NAME

OFFENDING PLANT SEGMENT

SYMPTOMS

Azalea

Entire plant

Paralysis of the muscles, including the heart; depression of the central nervous system.  Sometimes fatal.

Bird of Paradise

Seed pods

Nausea, vomiting and diarrhoea.

Buttercup

Entire plant

Stomach irritation, diarrhoea and in

large quantities, convulsions.

Calla Lily

Entire plant

Intense burning sensation and irritation of the mouth and stomach.

Capsicum

Causes a burning rash, swollen tissues, and intense irritation of the lips, mouth, throat and stomach.  Ingestion also causes vomiting and diarrhoea.

Castor Bean

Entire plant but especially seeds

Burning sensation in mouth.  Swallowing two or more seeds may cause serious illness or death.

Cayenne Pepper

See Capsicum

Chrysanthemum

Leaves and stems

Contact Dermatitis

Crocus

Any part of the plant

Flower head

Immediate burning pain in the mouth and throat followed by nausea, vomiting and diarrhoea.

Can be fatal.

Daffodil

Entire plant

Severe vomiting and diarrhoea, trembling, convulsions and sometimes death.

Dumb Cane

(Dieffenbachia)

Leaves

Highly toxic.  Chewing the leaves causes immediate intense pain and swelling of the mouth.

English Ivy

Leaves and berries

General excitement, difficulties in breathing, coma.

Feverfew

Leaves and stems

Contact Dermatitis

Holly

Berries

Vomiting, diarrhoea, weakness and collapse.

Hyacinth

See Daffodil.

Hydrangea

Flower buds

Cyanide poisoning.

Some hours may pass before the symptoms of abdominal pain, vomiting and lethargy become obvious.

Iris

Leaves and roots

Sap and seeds

Causes severe burning and pain in the intestinal tract.

Skin irritation may result.

Jerusalem Cherry

Berries

Vomiting, diarrhoea and collapse.

Jonquil

See Daffodil.

Lantana

Berries

Gastro-intestinal irritation, muscular weakness and circulatory difficulties.  Sometimes fatal.

Marguerite Daisies

Leaves and stems

Contact Dermatitis

Narcissus

See Daffodil

Oleander

Entire plant

Nausea, depression, bloody diarrhoea, weakened and irregular pulse and paralysis.

Philodendron

Leaves

Causes painful burning of the lips, mouth, tongue and throat when chewed.

Poinsettia

Leaves, stems

Milky sap

Toxic.  Diarrhoea, abdominal cramps and delirium.

Sap can cause irritation and if rubbed in eyes, blindness.

Poison Oak

Leaves

Skin irritation.

Potato

Green or sprouting

Causes vomiting, nausea, diarrhoea, stomach pain, dilated pupils, circulatory shock, respiratory depression, shock and paralysis.

Privet

Entire plant

Bloody vomiting, diarrhoea, severe irritation of digestive tract and general nervous symptoms.

Ranunculus

Entire plant

See Buttercup

Red Pepper

See Capsicum

Rhubarb

Leaves

Causes violent vomiting, nasal bleeding, stomach pains, and difficulty in breathing, burning of mouth and throat.

Death may occur rapidly.

Sweet Peas

Entire plant and flower

Poisonous if eaten.  Causes permanent paralysis, slow and weak pulse, shallow breathing, weakness, tremors, excitement and convulsions.

Tomato Bush

Leaves and stems

Headache, stomach pain, vomiting, diarrhoea, subnormal temperature, circulatory and respiratory depression.

Tulip

Bulbs

Contact may cause contact dermatitis.

Ingestion causes nausea, vomiting, increased salivation and heart palpitations.

Wandering Jew

Leaves and stems

Contact Dermatitis

Wisteria

Entire plant

Severe vomiting, abdominal pain and diarrhoea.

Yellow Jasmine

Entire plant

Thirst, dilation of pupils, reddened skin, headache, high blood pressure and rapid pulse, convulsion, delirium and coma.