Oh what a pretty purple flower. "British gardener dies after contact with poisonous flower"

[still_one]

The family of a British gardener who mysteriously died from multiple organ failure claims his death may have been the result of contact with a deadly flower growing on the estate of a wealthy businessman where he worked.

Nathan Greenaway, 33, was rushed to the hospital in early September after collapsing, but doctors were unable to pinpoint the cause of illness. Greenaway died five days later from multiple organ failure, according to The Independent.

Unable to get answers into the cause his son’s death, Greenaway’s father conducted his own investigation and determined that his son may have died after brushing up against the highly poisonous wolfsbane plant — also known as devil’s helmet and monkshood — found proliferating on the estate owned by retired venture capitalist Christopher Ogilvie Thompson.

http://www.rawstory.com/rs/2014/11/british-gardener-dies-after-contact-with-poisonous-flower-of-rich-mans-estate-family-claims/

[dembotoz]

1. sounds like an episode on "bones" or ncis

[Hekate]

3. More like "Rosemary and Thyme," the two landscaping detectives.

I had no idea wolfsbane was that poisonous.

[still_one]

5. Neither did I

[still_one]

4. It is definitely not typical. I didn't realize that there were extremely lethal plants to the touch

Poison ivy or poison oak cause issues, but not like this

[HereSince1628]

2. No Joke: Mrs Ogilvie Thompson stated that she and her husband did not wish to comment

Of COURSE NOT!

My God!!! A comment might make your elitist asses CULPABLE!!!!!!!!!!

[cali]

6. culpable for what? I've grown it for years. Yes, it's very toxic- if ingested

I've never heard of anyone dying from touching it or even becoming ill.

[HereSince1628]

7. Culpable of doing a typical CYA.

If I were a labor oriented attorney I'd want to know a LOT about whether her employee was properly and adequately made aware of the risks.

[Chellee]

8. For what its worth,

I would wear gardening gloves if I were you. It is a beautiful flower, but...wow, who knew?

Per Wikipedia:

Poisoning may also occur following picking the leaves without wearing gloves; the aconitine toxin is absorbed easily through the skin. In this event, there will be no gastrointestinal effects. Tingling will start at the point of absorption and extend up the arm to the shoulder, after which the heart will start to be affected. The tingling will be followed by unpleasant numbness. Treatment is similar to poisoning caused by oral ingestion.

[TheCowsCameHome]

9. Use it as a garnish at salad bars frequented by conservatives.

No sense having it go to waste.