RED-FACED council staff unwittingly planted one of the world’s deadliest flowers near a park where children play in Kendal.

A number of purple-flowering plants in a plot near Abbot Hall Social Centre, on Dowkers Lane, have been identified as the poisonous monkshood variety of the aconitum napellus, by Kendal botanist Thomas Gudgeon.

They can be deadly to both humans and animals - and are even used to make poison arrows.

South Lakeland District Council this week apologised and said the flowers, which contain toxic compounds, were planted ‘in error’ and have been removed.

Guy Barter, chief advisor at the Royal Horticultural Society (RHS), said: “Aconitums are known to be potentially-harmful to pets and people and should be handled with caution.”

And he stressed that the flowers should be planted away from people’s reach.

“Natives of the Amazon jungle dip their arrows in the plant to kill monkeys in the trees,” said Mr Gudgeon.

“The monkey is dead before it hits the ground – it’s one of the world’s deadliest plants.”

The consequences can be fatal if the plant is eaten.

Other signs of poisoning include heart complications, muscular weakness, nausea and vomiting.

Richard Knight, director of Westmorland Veterinary Group, said contact with the plant could be ‘very painful’.

“It is dangerous to people. I am very surprised that something so notably poisonous has been planted in a public area,” he said.

“I wouldn’t have it anywhere near where children play.”

Mr Knight said a goat died in Levens Gardens last year after eating the flower, which is also known as wolfsbane.

“Cases are uncommon because people don’t grow it” he added.

Neil Harnott, senior conservation officer at Cumbria Wildlife Trust, said monkshood was prevalent in woodland areas and roadside verges.

“Its occurrence is thought to be increasing,” he said.

“Care is needed with this plant as contact with foliage may cause skin irritation in some people.”

Dr Nigel Calvert, an associate director of public health for NHS Cumbria, said: “The best advice to protect ourselves, is to make sure that you, your children and your pets do not eat anything which you cannot identify as safe.”

In a statement, SLDC confirmed it had removed the plant from the gardens and said: “The council would like to apologise for any concern this has caused.

“We would advise the public not to consume any natural flora as there are many different species that could be harmful to one’s health if consumed.”