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.