A dumb cane or Dieffenbachia plant with large dark and light green leaves
Dieffenbachia are pretty, popular houseplants that are also poisonous.
  • Evolution has led to a variety of defense mechanisms for plants.
  • This means that every plant, from hemlock to houseplants, is probably toxic to some form of life.
  • Noah Whiteman explores everyday toxins in his book "Most Delicious Poison."

Evolutionary biologist Noah Whiteman has a poison garden outside of his home.