WikiWorks: New page: This is an incomplete list of plants containing poisonous parts that pose a serious risk of illness, injury, or death to humans or animals. == Poisonous fo...

2009-06-06T21:07:40Z

New page: This is an incomplete list of plants containing poisonous parts that pose a serious risk of illness, injury, or death to humans or animals. == Poisonous fo...

New page

This is an incomplete list of [[plant]]s containing [[poison]]ous parts that pose a serious risk of [[disease|illness]], injury, or [[death]] to [[human]]s or [[animal]]s.

== Poisonous food plants ==
Many food plants possess toxic parts, are toxic unless processed, or are toxic at certain stages of their life. Notable examples include:
* '''[[Apple]]''' (''Malus domestica''). Seeds contain [[glycoside|cyanogenic glycoside]]s; in most species, the amount found in a single fruit won't kill a person; but it is possible to ingest enough seeds to provide a fatal dose.
* '''[[Cassava]]''' (''Manihot esculenta'') Toxic in the unprocessed form.
* '''[[Cherry]]''' (''Prunus cerasus''), as well as other species (''Prunus'' spp) such as [[peach]] (''Prunus persica''), [[plum]] (''Prunus domestica''), [[almond]] (''Prunus dulcis''), and [[apricot]] (''Prunus armeniaca''). Leaves and seeds contain [[cyanogenic glycoside]]s.
* '''[[Chocolate]]'''. Contains [[theobromine]] at levels toxic to dogs and cats.
* '''Indian pea''' (''[[Lathyrus sativus]]''). A legume grown in Asia and East Africa as an insurance crop for use during famines. Contains [[Oxalyldiaminopropionic acid|Oxalyl-L-α,β-diaminopropionic acid]] (ODAP), a neurotoxin causing wasting and paralysis if eaten over a long period.
* '''Kidney bean''' or '''[[common bean]]''' (''Phasiolus vugaris''). Contains the lectin [[phytohaemagglutinin]], which causes gastric upset. Toxicity removed by thorough cooking.
* '''[[Mango]]'''. While the fruit of a mango tree is obviously edible, the skin of the fruit, leaves, root and bark of the tree can cause rash-like skin irritation because this plant is a distant relative of poison sumac.
* '''[[Phaseolus lunatus|Lima Bean]]''' or '''Butter Bean''' (''Phaseolus lunatus''). Raw beans contain dangerous amounts of [[linamarin]], a [[cyanide|cyanogenic]] [[glucoside]].
* '''[[Allium|Onions and garlic]]'''. Onions and garlic (genus ''Allium'') contain [[thiosulphate]], which is toxic to dogs, cats and some other livestock.
* '''[[Potato]]''' (''Solanum tuberosum''). Foliage and green-tinged tubers are toxic, containing the glycoalkaloid [[solanine]], which develops as a result of exposure to light. Causes intense digestive disturbances, nervous symptoms.
* '''[[Rhubarb]]''' (''Rheum rhaponticum''). Leaf blades, but not [[petiole (botany)|petiole]]s, contain [[oxalic acid]] [[salt]]s, causing kidney disorders, convulsions, coma. Rarely fatal.
* '''[[Tomato]]''' (''Solanum lycopersicum''). Foliage and vines contain [[alkaloid]] poisons which cause digestive upset and nervous excitement.

== Other poisonous plants ==
* '''[[Aconitum]]''' (Aconite, wolfsbane, monkshood) (''Aconitum napellus'').''' The poison is concentrated in the unripe seed pods and roots, but all parts are poisonous. Causes digestive upset, nervous excitement. The juice in plant parts is often fatal.
* '''[[Colchicum autumnale|Autumn crocus]]'''. The bulbs are poisonous and cause nausea, vomiting, diarrhea. Can be fatal.
* '''[[Azalea]]'''. All parts of the plant are poisonous and cause nausea, vomiting, depression, breathing difficulties, coma. Rarely fatal.
* '''[[Solanum dulcamara|Bittersweet nightshade]] (''Solanum dulcamara'').''' All parts are poisonous, containing [[solanine]] and causing fatigue, paralysis, convulsions, and diarrhea. Rarely fatal.<ref> http://dnr.metrokc.gov/wlr/LANDS/Weeds/nightshade.pdf, King County Natural Resources and Parks Noxious Weed Control program</ref>
*''' [[Dicentra cucullaria|Bleeding heart]] (''Dicentra cucullaria'')/Dutchman's breeches.''' Leaves and roots are poisonous and cause convulsions and other nervous symptoms.
* '''[[Robinia pseudoacacia|Black locust]].''' Pods are toxic.
* '''[[Black nightshade]] (''Solanum nigrum'').''' All parts of the plant except the ''ripe'' fruit contain the toxin [[glycoalkaloid]] [[solanine]].
* '''Blue-green [[algae]]''' (''Anacystis cynea'' and ''Anabaena circinalis'')
* '''[[Brugmansia|Angel's Trumpet]] (''Brugmansia'').''' All parts of the plant contains the tropane alkaloids [[scopolamine]] and [[atropine]]. Often fatal.
* '''[[Caladium]] / Elephant Ear.''' All parts of the plant are poisonous. Symptoms are generally irritation, pain, and swelling of tissues. If the mouth or tongue swell, breathing may be fatally blocked.
* '''[[Castor oil plant]] (''Ricinus communis''). ''' The phytotoxin is '''ricin, an extremely toxic water-soluble protein''', which is concentrated in the seed. Also present are ricinine, an alkaloid, and an irritant oil. Causes burning in mouth and throat, convulsions, and is often fatal.
* '''[[Crown of Thorns]] Euphorbia genus. The sap on this plant is toxic.
* '''[[Narcissus (plant)|Daffodil]] (''Narcissus'' (genus)).''' The bulbs are poisonous and cause nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea. Can be fatal. Stems also cause headaches, vomiting, and blurred vision.
* '''[[Daphne (plant)|Daphne]] (''Daphne sp.'').''' The berries (either red or yellow) are poisonous, causing burns to mouth and digestive tract, followed by coma. Often fatal.
* '''[[Euphorbia]]. Euphorbia is a huge family of plants that look just like your run-of-the-mill cactai. The sap of these plants can cause rashes, inflammation, and temporary blindness if rubbed in the eyes.
* '''[[Hellebore]].''' Often known as the Christmas or Lenten rose, the hellebore looks innocent. But when ingested, these low-laying leaves and flowers can cause faintness and dizziness.
* '''[[Lolium temulentum|Darnel]] / Poison Ryegrass (''Lolium temulentum'').''' The seeds and seed heads of this common garden weed may contain the alkaloids temuline and loliine. Some experts also point to the fungus ergot or fungi of the genus endoconidium, both of which grow on the seed heads of rye grasses, as an additional source of toxicity.<ref>http://cal.vet.upenn.edu/poison/agbook/lobelia.htm#Lolium</ref>
* '''[[Datura]] / [[solanum|nightshade]].''' Contains the [[alkaloid]]s [[scopolamine]] and [[atropine]]. Datura has been used as a hallucinogenic drug by the native peoples of the Americas and others.<ref>[http://erowid.org/plants/datura/datura.shtml Erowid Datura Vault]</ref>
* '''[[Atropa belladonna|Deadly nightshade]] (''Atropa belladonna'').''' All parts of the plant contain the toxic [[alkaloid]] [[atropine]]. The young plants and seeds are especially poisonous, causing nausea, muscle twitches, paralysis; often fatal.
* '''[[Zigadenus|Deathcamas]] / [[black snakeroot]].''' All parts of the plant are poisonous, causing nausea, severe upset.
* '''[[Delphinium]].''' Contains the alkaloid delsoline. Young plants and seeds are poisonous, causing nausea, muscle twitches, paralysis, often fatal.
* '''[[Actaea pachypoda|Doll's eyes]].''' Berries are highly poisonous, as well as all other parts.
* '''[[dieffenbachia|Dumbcane]] / ''[[dieffenbachia]]''.''' All parts are poisonous, causing intense burning, irritation, and immobility of the tongue, mouth, and throat. Swelling can be severe enough to block breathing, leading to death.
* '''[[sambucus|Elderberry]].''' The roots are poisonous and cause nausea and digestive upset.
* '''[[Ilex aquifolium|European Holly]] (''Ilex aquifolium'').''' The berries are poisonous, causing [[gastroenteritis]].
* '''[[digitalis|Foxglove]] (''Digitalis purpurea'').''' The leaves, seeds, and flowers are poisonous, containing [[cardiac glycoside|cardiac]] or other steroid [[glycoside]]s. These cause irregular heartbeat, general digestive upset, and confusion. Can be fatal.
*'''[[Giant Hogweed]]''' is a phototoxic plant. Its sap can cause phytophotodermatitis (severe skin inflammations) when the skin is exposed to sunlight or to UV-rays. Initially the skin colours red and starts itching. Then blisters form as in burns within 48 hours. They form black or purplish scars, which can last several years. Hospitalisation may become necessary.Presence of minute amounts of sap in the eyes can lead to temporary or even permanent blindness.
* '''[[Dichapetalum cymosum|Gifblaar]] (''[[Dichapetalum cymosum]]''). ''' Well-known as a livestock poison in South Africa; this plant contains the metabolic poison [[Sodium fluoroacetate|fluoroacetic acid]].
* '''[[Conium|Hemlock]] (''Conium maculatum'').''' All parts of the plant contain the relatively simple [[alkaloid]] [[coniine]] which causes stomach pains, vomiting, and progressive paralysis of the central nervous system. Can be fatal; it is the poison that killed [[Socrates]].
* '''[[Hyoscyamus niger|Henbane]].''' Seeds and foliage poisonous.
* '''[[Aesculus hippocastanum|Horse-chestnut]].''' All parts of the plant are poisonous, causing nausea, muscle twitches, and sometimes paralysis.
* '''[[Ivy]].''' The leaves and berries are poisonous, causing stomach pains, labored breathing, possible coma.
* '''[[Holly]].''' Berries cause vomiting, nausea, and diarrhea.
* '''[[Hyacinthus orientalis|Hyacinth]].''' The bulbs are poisonous, causing nausea, vomiting, gasping, convulsions, and possibly death.
* '''[[Abrus precatorius|Jequirity]].''' The seed is highly poisonous.
* '''[[Jerusalem cherry]].''' All parts, especially the berries, are poisonous, causing nausea and vomiting. It is occasionally fatal, especially to children.
* '''[[Datura stramonium|Jimson weed]] / datura / thorn apple / stinkweed / Jamestown weed (''Datura stramonium'').''' All parts of the plant are poisonous, causing abnormal thirst, vision distortions, delirium, incoherence, coma. Often fatal.
* '''[[Laburnum]].''' All parts, especially the seeds, are poisonous, causing excitement, staggering, convulsions, coma; occasionally fatal.
* '''[[Delphinium|Larkspur]] (both ''[[Delphinium]]'' and ''[[Consolida]] spp''<ref>http://www.rhs.org.uk/research/horticultural_themes/hazardous_list.asp, Royal Horticultural Society</ref>).''' Young plants and seeds are poisonous, causing nausea, muscle twitches, paralysis. Often fatal.
* '''[[liliaceae|Lilies]] (''liliaceae'').''' Most are poisonous, especially to cats.
* '''[[Madagascar Ocotillo]]''' Toxic sap.
* '''[[Manchineel tree|Manchineel]] (''Hippomane mancinella'').''' All parts of this tree, including the fruit, contain toxic phorbol esters typical of the [[Euphorbiaceae]].
* '''[[Podophyllum peltatum|Mayapple]] (''Podophyllum peltatum'').''' Green portions of the plant, unripe fruit, and especially the [[rhizome]] contain the non-alkaloid toxin podophyllotoxin, which causes diarrhea, severe digestive upset.
* '''[[Aconitum|Monkshood]].''' All parts of the plant are highly poisonous. Ancient warriors used it to poison their enemies' water supplies. Used in the past for killing wolves. Causes burning, tingling, and numbness in the mouth, then the intestine, followed by vomiting; death by asphyxiation.
* '''[[Moonseed]].''' The fruits and seeds are poisonous, causing nausea and vomiting. Often fatal.
* '''[[kalanchoe delagoensis|Mother of Millions]] (''Kalanchoe tubiflora'').''' These plants are deadly to livestock, and there is every indication that they are toxic to humans.
* '''[[Kalmia latifolia|Mountain Laurel]]''' All parts of the plants are poisonous.
* '''[[Oak]].''' Most species' foliage and acorns are mildly poisonous, causing digestive upset, heart trouble, contact dermatitis. Rarely fatal.
* '''[[Nerium oleander|Oleander]] (''Nerium oleander'').''' '''''All parts are toxic''''', containing nerioside, oleandroside, [[saponin]]s, and cardiac glycosides, but especially the leaves and woody stems. They cause severe digestive upset, heart trouble, [[contact dermatitis]]. '''''Very'' toxic'''.
* '''[[urtica ferox|Ongaonga]]''' (''Urtica ferox''). Even the lightest touch can result in a painful sting that lasts several days.
* '''[[Peace Lily]]''' Have compounds like crystals that cause swelling of the mouth when ingested.
* '''[[Poison ivy]] (''Toxicodendron radicans''), [[Toxicodendron diversilobum|Poison-oak]] (''T. diversilobum''), and [[Poison sumac]] (''T. vernix'').''' All parts of these plants contain a highly irritating oil with [[urushiol]] (actually not a poison, but an ''[[allergen]]).'' Skin reactions can include blisters and rashes. It spreads readily to clothes and back again, and has a very long life. Infections can follow scratching. As stated, this is an allergen, and the toxin will not affect certain people. '''''The smoke of burning poison ivy can cause reactions in the lungs, and can be fatal.'''''
* '''[[Pokeweed]] (''Phytolacca sp.'').''' Leaves, berries and roots contain ''phytolaccatoxin'' and ''phytolaccigenin''. Toxin in young leaves is reduced with each boiling and draining.
* '''[[Privet]] (''Ligustrum sp.'').''' Berries and leaves are poisonous. Berries contain ligustrin and syringin, which cause digestive disturbances, nervous symptoms. Can be fatal.
* '''[[Purple Devil]].''' The leaves will cause horrible indigestion when eaten.
* '''[[Dendrocnide moroides|Stinging Tree]] (''Dendrocnide excelsa'', Stinging tree) and similar species.''' The plant is capable of inflicting a painful sting when touched. The stinging may last for several days and is exacerbated by touching, rubbing, and cold. Can be fatal.
* '''[[Strychnos nux-vomica|Strychnine Tree]] (''Strychnos nux-vomica'').''' The seeds of the strychnine tree usually contain about 1.5% [[strychnine]], an extremely bitter and deadly alkaloid. This substance throws a human into intense muscle convulsions and usually kills within three hours. The bark of the tree may also contain [[brucine]], another dangerous chemical.
* '''[[Cicuta|Water hemlock]] (''Cicuta'' sp.).''' The root, when freshly pulled out of the ground, is extremely poisonous and contains the toxin ''Cicutoxin''. When dried, poison is reduced to roughly 3 to 5 percent of that when fresh.
* '''[[White Snakeroot]] (''Ageratina altissima'')''' All parts are poisonous, causing nausea and vomiting. Often fatal.
* '''[[Gelsemium sempervirens|Yellow Jessamine]].''' All parts are poisonous, causing nausea and vomiting. Often fatal. It is possible to become ill from ingesting honey made from jessamine nectar.
* '''[[Taxus baccata|Yew]] (''Taxus baccata'').''' The toxicity of this tree has been much exaggerated. Neither the berries nor the seeds are poisonous, as is commonly supposed. The leaves are apparently only dangerous in large amounts.<ref>W. J. Stokoe, ''The Oberver's Book of Trees and Shrubs'' (Frederick Warne & Co. Ltd., no date given), p. 194, "Yew-berries are not poisonous, as sometimes supposed; neither is the contained kernel, which has a pleasant nutty flavour. . . . it appears that if eaten in large quantities [the leaves] will prove fatal to man, cattle, horses, sheep, pigs, and possibly other animals, but small quantities of the leaves are usually harmless."</ref>
* '''''[[Zantedeschia aethiopica]]''''' ('''Lily of the Nile''' or '''Calla lily''') Zantedeschia is highly toxic and may be fatal if eaten.

====Notes====
* [[Euphorbia pulcherrima|Euphorbia Poinsettia]]s (''Euphorbia pulcherrima'') Notable for ''not'' being poisonous, despite persistent beliefs to the contrary, although it may cause upset stomach.<ref>[http://www.snopes.com/holidays/christmas/poinsettia.asp Poinsetting It Out]</ref> The National Capitol Poison Center lists Poinsettia as non-poisonous, but it may cause irritation.

==See also==
*[[List of lists]]
*[[Psychedelic plants]]

==References==
{{Reflist}}

==External links==
*http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_poisonous_plants
*[http://weblogs.newsday.com/features/home/gardendetective_blog/2008/02/plants_that_are_toxic_to_pets.html Plants that are toxic to pets Jessica Damiano]
*[http://herbarium.freehostia.com/ Herbarium of toxic plants]
*[http://chppm-www.apgea.army.mil/ento/PLANT.HTM US Army: Guide to poisonous and toxic plants]
*[http://www.ansci.cornell.edu/plants/ Cornell University Poisonous Plants Information Database]

[[Category:Lists of plants]]
[[Category:Poisonous plants| *]]

List of poisonous plants - Revision history

WikiWorks: New page: This is an incomplete list of plants containing poisonous parts that pose a serious risk of illness, injury, or death to humans or animals. == Poisonous fo...