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Beware of Pretty Plants
California Poison Control Center
1-800-876-4766
Plant
Toxic Part
Symptoms
Narcissus, Daffodil……... Bulbs………………………Nausea, Vomiting, Diarrhea, may be fatal
Oleander………………… Leaves, Branches………..Extremely Poisonous, Effects the heart, one
leaf can be fatal
Dieffenbachia……………. All parts…………………. Intense burning and irritation of the mouth
and tongue. Death can occur if the base of
the tongue swells enough to block the
airway
Mistletoe………………….Berries…………………….Can be fatal. Both children and adults have
died from eating berries.
Buttercups……………….All parts…………………….Irritant juices may severely injury the
digestive system.
Jimson Weed……………All parts…………………….Abnormal thirst and sight; incoherence and
coma. Can be fatal.
Jack-in-the Pulpit……….All parts…………………….Intense irritation and burning of the tongue.
Especially Roots
May Apple………………Unripe Fruit…………………May be fatal
Foliage & Roots
Azaleas, Laurels……….All parts……………………..Nausea, Vomiting, Depression, Difficult
Rhododendron
breathing, and coma.
Daphne………………….Berries………………………A few berries may be fatal.
Larkspur…………………Young plant, seeds………..Digestive upset, nervous excitement,
depression. May be fatal.
Autumn Crocus…………Bulbs………………………..Vomiting and nervous excitement
Star of Bethlehem
Foxglove…………………Leaves……………………..In large amount can cause dangerously
irregular heartbeat and pulse, digestive
upset and confusion. May be fatal.
Rhubarb………………….Leaf blade…………………Fatal. Large amount of raw or cooked
leaves can cause convulsions and coma.
Followed rapidly by death.
Wild and Cultivated……..Twigs, Foliage…………….Fatal. Contains a compound that releases
Cherries
cyanide when eaten. Gasping, excitement
and prostration are common symptoms that
often appear within minutes.
Oak Trees………………..Foliage, Acorns…………...Affects kidneys gradually, symptoms
appear only after several days or weeks.
Takes a large amount for poisoning.
Children should not be allowed to chew on
acorns.
Note: This is a sampling of common poisonous plants, it is intended only for informational
purposes. For more information please contact the Poison Control Education Center listed
below.
IF YOU SUSPECT THAT SOMEONE MAY HAVE EATEN OR INJESTED A
POISONIOUS PLANT, IMMEDIATELY CALL THE POISON CONTROL CENTER
(1-800-876-4766) AND 911.
For more information, contact the California Poison Control Center, Education Center at
(1-800-582-3387)