Poisonous Plants

Plants, indoors and out, add beauty to our lives but can also pose a risk when inappropriately used or accidentally eaten or touched. Plant poisonings can include:

• Allergic reactions caused by spores or pollen
• Skin rashes from direct contact
• Internal poisonings caused by ingestion of plant material

An estimated 700 North American plant species have caused illness or death in humans. At least 3 percent of all poisonings are plant-related. Nonetheless, some poisonous plants are so common in our culture that we tend to forget they’re a potential source of harm.

A number of factors can play a role in the toxicity of plants: the part of plant, the time of year, the body weight of the person involved, the type of interaction (contact or ingested), and, in some cases, the person’s metabolism and susceptibility.

Generally, the smaller a person is the less of the toxin is needed to cause ill effects, making children more vulnerable. Also, individuals’ allergies affect their reactions to plants (while some people are seriously allergic to peanuts or strawberries, for example, others can consume large quantities without harm).

To avoid poisonings from plants:

• Learn to recognize poisonous plants in your area.
• Identify all plants in the home. Have this information on hand for use in an emergency.
• Remove known toxic plants from the house or place them out of the reach of children.
• Lock away or dispose of seeds, berries, bulbs and other plant materials that are known to be toxic.
• Don’t allow children to chew or suck on leaves, fruits, seeds or other parts of unknown plants.
• Don’t let children use natural toys and jewelry made from unknown plants.
• Don’t eat or make tea from unknown seeds, berries, leaves, flowers or roots.
• Don’t eat plants with milky or colored sap.
• Don’t eat plant bulbs.
• Don’t let pets graze on unknown plants.