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July
4, 2001
Poisonous
plants can be found every where, in the home as potted plants, in
landscaping around the home including shrubs, flowers, and vegetables
as well as in fields, forests, and along roadsides. Trying to eradicate
them sometimes can be difficult and impractical. Instead, one should
learn to recognize poisonous plants and why they may cause trouble.
For instance, if pets such as cats and dogs run through poison ivy,
the toxic oil will rub off on their fur later transferring to what
ever they come in contact with including our skin.
Poisonous plants are toxic in different ways. Most commonly, they
may make us ill internally after swallowing them or externally by
skin contact dermatitis (inflammation) causing skin irritations such
as a rash or blisters. Some can cause deep burns when the sap fluid
on the skin is exposed to sunlight resulting from phytophotosynthesis,
a reaction between the chemicals in the sap and sunlight.
Some of parts of these plants are very attractive to children such
as berries. Children should be taught never to eat any part of any
plant without adult supervision. In fact, we all should be careful
selecting wild greens or herb-like plants that may be used as food.
There are few true antidotes for plant poisoning. With dermal contact,
the skin may be washed with soap and cold water as soon as possible
after contact. Cold water tends to keep the skin pores closed lessening
the absorption through the skin. Severe burns and blisters should
be treated by a physician.
Internal poisoning, from eating or swallowing the plant material,
must be treated promptly. Poisoning from plants sometimes is difficult
to separate from poisoning due to contaminated well water, agricultural
chemicals (pesticides and fungicides), or household cleaning materials.
Rapidly collect as much information as possible about the source of
the poisoning so the treating physician will know what kind of poisoning
to treat. Obtain as much information as possible, writing it down
so as not to forget any details. In the case of small children eating
plants, remove as much of the plant from the mouth as soon as possible.
Knowing where the person has been, what they were doing may help identify
the cause of the poisoning. Plant identification of suspected ingested
plant material sometimes is difficult. A knowledgeable gardening neighbor
may be able to help with the plant identification. Or, in severe cases,
call the Finger Lakes Regional Poison Control Center (800-333-0542).
In the case of plant poisoning collect a sample of the plant, wearing
gloves, and insert it into a plastic bag. Use care when handling the
plant material. Have this plant material handy when calling the Poison
Control Center or when taking the patient to a physician or hospital
emergency room. If possible and time permits, try to secure the scientific
plant name along with the plant's common name. The cooperative extension
office may be able to help identify the plant material as well.
Some Poisonous House Plants: Some members of the lily family and lily
like amaryllis groups are poisonous. The bulbs of Hyacinths, Narcissus,
and Daffodil cause intensive digestive upset. Some Amaryllis, Crinum,
and Oleander are particularly dangerous. A single bite can be a lethal
dose. Oleander is common down south and is grown as a potted plant
in the north. The flowers are showy and very fragrant. Its poisonous
principle is similar to digitalis in its effect on the heart.
Poinsettia contains an acrid burning juice that can cause severe injury
to the digestive system. Dumbcane (Dieffenbachia seguine and D. Picta)
and other members of the arum family such as Caladium and Philodendron
contain needle like crystals of calcium oxalate. Biting these plants
embeds the crystals in the tongue and mouth resulting in intense burning.
Impatiens, Calla Lily, Carnations, Coffee Bean plant. Crotons, Crown
of Thorns, Cyclamen, Dracaena, Easter Lily, Baby's Breath (Gypsophila)
and related house plants are also poisonous.
Flower Garden Plants: Larkspur, Monkshood, and Delphinium contain
alkaloids which can upset the nervous system. Lily of the Valley contain
principles similar to those in digitalis that affect the heart. They
have berries or buds that might be attractive to children. Foxglove
(digitalis), Poppy seeds, and Bleeding Heart contain alkaloids. Some
other well known poisonous garden flowers are Bachelor Buttons, Lupines,
Century Plant, Columbine, Crown Vetch, Daisy, Datura, Dianthus, Gladiolus,
Lobelia, Nicotina, Orchid, Petunias, Primrose, Salvia, and Verbana.
Landscape Ornamental Plants: Daphne berries produce severe burns to
the mouth and could kill. Wisteria seeds produce digestive upset.
Rhododendron, Azaleas, Mountain Laurel (Delaware Indians used Mountain
Laurel as a suicide potion) and most other broadleaved evergreens
produce nausea and vomiting, depression and breathing difficulties.
Yews' (Tazus spp.) bright red berries attract children although they
are less toxic than other parts of the shrub. Other poisonous ornamentals
are Bitter Sweet, Boxwood, Buck Thorn (Tallhedge), Burning Bush, Golden
Chain tree, English Ivy, Lilacs, seeds and berries of Privet hedge,
and twigs, sap and bark of Willow.
Vegetable Plants: Potatoes and Tomatoes are members of the deadly
Night Shade family. The vines and green tissue are the poisonous parts.
Obviously the fruit and tubers are safe to eat except for potato tubers
that have grown close to the surface, received sunlight, and turned
green. These green tubers should not be eaten. Rhubarb may be the
most dangerous. Both the leaves and stems contain different substances
that are toxic unless well cooked. Cooking cancels out the toxicity
in the stems. Elderberry leaves and fruit are toxic too. However ripe
berries, or cooked berries, are safe to eat.
Plants in the Wild: Foliage and twigs of Cherry trees contain toxic
Cyanide. Cyanide is also found in the seeds and pits of tree fruits
such as Peach, Plum and Cherry. Poison Ivy, Poison Oak and Poison
Sumac can cause an itching rash and blisters in severe cases. The
sap of Cow Parsnip and Giant Hog Weed cause dermatitis (severe burns
and blisters) when exposed to the sun resulting in Phytophotosynthesis.
Other wild toxic plants are Dutchman's Breeches, Jack in the Pulpit,
Bloodroot, and Stinging Nettle. Bane Berries are related to Buttercups
and contain an irritant sap which can cause digestive upset when eaten.
Moonseed is rare and dangerous because it closely resembles Wild Grape
in all major ways. Many varieties of mushrooms are deadly as are Water
Hemlock and Poison Hemlock. All parts of wild Bittersweet are toxic.
Buck Wheat could cause dermatitis through Phytophotosynthesis.
The list of poisonous plants could go on and on. The best thing to
avoid plant poisoning is to have respect for all plants and especially
those we are unsure. Keep in mind that occasionally even the "experts"
sometimes make mistakes and buy the three by six foot "farm"
in the marble orchard. For assistance in plant identification or for
any other gardening questions, call the Master Gardeners at the Cooperative
Extension Office (315) 536-5123. Please leave a message with you question,
your name, phone number, and a time we can call you back.
Bibliography: Common Poisonous Plants by John M. Kingsbury, Plants
Poisonous to Children and Other People by Marion F. Schneider, and
Poisonous Plants of the United States by Walter C. Muenscher.
Cornell
Cooperative Extension Yates Association
Last updated: 7/11/01
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