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.
PLANT |
TOXIC PART |
SYMPTOMS |
HOUSE PLANTS |
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| Hyacinth, Narcissus, Daffodil | Bulbs | Nausea, vomiting, diarrhea. May be fatal. |
| Oleander | Leaves, branches | Extremely poisonous. Affects the heart, produces severe digestive upset and has caused death. |
| Dieffenbachia (Dumb Cane), Elephant Ear | 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. |
| Rosary Pea, Castor Bean | Seeds | Fatal. A single Rosary Pea seed has caused death. One or two Castor Bean seeds are near the lethal dose for adults. |
FLOWER GARDEN PLANTS |
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| Larkspur | Young plant, seeds | Digestive upset, nervous excitement, depression. May be fatal. |
| Monkshood | Fleshy roots | Digestive upset and nervous excitement. |
| Autumn Crocus, Star of Bethlehem | Bulbs | Vomiting and nervous excitement. |
| Lily-of-the-Valley | Leaves, flowers | Irregular heart beat and pulse, usually accompanied by digestive upset and mental confusion. |
| Iris | Underground stems | Severe-but not usually serious-digestive upset. |
| Foxglove | Leaves | Large amounts cause dangerously irregular heartbeat and pulse, usually digestive upset and mental confusion. May be fatal. |
| Bleeding Heart | Foliage, roots | May be poisonous in large amounts. Has proved fatal to cattle. |
VEGETABLE GARDEN PLANTS |
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| Rhubarb | Leaf blade | Fatal. Large amounts of raw or cooked leaves can cause convulsions, coma, followed rapidly by death. |
ORNAMENTAL PLANTS |
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| Daphne | Berries | Fatal. A few berries can kill a child. |
| Wisteria | Seeds, pods | Mild to severe digestive upset. Many children are poisoned by this plant. |
| Golden Chain | Bean-like capsules in which the seeds are suspended | Severe poisoning. Excitement, staggering, convulsions and coma. May be fatal. |
| Laurels, Rhododendrons, Azaleas | All parts | Fatal. Produces nausea and vomiting, depression, difficult breathing, prostration and coma. |
| Jasmine | Berries | Fatal. Digestive disturbance and nervous symptoms. |
| Lantana Camara (Red Sage) | Green berries | Fatal. Affects lungs, kidneys, heart and nervous system. Grows in the southern U.S. And in moderate climates. |
| Yew | Berries, foliage | Fatal. Foliage more toxic than berries. Death is usually sudden without warning symptoms. |
TREES AND SHRUBS |
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| Wild and cultivated cherries | Twigs, foliage | Fatal. Contains a compound that releases cyanide when eaten. Gasping, excitement and prostration are common symptoms. |
| Oaks | Foliage, acorns | Affects kidneys gradually. Symptoms appear only after several days or weeks. Takes a large amount for poisoning. |
| Elderberry | All parts, especially roots | Children have been poisoned by using pieces of the pithy stems for blowguns. Nausea and digestive upset. |
| Black Locust | Bark, sprouts, foliage | Children have suffered nausea, weakness and depression after chewing the bark and seeds. |
PLANTS IN WOODED AREAS |
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| Jack-in-the-Pulpit | 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. |
| Moonseed | Berries | Blue, purple color, resembling wild grapes. May be fatal. |
| Mayapple | 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 | Berries | Fatal. Both children and adults have died from eating the berries. |
PLANTS IN SWAMP OR MOIST AREAS |
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| Water Hemlock | All parts | Fatal. Violent and painful convulsions. A number of people have died from hemlock. |
PLANTS IN FIELDS |
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| Buttercups | All parts | Irritant juices may severely injure the digestive system. |
| Nightshade | All parts, especially the unripened berry | Fatal. Intense digestive disturbance and nervous symptoms. |
| Poison Hemlock | All parts | Fatal. Resembles a large wild carrot. |
| Jimson Weed (Thorn Apple) | All parts | Abnormal thirst, distorted sight, delirium, incoherence and coma. Common cause of poisoning. Has proved fatal. |
Treat unknown plants with respect, and teach your children to do the same.
Chart reprinted from materials provided by the Texas State Department of Health and the National Safety Council