Poisonous Plants
Vegetation helps sustain life. We eat many plants, herbs and so forth in our daily diet. But, we must remember to be choosy. Some plants, trees or shrubs are potential killers of man. Some part of the ornamental plants or flowers in your yard may contain deadly poison. Many poisonous plants are so common and seemingly innocuous you do not suspect their toxic qualities. For example, who would expect that the beautiful oleander bush-grown indoors and outdoors all over the country-contains a deadly heart stimulant, similar to the drug digitalis? It is easy to be deceived by plants...one part may be edible while another is poisonous. The following chart lists some of the more common poisonous plants. Treat unknown plants with respect, and teach your children to do the same.
| PLANT | GENUS | TOXIC PART | SYMPTOMS |
|---|---|---|---|
| HOUSE PLANTS | |||
| Castor Bean | Ricinus communis | Seeds | Fatal. One or two Castor Bean seeds are near the lethal dose for adults. |
| Daffodil | Narcissus | Bulbs | Nausea, vomiting, diarrhea. May be fatal. |
| Dieffenbachia | Dieffenbachia | All parts | Intense burning and irritation of the mouth and tongue. Death can occur if base of the tongue swells enough to block the air passage of the throat. |
| Dumb Cane) | Dieffenbachia | All parts | Intense burning and irritation of the mouth and tongue. Death can occur if base of the tongue swells enough to block the air passage of the throat. |
| Elephant Ear | Colocasia or Alocasia | All parts | Intense burning and irritation of the mouth and tongue. Death can occur if base of the tongue swells enough to block the air passage of the throat. |
| Hyacinth | Hyacinth | Bulbs | Nausea, vomiting, diarrhea. May be fatal. |
| Narcissus | Narcissus | Bulbs | Nausea, vomiting, diarrhea. May be fatal. |
| Oleander | Nerium | Leaves, branches | Extremely poisonous. Affects the heart, produces severe digestive upset and has caused death. |
| Rosary Pea, Castor Bean | Arbrus precatorius | Seeds | Fatal. A single Rosary Pea seed has caused death. One or two Castor Bean seeds are near the lethal dose for adults. |
| Spurge | Euphorbia | Sap | Skin & eye irritation. |
| FLOWER GARDEN PLANTS | |||
| Autumn Crocus | Colchicum autumnale | Bulbs | Vomiting and nervous excitement. |
| Bleeding Heart | Dicentra | Foliage, roots | May be poisonous in large amounts. Has proved fatal to cattle. |
| Foxglove | Digitalis | Leaves | Large amounts cause dangerously irregular heartbeat and pulse, usually digestive upset and mental confusion. May be fatal. |
| Iris | Iris | Underground stems | Severe-but not usually serious-digestive upset. |
| Larkspur | Delphinium | Young plant, seeds | Digestive upset, nervous excitement, depression. May be fatal. |
| Lily-of-the-Valley | Convallaria majalis | Leaves, flowers | Irregular heart beat and pulse, usually accompanied by digestive upset and mental confusion. |
| Monkshood | Aconitum | Fleshy roots | Digestive upset and nervous excitement. |
| Star of Bethlehem | Ornithogalum | Bulbs | Vomiting and nervous excitement. |
| VEGETABLE GARDEN PLANTS | |||
| Rhubarb | Rheum | Leaf blade | Fatal. Large amounts of raw or cooked leaves can cause convulsions, coma, followed rapidly by death. |
| ORNAMENTAL PLANTS | |||
| Azaleas | Rhododendron | All parts | Fatal. Produces nausea and vomiting, depression, difficult breathing, prostration and coma. |
| Daphne | Daphne mezereum | Berries | Fatal. A few berries can kill a child. |
| Golden Chain | Laburnum | Bean-like capsules in which the seeds are suspended | Severe poisoning. Excitement, staggering, convulsions and coma. May be fatal. |
| Jasmine | Jasminum | Berries | Fatal. Digestive disturbance and nervous symptoms. |
| Lantana Camara (Red Sage) | Lantana | Green berries | Fatal. Affects lungs, kidneys, heart and nervous system. Grows in the southern U.S. And in moderate climates. |
| Laurels | Laurus | All parts | Fatal. Produces nausea and vomiting, depression, difficult breathing, prostration and coma. |
| Rhododendrons | Rhododendron | All parts | Fatal. Produces nausea and vomiting, depression, difficult breathing, prostration and coma. |
| Wisteria | Wisteria | Seeds, pods | Mild to severe digestive upset. Many children are poisoned by this plant. |
| Yew | Taxus | Berries, foliage | Fatal. Foliage more toxic than berries. Death is usually sudden without warning symptoms. |
| TREES AND SHRUBS | |||
| Black Locust | Robinia | Bark, sprouts, foliage | Children have suffered nausea, weakness and depression after chewing the bark and seeds. |
| Elderberry | Sambucus | All parts, especially roots | Children have been poisoned by using pieces of the pithy stems for blowguns. Nausea and digestive upset. |
| Oaks | Quereus | Foliage, acorns | Affects kidneys gradually. Symptoms appear only after several days or weeks. Takes a large amount for poisoning. |
| Wild and cultivated cherries | Prunus | Twigs, foliage | Fatal. Contains a compound that releases cyanide when eaten. Gasping, excitement and prostration are common symptoms. |
| PLANTS IN WOODED AREAS | |||
| Jack-in-the-Pulpit | Arisaema | All parts, especially roots | Like Dumb Cane, contains small needle-like crystals of calcium oxalate that cause intense irritation and burning of the mouth and tongue. |
| Mayapple | Podophyllum peltatum | Apple, foliage, roots | Contains at least 16 active toxic principles, primarily in the roots. Children often eat the apple with no ill effects, but several apples may cause diarrhea. |
| Mistletoe | Phoradendron or Viscum album | Berries | Fatal. Both children and adults have died from eating the berries. |
| Moonseed | Menispermum | Berries | Blue, purple color, resembling wild grapes. May be fatal. |
| PLANTS IN SWAMP OR MOIST AREAS | |||
| Water Hemlock | Cicuta | All parts | Fatal. Violent and painful convulsions. A number of people have died from hemlock. |
| PLANTS IN FIELDS | |||
| Buttercups | Ranunculus | All parts | Irritant juices may severely injure the digestive system. |
| Jimson Weed (Thorn Apple) | Datura | All parts | Abnormal thirst, distorted sight, delirium, incoherence and coma. Common cause of poisoning. Has proved fatal. |
| Nightshade | Atropa belladonna or Solanum | All parts, especially the unripened berry | Fatal. Intense digestive disturbance and nervous symptoms. |
| Poison Hemlock | Conium | All parts | Fatal. Resembles a large wild carrot. |
| Thorn Apple | Datura | All parts | Abnormal thirst, distorted sight, delirium, incoherence and coma. Common cause of poisoning. Has proved fatal. |
Chart reprinted from materials provided by the Texas State Department of Health and the National Safety Council.
