Poisonous Plants S. David Baker, R.Ph., CSPI Central Texas Poison Control Center Scott & White Memorial Hospital
Oxalate Containing Plants F Rhubarb F Dieffenbachia F Caladium F Philodendron F Oxalis F Calla Lily F Jack-in-the-pulpit F Others
Rhubarb
Dieffenbachia
Dieffenbachia
Philodendron
Jack-in-the-pulpit
Oxalate F Needle like crystals F Edema of mouth, tongue, and throat F Ingestion of larger quantities can lead to multi-organ damage. Renal, Hepatic, Myocardial, Brain, and GI
Cardiac Glycoside Plants F Oleander F Lily of the Valley F Foxglove
Oleander
Oleander
Lily of the Valley
Foxglove
Cardiac Glycoside Plants F Just like Digoxin F Bradycardia with AV block F Hypotension F Lethargy F Dizziness F GI upset
Solanine containing Plants F Potato F Black Nightshade F Jerusalem Cherry
Potato
Black Nightshade
Jerusalem Cherry
Solanine F N / V / D, headache F Drowsiness F Coma F Onset hours F Duration - up to 3 days F Plants can also be anticholinergics
Anticholinergic Plants F Belladona F Datura –Angel’s Trumpet –Jimson weed –Thorn Apple F Henbane
Belladonna
Jimson Weed
Jimson Weed Seeds
Henbane
Anticholinergics F Hyperthermia, flushing F Dry mucus membranes F Mydriasis F Tachycardia F Decreased GI motility F Urinary retention F Delirium, hallucinations, CNS depression
Cyanogenic Glycosides F Almond F Peach F Plum F Cherry F Apple F Clover F Others
Cyanogenic
Cyanogenic Glycosides F Usually only a problem if you make a meal out of them F seeds are not a problem F Enzymatic breakdown in GI leads to toxicity F Onset 30 minutes to 2 hours F Respiratory distress, syncope, coma, seizures follow GI symptoms.
Other Plants F Castor Beans F Rosary Beans F Poinsetta F Ganja F Lantana F Nicotiana F Poison Ivy
Castor Bean Plant
Castor Beans
Rosary bean
Castor Bean Toxicity Rosary Bean Toxicity F Beans are very hard and only toxic if chewed F GI effects within 6 hours, cause gastric lesions, looks like alkaline burns F days after exposure - cytotoxic effects - Liver, Kidney, Brain
Poinsettia
Poinsettia F Causes severe stomach irritation F Lots of Nausea and Vomiting F Not considered toxic F Dehydration F Electrolyte imbalances
GanjaGanjaGanjaGanja
Lantana
Lantana F Unripe berries are the most toxic F Lantadene - atropine like substance F Anticholinergic poisoning
Nicotiana tabacum
Nicotine F GI upset - N / V F Onset in minutes F Duration hours F Increase in heart rate and blood pressure then irregular pulse and hypotension F Tremors and seizures
Poison Ivy
Other plants F Water Hemlock F Poke Weed
Water Hemlock
F Mydriasis F Tachycardia F Seizures - Onset 5 minutes to 2 hours F Salivation, gastritis, diarrhea, emesis F Rhabdomyolysis, and renal failure F Metabolic acidosis F Strychnine like substance
Poke Weed
Poke weed F Mostly GI effects F Onset 30 minutes to 5 hours F Duration - 1 to 48 hours F Headache F Weakness F Seizures F Coma