Poisonous Plants in the Landscape Vincent Mannino County Extension Director Fort Bend County

Poisonous Plants in the Landscape Purpose To become familiar with some of your poisonous landscape plants To become familiar with some of your poisonous landscape plants To determine what parts of the plant is poisonous To determine what parts of the plant is poisonous To review the types of poisonings To review the types of poisonings

Plant Poisonings Types of Poisonings Dermatitis (skin irritations) Dermatitis (skin irritations) Internal Poisons Internal Poisons –Some act on the brain causing narcotic reactions and other mental disturbances –Some affect the spinal cord resulting in paralysis and convulsions –Some act as heart depressants and stimulants –Some irritate the digestive tract and nervous system

Plant Poisonings To prevent plant poisonings, follow these safety tips: Know the names of all your plants Know the names of all your plants Label plants for ease in identification Label plants for ease in identification Keep poisonous plants, seeds, and bulbs away from children and pets Keep poisonous plants, seeds, and bulbs away from children and pets Do not eat wild plants and mushrooms Do not eat wild plants and mushrooms Teach children & pets not to eat plants Teach children & pets not to eat plants

The Common Poisonous Plants in the Landscape

Air Potato Toxic Plant Part Toxic Plant Part –Raw fruit Symptoms Symptoms –Abdominal pain –Nausea Used as a high-climbing landscape plant

Algerian Ivy Toxic Plant Part Toxic Plant Part –All parts Symptoms Symptoms –diarrhea –nervousness –Labored respiration –convulsions Used as a shade-loving vining groundcover

Allamanda Toxic Plant Part Toxic Plant Part –all parts Symptoms Symptoms –Nausea –High temperature –Dryness of mouth Used as a flowering climber

Amaryllis Toxic Plant Part Toxic Plant Part –Bulbs –Seeds Symptoms Symptoms –Gastrointestinal problems –Vomiting –Diarrhea Used as a spring-flowering accent plant

Arborvitae Toxic Plant Part Toxic Plant Part –needles Symptoms Symptoms –Low blood pressure –Convulsions Used as an accent or screen plant

Angel Trumpet Toxic Plant Part Toxic Plant Part –All parts Symptoms Symptoms –Blurring of vision –Delirium –Death Used as a flower, semi- hardy accent plant

Azalea Toxic Plant Part Toxic Plant Part –All parts Symptoms Symptoms –Nausea –Vomiting –Convulsions –Death Used as a shade-loving hedge or accent plant

Barberry Toxic Plant Part Toxic Plant Part –All parts Symptoms Symptoms –Depressant Action on heart Used as a sun-loving hedge or accent plant

Black Locust Toxic Plant Part Toxic Plant Part –Bark –Seeds Symptoms Symptoms –Nausea –Weakness –depression Used as a flowering specimen tree

Boxwood Toxic Plant Part Toxic Plant Part –Leaves –twigs Symptoms Symptoms –Gastric problems –Vomiting Used as a shade or sun-loving hedge or accent plant

Buckeye Toxic Plant Part Toxic Plant Part –All parts Symptoms Symptoms –Abdominal pain –Nausea Used as a native ornamental tree

Caladium Toxic Plant Part Toxic Plant Part –All parts Symptoms Symptoms –Burning in mouth & throat –Vomiting Used as a shade-loving foliage plant

Calla-lily Toxic Plant Part Toxic Plant Part –All parts Symptoms Symptoms –Burning in mouth & throat –Vomiting Used as a shade-loving flowering plant

Castor Bean Toxic Plant Part Toxic Plant Part – –seeds Symptoms Symptoms –Burning in mouth & throat – –gastric and intestinal problems Used as a sun-loving, large accent plant

Century Plant (yucca) Toxic Plant Part Toxic Plant Part – –leaves Symptoms – –vomiting, diarrhea Used as a sun-loving, large accent plant

Cherry Toxic Plant Part Toxic Plant Part – –leaves, bark, seeds Symptoms – –gasping, nervous breathing disorder Used as a small flowering ornamental tree

Caladiums Toxic Plant Part Toxic Plant Part – –all parts Symptoms – –burning, irritation of tongue Used as a shade-loving, foliaged accent pant

Clematis Toxic Plant Part Toxic Plant Part – –all parts Symptoms – –gastrointestinal irritation Sweet Autumn Clematis Used as a flowering climber

Crinum Lily Toxic Plant Part Toxic Plant Part – –bulb Symptoms – –Vomiting – –diarrhea Used as a spring-flowering accent plant

Delphinium Toxic Plant Part Toxic Plant Part – –all parts Symptoms – –digestive upset – –nervous excitement or depression Used in cluster plantings as sun-loving large accent plants

Elderberry Toxic Plant Part Toxic Plant Part – –All vegetative parts Symptoms – –Nausea – –Vomiting – –Nausea – –vomiting Used as a native plant under tree lines

Elephant Ear Toxic Plant Part Toxic Plant Part – –all parts Symptoms – –burning, irritation of tongue Used as a large foliaged accent pant

English Ivy Toxic Plant Part Toxic Plant Part – –leaves – –stems – –fruit Symptoms – –headache – –fever – –anxiety – –breathing difficulty – –coma Used as a shade-loving vining groundcover or climber

Eucalyptus Toxic Plant Part Toxic Plant Part –leaves Symptoms – –nausea – –vomiting – –diarrhea – –weakness – –respiratory difficulty Used fragrant accent tree

Firethorn (pyracantha) Toxic Plant Part Toxic Plant Part –berries Symptoms – –stomach ache – –blistering of tongue – –vomiting Used as a flowering & fruiting security plant

Four-o-clock Toxic Plant Part Toxic Plant Part –roots –seeds Symptoms – –vomiting – –diarrhea – –abdominal pain Used in cluster plantings as sun-loving flowering plants

Ginkgo Toxic Plant Part Toxic Plant Part –fruit Symptoms – –violent stomach pains – –kidney disorders Used as a pest-tolerant specimen tree for fall color

Gloriosa Lily Toxic Plant Part Toxic Plant Part –all parts Symptoms – –numbness of lips, tongue and throat – –nervous system paralysis Used as a shade-loving spring flowering plants

Holly Toxic Plant Part Toxic Plant Part –berries Symptoms – –vomiting – –diarrhea Both native & adapted small trees or shrubs as accent plants & wildlife attractants

Honeysuckle Toxic Plant Part Toxic Plant Part –all parts Symptoms – –diarrhea – –pupil dilation – –irregular heartbeat – –respiratory failure – –coma Native & adapted vines or shrubs to attract humming birds, moth, & butterflies

Hyacinths Toxic Plant Part Toxic Plant Part –all parts Symptoms – –numbness of lips, tongue and throat – –nervous system paralysis Used as spring-flowering accent plants

Hydrangea Toxic Plant Part Toxic Plant Part –bark –leaves Symptoms – –gastric & intestinal upset – –convulsions Used as a shade-loving large flowering plants

Impatiens Toxic Plant Part Toxic Plant Part –leaves –stems –roots Symptoms – –vomiting – –diarrhea Used as a shade-loving flowers planted in clusters

Iris Toxic Plant Part Toxic Plant Part –rhizomes Symptoms – –severe digestive tract discomfort Used in cluster plantings as sun-loving, moisture tolerant flowering plants

Jack-in-the-Pulpit Toxic Plant Part Toxic Plant Part –all parts Symptoms – –severe digestive tract discomfort Used as a native, moisture tolerant accent plant

Juniper Toxic Plant Part Toxic Plant Part –berries Symptoms – –kidney damage Used as a small ornamental tree

Lantana Toxic Plant Part Toxic Plant Part –fruit Symptoms – –gastric upset – –vomiting – –diarrhea – –circulatory collapse Used in cluster plantings as sun- loving, low-growing bedding plant

Lily-of-the-Valley Toxic Plant Part Toxic Plant Part –all parts Symptoms – –Nausea – –Vomiting – –Diarrhea – –irregular heartbeat & pulse – –mental confusion Used as a shade-loving accent plants

Lily Toxic Plant Part Toxic Plant Part –all parts Symptoms – –dizziness – –stomach pains – –collapse Used as accent plants for spring bloom

Mahonia Toxic Plant Part Toxic Plant Part –all parts Symptoms – –depressant action on heart Used as a shade-loving, flowering/fruiting accent plants

Mimosa Toxic Plant Part Toxic Plant Part –all parts Symptoms – –intestinal irritation Used as a flowering tree

Morning Glory Toxic Plant Part Toxic Plant Part –seeds –roots Symptoms – –hallucinations – –vomiting – –diarrhea – –muscle tightness Used as a full-sun flowering climber

Mountain Laurel Toxic Plant Part Toxic Plant Part –leaves –twigs –flowers Symptoms – –gastric upset – –paralysis – –convulsions Used as a native sun-loving, small tree

Oleander Toxic Plant Part Toxic Plant Part –all parts Symptoms – –dizziness – –irregular heartbeat – –nausea – –convulsions – –death. A sun-loving plant used in cluster plantings or as an accent plant

Ornamental Tobacco Toxic Plant Part Toxic Plant Part –all parts Symptoms – –weakness – –diarrhea – –abdominal pain – –paralysis A sun-loving plant used in clusters or single plantings

Periwinkle Vine Toxic Plant Part Toxic Plant Part –all parts Symptoms – –intestinal irritation Used in cluster plantings as shade-loving groundcover

Annual Periwinkle Toxic Plant Part Toxic Plant Part –all parts Symptoms – –Hallucinations – –damage to liver, kidney and nervous system Used in cluster plantings as sun-loving border plants

Plumbago Toxic Plant Part Toxic Plant Part –leaves –stems Symptoms – –stomach pain Used in cluster plantings as sun-loving large flowering accent plants

Privet Toxic Plant Part Toxic Plant Part –fruit Symptoms – –nausea – –headache – –abdominal pain – –vomiting – –diarrhea – –low blood pressure Used in cluster plantings as sun-loving large accent plants

Sago Palm Toxic Plant Part Toxic Plant Part –seeds –roots –trunk –pith Symptoms – –headache – –vomiting – –stomach disorders Used as a sun-loving large accent plant

Sweet Shrub Toxic Plant Part Toxic Plant Part –seeds Symptoms – –affects central nervous system – –heart spasms – –increased heart rate Used as a native accent plant

Trumpet Creeper Toxic Plant Part Toxic Plant Part –All parts except fruit Symptoms – –gastric irritation – –dilated pupils – –numbness in hands Used as a native vining plant

Virginia Creeper Toxic Plant Part Toxic Plant Part –berries –leaves Symptoms – –nausea – –bloody vomiting – –abdominal pain – –kidney damage – –headache Used as a native vining plant

Wisteria Toxic Plant Part Toxic Plant Part –pods –seeds Symptoms – –stomach pain – –diarrhea – –nausea – –vomiting Used as sun-loving accent or climber

Yew Toxic Plant Part Toxic Plant Part –berries –foliage Symptoms – –death without symptoms Used in cluster plantings as sun-loving large accent plants

The End! Questions??