clathrus-archeri.htm<\/a><\/p>\n

Have you stumbled across other spooky plants? Tell us about it in the comments section and let us know why this plant reminds you of Halloween.<\/p>\n

Earth Rangers<\/a> is a non-profit organization that works to inspire and educate<\/a> children about the environment. At EarthRangers.com kids can play games<\/a>, discover amazing facts<\/a>, meet animal ambassadors<\/a> and fundraise<\/a> to protect biodiversity<\/a>.<\/em><\/h5>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Dive into Halloween with a list of scary plants, from the Devil’s Claw and Ghost Plant to Witch-Hazel and Dracula Orchids this top ten is sure to leave you spooked!<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":11429,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[719,453,1353,411,931],"tags":[286,256,128,335],"class_list":{"0":"post-11422","1":"post","2":"type-post","3":"status-publish","4":"format-standard","5":"has-post-thumbnail","7":"category-halloween","8":"category-plants-2","9":"category-to-edit","10":"category-top-10","11":"category-all","12":"tag-fungi","13":"tag-halloween","14":"tag-plants","15":"tag-top-ten"},"pp_force_visibility":null,"pp_subpost_visibility":null,"pp_inherited_force_visibility":null,"pp_inherited_subpost_visibility":null,"acf":[],"aioseo_notices":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.earthrangers.com\/EN\/CA\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/11422","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.earthrangers.com\/EN\/CA\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.earthrangers.com\/EN\/CA\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.earthrangers.com\/EN\/CA\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.earthrangers.com\/EN\/CA\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=11422"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.earthrangers.com\/EN\/CA\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/11422\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.earthrangers.com\/EN\/CA\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/11429"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.earthrangers.com\/EN\/CA\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=11422"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.earthrangers.com\/EN\/CA\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=11422"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.earthrangers.com\/EN\/CA\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=11422"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}