Mycotoxin research has traditionally focused on cultivated crops, whereas wild plants growing in semi-natural vegetation remain largely unexplored despite their possible ecological importance. This study presents a comprehensive assessment of the occurrence, seasonal dynamics, organ-specific distribution, and growth-form differences of aflatoxin B₁ (AFB₁), deoxynivalenol (DON), and zearalenone (ZEN) in wild plant species from agricultural areas of the Hungarian Plain. A total of 134 samples collected in July, August, and October were analyzed for mycotoxin contamination. All three mycotoxins were frequently detected, and only 13% of samples were free of the investigated toxins. Mycotoxin profiles changed seasonally, with multi-toxin co-occurrence predominating in July, ZEN in August, and DON in October, whereas AFB₁ declined toward the end of the growing season. Growth form explained contamination patterns more strongly than plant organ: woody species showed higher AFB₁ and DON contamination, whereas grasses showed higher ZEN concentrations. Although most concentrations were low, occasional extreme values approached or exceeded European Union reference values for animal feed. Our findings identify semi-natural vegetation, particularly woody species, as a previously underestimated reservoir of mycotoxins and demonstrate that seasonal dynamics and plant growth form should be considered when assessing environmental mycotoxin exposure in agricultural landscapes.

Mycotoxin research has traditionally focused on cultivated crops, whereas far less attention has been paid to wild plants growing in semi-natural vegetation adjacent to agricultural fields. We investigated the occurrence, seasonal dynamics, organ-specific distribution, and growth-form differences of three major mycotoxins—aflatoxin B1 (AFB1), deoxynivalenol (DON), and zearalenone (ZEN)—in wild plant species collected in an agricultural region of the Hungarian Plain. A total of 134 samples were collected during the vegetation period (July, August, and October) and analyzed for mycotoxin contamination. All three mycotoxins were frequently detected, and only 13% of samples contained none of the investigated mycotoxins. Mycotoxin profiles changed seasonally: multi-toxin co-occurrence was most common in July, ZEN predominated in August, and DON became most frequent in October, while AFB1 declined toward the end of the season. Growth form was a major determinant of contamination patterns, with AFB1 and DON occurring predominantly in woody species and ZEN in grasses. Plant organs had a weaker effect, although leaves were the most frequently contaminated tissues. Most concentrations were low, but occasional extreme values exceeded European Union guidance values, particularly for AFB1 and, in one case, DON. These findings show that semi-natural vegetation can act as a reservoir of multiple mycotoxins and highlight the importance of seasonal dynamics together with plant growth forms when assessing environmental mycotoxin exposure in agricultural landscapes.