| PLANT |
TOXIC PART
|
SYMPTOMS
|
| HOUSE PLANTS |
| 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 |
| 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 |
| Rhubarb |
Leaf blade |
Fatal. Large amounts of raw or cooked leaves can cause convulsions,
coma, followed rapidly by death. |
| ORNAMENTAL PLANTS |
| 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 |
| 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 |
| 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 |
| Water Hemlock |
All parts |
Fatal. Violent and painful convulsions. A number of people have died
from hemlock. |
| PLANTS IN FIELDS |
| 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. |