The Qingming Festival, or Tomb-Sweeping Day, is approaching, which is not only a time for the Chinese nation to mourn their ancestors and express their sorrow, but also an excellent opportunity for people to get close to nature and enjoy the beauty of spring. The fiery red kapok flowers, the bougainvilleas cascading like waterfalls, and the golden yellow windmill palms shining like sunshine have painted the streets and alleys with a splendid array of colors.

But be warned, some of these beautiful blooms may harbor hidden dangers! Certain plants contain toxins, and casual contact or ingestion can lead to skin allergies, vomiting, dizziness, and other discomforts, potentially jeopardizing your health.

For instance, commonly seen flowers like tulips, daffodils, oleanders, mandragoras, and Gelsemium elegans (also known as Poisonous Herb, or "intestine-severing herb") are all toxic despite their exquisite appearance.

Additionally, spring is also the peak season for pollen allergies, with pollen from trees like cypress, pine, poplar, and elm easily triggering allergic reactions. Therefore, please refrain from biting or picking them!

Author | Jiang Chang

Poster | Jiang Chang

Editor | Liu Lingzhi, Huang Qini, James, Shen He