Download Poisonous Plants

Poisonous Plants
The listed plants are considered harmful to children if ingested. The most dangerous plants listed in the table are
coloured green and should not be in a child’s environment. Other plants may be a health risk if consumed or can
cause allergic reactions if touched. Contact the Poisons Information Centre (13 11 26) to discuss the appropriate
first aid action if your child ingests any plant or gardening product in your home or garden. Please note this list is
not exhaustive and you should consult the Department of Agriculture’s list of harmful plants for more details.
PLANT
TOXIC PART
PLANT
TOXIC PART
African Milk Bush
Synadenium grantii
All parts, especially sap
which is corrosive.
Duranta
Duranta repens
Fruit.
Agapanthus
Agapanthus orientalis
Sap and leaves. Can also
cause acute skin irritation.
Foxglove
Digitalis purpurea
All parts.
Aloe Vera
Aloe vera
All parts. Can also cause
skin irritation.
Hemlock
Conium maculatum
All parts, especially seeds.
Angels Trumpet
Brugmansia
All parts, including nectar.
Holly
Ilex aquifolium
Fruit and leaves.
Arum Lily
Zantedeschia aethiopica
All parts, especially flower
spike and berries. Can
also cause skin irritation.
Jessamine
Cestrum spp.
All parts, especially fruit.
All parts. Can also cause
skin irritation.
Laburnum/Golden Chain
Tree
Laburnum anagyroides
All parts, especially seeds.
Autumn Crocus
Colchicum autumnale
Azalea
Rhododendron
All parts.
Lantana
Lantana spp.
Fruit and thorns. Can also
cause skin irritation.
Bird of Paradise
Caesalpinia gilliesii
Pods and seeds.
Naked Lady
Amaryllis belladonna
All parts, especially sap
and bulb. Can also cause
skin irritation.
Black Locust
Robinia psuedoacacia
All parts.
Nightshades
Solanaceae
Leaves and green berries.
Box
Buxus spp.
All parts. Can also cause
skin irritation.
Cape Lilac
Melia azedarach
All parts.
Oleander & Yellow
Oleander
Nerium oldeander &
Cascabela thevetia
All parts, especially seed
in kernel. Can also cause
skin irritation.
Castor Oil Plant
Ricinus communis
Flowers, leaves and
seeds.
Poinsettia
Euphorbia pulcherrima
Leaves and sap. Can also
cause skin irritation.
Daphne
Daphne
All parts, especially bark
and berries. Can also
cause skin irritation.
Rhus
Toxicondendron
succedaneum
All parts, especially sap,
can cause severe skin
irritation.
PLANT
TOXIC PART
Sweet Pea
Lathyrus odoratus
All parts, especially seeds.
Toadstools and Wild
Fungus
Amanita spp.
All parts. Never eat fungi
occurring in gardens or
lawns.
Thornapple
Datura spp.
All parts, especially
flowers, seeds and nectar.
Wintersweet/Bushman’s
poison
Acokanthera spectabilis
All parts.
Yew
Taxus baccata
Seeds and leaves.
Zamia
Macrozamia spp.
Seeds and leaves.
Preventing Poisoning
DO NOT
•
Assume a plant is not poisonous because birds or
other wildlife can eat it.
•
Use any part of a plant for cooking or medicinal use
unless fully aware of its attributes.
DO
•
Make sure all plants, both indoor and outdoor, are
accurately identified. Take a sample of the plant to
your local nursery if you are unsure of what type of
plant it is.
•
Teach your children never to put leaves, stems,
seeds, nuts or berries from any plant into their
mouths.
•
Keep poisonous plants out of children’s reach (e.g.
remove or securely fence off all identified poisonous
plants).
•
Keep a record of all plants in your garden.
•
Keep the Poisons Information Centre phone number
on your phone (13 11 26).
Fruits and Vegetables
PLANT
TOXIC PART
Avocado
Persea americana
Leaves.
Bay tree/Sweet bay
(bay leaves are used for
cooking)
Laurus nobilis
Berries.
Potato
Solanum tuberosum
All green parts, especially
green skin.
Rhubarb
Rheum rhaponticum
Leaves. Can also cause
minor skin irritation.
Stone fruit (apricot, cherry,
nectarine, peach, plum)
Prunus spp.
Kernels.
Tomato
Solanum lycopersicum
Green parts of fruit, leaves
and vines.
Note: Kidsafe WA acknowledges the value in children
planting quick growing and fruiting vegetables that may be
included in our poisonous plants fact sheet. These plants
can be incorporated into Kitchen Gardens when used in a
supervised environment.
References:
1 Department of Agriculture and Food. Bulletin No. 4641: Harmful
Garden Plants in Western Australia. July 2009.
2 Johnson, A. Primefact 359: Garden plants poisonous to people.
2006. Retrieved from www.ruralresidentialliving.com.au.
Kidsafe WA © 2016
Excerpts may be copied for educational purposes.
Written permission is required to copy this fact
sheet in its entirety.
For more information
Child Safety Information Line
Poisons Information Line
(08) 6244 4880
1800 802 244
13 11 26