Toxicity Symptoms of Some of the Poisonous
Plants Above:
Compiled by: The San Diego Turtle and
Tortoise Society
619-593-2123 www.sdturtle.org
The purpose of this list is to
make you aware of plants that are potentially dangerous to humans and pets.
It was compiled from a variety of poison
lists. Every effort has been made to identify the plants by their common and
scientific names, along with the portion of the plant that is dangerous. Plants
known to be toxic to tortoises are marked with an asterisk (*). The
number in ( ) refers to toxicity symptoms listed on page 4. Plants with (D)
potentially cause dermatitis. For emergency information, call the San Diego
Poison Information System, 1-800-876-4766.
Acokanthera: fruit and flowers
Aconite/Monkshood*: root, flowers, leaves
African Violet (Saintpaulia ionantha): leaves
Agapanthus/African Lily: foliage, bulbs
Aloe (Aloe vera, Aloe barbadensis): possible irritant
if not fresh
Almond: See
Prunus Spp.
Amaryllis (Amaryllis belladona)*: all parts
Amsinckia/Tarweed: foliage, seeds
Anemone/Windflower: all parts
Angel ‘s
Trumpet Tree (Brugmansia, Datura): toxic
Apple: See
Prunus Spp.
Apricot: See
Prunus Spp.
Arrowhead
Vine: toxic
Atropa belladonna: all parts, esp. black berries
Autumn
Crocus*: bulbs
Avocado:
leaves
Azalea
(Rhododendron) (18): all parts are fatal!
Bamboo ssp:
all parts
Baneberry/Doll’s
Eyes*: berries, roots, foliage
Beach Pea
(Lathyrus maritimus): consider all parts suspect
Belladona
Lily (Amaryllis)*: all parts
Betel Nut
Palm*: all parts
Bird of
Bittersweet
(Solanum celastrus/dulcamera): leaves, berries
Black
Locust: bark, sprouts, foliage
Bleeding
Heart/Dutchman’s Breeches (Dicentra) (13): foliage, roots
Bloodroot
(Sanguinaria): all parts
Bluebonnet
(Lupinus): all parts
Bluegreen
Algae (Mycrocystis):all parts
Blue Weed
(Zchium vulgare): leaves, stems (D)
Boston Ivy
(Parthenocissus tricuspidata): all parts
Bottlebrush
(Callistemon): flowers
Bougainvillea:
flowers, leaves
Boxwood
(Buxus sempervirens)*: all parts, leaves (D)
Buckeye
Horse Chestnuts (Aesculus): sprouts, roots
Buckthorn
(Rhamus spp.): sap, fruit (D)
Burning
Bush, European (Euonymus europaes): leaves, fruit
Buttercup,
Buttercup,
creeping (Ranunculus): all parts, leaves (D)
Buttonbush
(Ceptolanthus occidentalis): leaves
Caladium:
all parts
Calla Lily:
all parts
Candy Tuft
(Iberis): consider all parts suspect
Cardinal
Flower (Lobelia): all parts
Carnation/Sweet
William/Pinks (Dianthus): all parts
Carolina
Jessamine (Gelsemium sempervirens): flowers, leaves, sap
Casava
(Euphorbiacea): roots
Castor Bean
(Ricinus communis) (5): seeds are fatal!
Cestrum (Cestrum
spp.): leafy shoots
Celandine
(Chelidonium): consider all parts suspect
Cherry: See Prunus spp.
Cherry
Laurel: See prunus Spp.
Chinese
Evergreen (Aglaonema modestum. A. simplex): foliage
Chinese
Lantern (Physalis alkekengi): consider all parts suspect
Christmas
Berry/California Holly (Heteromeles arbutifolia): berries, leaves
Christmas
Rose (Helleborus
Chrysanthemum/Shasta
Daisy (Chrysanthemum maximum): foliage, flowers
Citrus Fruits
(esp. Persian Lime): leaves
Coffee
Columbine
(Aguilegia): all parts
Common
Privet (Ligustrum): black/blue wax-coated berries & leaves
Coral Plant
(Euphorbium): all parts
Cow Cockle
(Saponaria vaccaria): seeds
Creeping
Charlie (Glechoma hederacea): black or blue
Crocus*: all
parts
Croton
(Euphorbiacea) indoor plants are safe; outdoor plants are toxic
Crown-of-Thorns
(Euphorbia spp.): milky sap (D)
Cyclamen:
foliage, stems, flowers
Daffodil
(Narcissus)*(1): bulbs may be fatal
Daphne/Spurge/Laurel
(Laurus nobilis) (15): berries are fatal!
Death Camus
(Sygadenus veneous)*: all; roots fatal
Deadly
Nightshade (Solanum nigrum)*: all parts
Delphinium
(Larkspur annual) (7): all parts
Destroying
Angel/Death Cap (Amanita phalloides)*: all parts
Devil’s Ivy:
toxic
Dianthus/Pinks/Sweet
William/Carnation: all parts
Dieffenbachia
(Dumb Cane): all parts, esp. sap
Dogwood
(Cornus): all parts, esp. sap
Dumb Cane
(Dieffenbachia seguine) (4): stems, leaves
Eggplant
(Solanaceae): all except fruit
Elderberry
(Sambucus canadensis) (24): all, esp. roots; except ripe fruit
Elephant
Ears/Taro (Colocasia) (4): all parts including fruit
English Ivy
(Hedera helix): berries, all ivies are toxic
Euphorbia/Crown
of Thorns/Poinsettia (Spurge) (3): all, milky sap (15)
False
Helebore (Veratrum viride & other species): all, roots fatal
Ficus
Benjamina/Weeping Fig/Fig: possible irritant
Fiddle Leaf
Fig (Ficus lyrata): foliage, latex sap
Fiddle
Neck/String of Pearls (Senecio): all parts
Fig (ficus
spp.): milky sap (D)
Flax (Linum
usitatissimum): all, esp. immature seed pods
Fly Agaric
(Fly amanita mushrooms)*: all parts
Foxglove
(Digitalis purpurea)*(12): all parts can be fatal
Gardenia
(Rubiaceae): consider all parts suspect
Gelsemium
sempervirens (Carolina jessamine): all parts
Gladiolus:
can cause mild nausea
Golden Chain
(Laburnum spp.): seeds/pods may be fatal
Grape
Ivy/Heart Ivy: all ivies are fatal
Heavenly
Bamboo (Nandina domestica): all parts
Helebore
(Ranunculaceae): all parts
Hemlock/Conium/Cicuta
(Tsuga)*(30, 31): all parts
Henbane*:
all parts
Holly (Ilex
aquifolium,
Horse
Chestnut (Aesculus): all parts
Horsetail
Reeds (Equisetum hyemale): all parts
Huckleberry,
Garden (Solanum nigrum): unripe berries, leaves
Hyacinth
(garden type not water) (1): foliage, flowers, bulbs can be fatal
Hydrangea*:
all parts
Impatiens/Balsam/Touch-Me-Not/Snapweed:
all parts
Iris (Iris
spp.) (11): underground stems (rhizomes) (D)
Ivy,
(Hedera, Senecio spp.,
Jack-In-The-Pulpit
(Arisaema triphylla) (26): all
Jasmine,
Yellow (Jasminum): all parts
Jatropha/Purge
Nut/Curcas Bean/Peregrina/Psychic Nut: seeds,oil
Jequirity Bean: toxic
Jerusalem
Cherry (Solanum pseudocapsicum): fruit, leaves
Jessamine/Jasmine
(Gelsemium sempervirens): berries are fatal!
Jessamine,
Night Blooming (Cestrum spp.) (19): leafy shoots
Jimson
Weed/Thorn Apple (Datura stramomium)*(32): all parts
Johnson
Grass (Sorgum): all parts are toxic
Jonquil
(Narcissus jonquilla): toxic
Juniper
(Juniperus): all parts
Lady’s
Slipper/Moccasin Flower (Paphiopedilum): all parts
Lambkill/Sheep
Lantana
Camara/Red Sage (20): foliage, green berries are fatal!
Larkspur
(Delphinium) (7): foliage, roots; seeds may be fatal!
Laurel,
Australian (Pittosporum spp.) (18): all
Lily,
Belladonna (Amaryllis belladonna): bulbs
Lily,
Climbing (Gloriosa spp.): all parts
Lily, Crinum
(Crinum asiaticum): bulbs
Lily of the
Nile (Agapanthus africanus): foliage, bulbs
Lily, Naked
Lady (Brunsvigia roses): bulbs
Lily-Of-The-Valley
(Convallaria sp.)*(10): all parts
Lily, spider
(Hymenocallis
Lily, Zephyr
(Zephranthes spp.): leaves, bulbs
Lobelia/Cardinal
Flower: all parts, fruit (D)
Locoweed*:
all parts
Locust,
Black (Robinia)pseudo-acacia): all parts
Lupine
(Lupinus)*: leaves, pods, esp. seeds
Machineel:
all parts
Majesty
(Philodendron hastatum): leaves, sap
Marigold
(Tagetes): consider all parts suspect
Marigold,
Desert (Baileya multiradiata): whole plant
Marijuana:
all parts
Matrimony
Vine (Lycium helimifolium): leaves, young shoots
May
Apple/Mandrake (Podophyllum peltatum)): all parts
Mescal
(Peyote)*: all parts
Milkweed
(Asclepias): all parts
Mistletoe*
(Phorodentron flavescens) (6): berries are fatal!
Moccasin
Flower/Lady Slipper (Cypripedium spectabiles): all parts
Mock Orange
(Primus caroliniana): all parts
Mock Orange
(Philadelphus spp.): fruit
Monkshood
(Aconitum ranunculecea)*(8): foliage, esp. seeds & roots
Moonflower
(Calonyction spp.): seeds
Moonseed:
berries may be fatal
Morning
Glory (Ipomea) (27): all parts
Mother-In-Law
Tongue (Sansevieria trifasciata): toxic
Mountain
Laurel (Kalmia latifolia): young leaves/shoots are fatal!
Mushrooms
& Toadstools (wild types): all parts
Narcissus/Daffodil
(1): bulbs can be fatal
Natal Cherry
(Solanum): berries
Nectarine: See Prunus Spp.
Nephthytis
(Syngonium podophyllum): foliage
Nettle/Stinging
Nettle (Urtica): consider all parts suspect
Ngaio
(Myoporum laetum): leaves
Nicotiana//Tree
Tobacco (wild & cultivated)*: leaves
Nightshade,
Black (solanum modiflorum): unripe berries
Nightshade/European
Bittersweet (Solanum nigura): all, esp. unripe berries
Oak Tree
(Quercus) (23): foliage, acorns
Orchid, Lady
Slipper (Cypripedium spp.): hairy stems, leaves (D)
Oleander
(Nerium oleander) (2): all parts
Oleander,
Yellow (Thevetia peruviana): all parts
Osage,
Pansy/Violet
(Viola): all parts (OK for tortoises)
Pasque
Flower (Anemone patens): young plants, flowers
Peach
(Prunus spp.): leaves; seeds: See Prunus
Spp.
Pear: See Prunus Spp.
Penny Royal
(Hedeoma, Mentha): foliage, flowers
Penstemon
family: Digitalis & Scrophularia: consider toxic
Peony
(Paeonia): all parts
Peppers
(Capsicum): foliage
Periwinkle/Myrtle
(Vinca): all parts
Peyote
(Mescal): toxic
Pheasant’s
Eye/Spring Adonis (Adonis vernalis): consider all parts suspect
Philodendron
(Philodendron spp.): all including sap
Pimpernel,
Scarlet (Anagallis spp.): all parts
Pinks/Sweet
William/Carnation (Dianthus): all parts
Pokeweed/Pokeberry
(Phytolacca): roots
Poinsettia
(Euphorbia pulcherrima) (3): leaves, sap are fatal! (D)
Poison
Hemlock (Canium maculatum)*: all parts are fatal!
Poison
Ivy/Poison Oak/Poison Sumac (Rhus sp.)*: all parts (D)
Poppy: all
except
Potato
(Solanaceaae)*: green skin and raw shoots are fatal!
Pothos
(Epipremnum aureum): leaves
Primrose
(Primula): leaves, stems (D)
Privet
(Ligustrm): leaves, berries
Prunus Spp.
(apricot, bitter almond, cherry, cherry laurel, nectarine, peach,
plum) (22):
fleshy fruit edible; all other parts poisonous including seeds
Pyracantha:
foliage, fruit
Ranunculus/Creeping
Buttercup: all parts
Red
Bird-of-Paradise (Caesalpinia pulcherrima): leaves & seeds
Redwood:
wood chips poisonous to fish, turtles, other aquatics
Rhododendron
(Azalea)*(18): all parts are fatal!
Rhubarb
(Rheum rhaponticum)*(14): leaves/blades fatal (D); stems edible
Rosary
Pea/Jequirity Bean (Ricinum communis)(5): all, seeds (“beans”) fatal!
Rosemary
(Romarinus officinalis): leaves of some varieties are poisonous
Rubber Tree
(Ficus elastica decora): consider all parts suspect
Russian
Thistle (Carduus or Silybum): foliage, flowers
Saffron,
Meadow (Colchicum autumnale) (9): leaves
Sage
(Salvia): leaves of some varieties are poisonous
Salmon
Salvia
(Sage): the leaves of some varieties are poisonous.
Scarlet
Pimpernel (Anagallis): all parts
Schefflera/Umbrella
Tree (Schefflera actinophylla): all parts
Scotch Broom
(Cytisus scoparious): seeds
Scrophularia
(Penstemon family): contains cardiac stimulant; consider toxic
Senecio: all
parts
Shasta
Daisy/Chrysanthemum (Chrysanthemum maximum): foliage, flowers
Skunk
Cabbage (Lysichitum): roots
Snakeroot,
White (Eupatorium rugosum): leaves, stems
Snapdragon
(Antirrhinum): all parts
Snow-on-the-Mountain
(Euphorbia spp.) (3): milky sap (D)
Sour Dock
(Rumex acetosa): leaves
Spanish
Bayonet (Yucca aloifolia): root
Spider Mum
(Chrysanthemum morifolium): foliage, flowers
Squirrel
Corn (Dicentra canadensis): all parts
Star-Of-Bethlehem
(Ornithogalum) (9): all parts
Star Thistle
(Centaurea): consider all parts suspect
Stranomium:
all parts
String-of
Pearls/Fiddle Neck (Senecio): all parts
Sundew (Droscera):
foliage
Sweet Pea
(Lathyras odoratus) (28): stems
Tansy
(Tanacetum): all parts
Taro/Elephant’s
Ear (Calocasia): stems, leaves
Tar Weed
(Eriodictyon): foliage, flowers, seed pods
Tiger Lily
(Lium tigrinum): all parts
Thornapple
(Datura spp.) (32): all parts
Toad Flax
(Linaria): foliage
Toadstool:
all parts
Tobacco
(Nicotiana spp.): all parts
Tomato
(Lycopersicon spp.): foliage, vines
Toyon
Berry/Christmas
Tree of
Heaven (Ailanthus altissima): foliage, flowers (D)
Trillium/Wake
Robin: foliage
Tulip
(Tulipa spp.) (29): bulbs
Trumpet
Vine/Trumpet Creeper (Campsis): all parts
Umbrella
Tree (Schefflera actinophylla): all parts
Verbena
(Verbena): foliage, flowers
Venus
Flytrap (Dionacea): all parts
Vetch (Vicia):
seeds, pods
Vinca/Periwinkle/Myrtle:
all parts
Virginia
Creeper (Parthenocissus): foliage, seed pods
Walnut
(Julglans spp.): green hull juice (D)
Water
Hemlock (Cicuta maculata)*: all parts, esp. roots, are fatal!
Wild
Blackcherry/Chokecherry/Rum Cherry (Prunus serotina): leaves
Wild Parsnip
(Pastinaca): underground roots, foliage
Wisteria:
seeds, pods
Yellow
Jasmine (Jasminum): all parts
Yellow
Oleander (Nerium oleander): all parts, esp. kernels of the fruit
Yellow Star
Thistle (Centaurea): foliage, flowers
Yerba Santa
(Eriodictyon): foliage, seeds (only stems cooked for humans)
Yew (Taxus)*
(21): foliage, flowers, berries are toxic
Yucca
aloifolia/Spanish Bayonet: roots
Toxicity Symptoms of Some of the Poisonous
Plants Above:
1. Nausea,
vomiting, diarrhea. May be fatal.
2. Extremely
poisonous. Affects the heart, produces severe digestive upset; has caused
death.
3. Fatal. One
leaf can kill a child.
4. Intense
burning & irritation of the mouth & tongue. Death can occur if base of
tongue swells enough to block the air passage of the throat.
5. Fatal. One
rosary pea seed has caused death. One or two castor bean seeds are near the
lethal dose for adults
6. Fatal.
Children & adults have died from eating the berries.
7. Digestive
upset, nervous excitement, depression. May be fatal.
8. Digestive
upset, nervous excitement.
9. Vomiting,
nervous excitement.
10.Irregular
heartbeat & pulse, usually accompanied by digestive upset & mental
confusion
11.Severe, but
not usually serious. Digestive upset.
12.One source
of the drug Digitalis. It’s used to stimulate the heart. In large amounts the
active principles cause dangerous irregular heartbeat & pulse. Usually
digestive upset & mental confusion. May be fatal.
13.May be
poisonous in large amounts. Has proved fatal to cattle.
14.Fatal. Large
amounts of raw or cooked leaves can cause convulsions, coma, followed rapidly
by death.
15.Fatal. A few
berries can kill a child.
16.Mild to
severe digestive upset. Many children are poisoned by this plant.
17.Severe
poisoning. Excitement, staggering, convulsions, coma. May be fatal.
18.Fatal.
Produces nausea & vomiting, depression, difficult breathing, prostration
& coma.
19.Fatal.
Digestive disturbance, nervous symptoms.
20.Fatal.
Affects lungs, kidneys, heart, nervous system. Grows in the southern
21.Fatal.
Foliage more toxic than berries. Death is usually sudden and without warning
symptoms.
22.Fatal.
Contains a compound that releases cyanide when eaten. Symptoms that often
appear within minutes include gasping, excitement, prostration.
23.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.
24.Children
have been poisoned by using pieces of the pithy stems for blowguns. Nausea
& digestive upset.
25.Children
have suffered nausea, weakness & depression after chewing the bark &
seeds.
26.Like Dumb
Cane, contains small needle-like crystals of calcium oxalate that cause intense
irritation & burning of the mouth & tongue. Sap causes contact
dermatitis.
27.Blue-purple
color resembling wild grapes. Contains a single seed. (True wild grapes contain
several small seeds.) May be fatal.
28.Sweet Peas
contain a poison that causes a form of paralysis. It is seldom fatal, but it
can keep a victim bedridden for months.
29.One Tulip
bulb contains enough poison to kill a man.
30.Fatal.
Resembles a large wild carrot. Used in ancient
31.Fatal.
Violent & painful convulsions.
32.Abnormal
thirst, distorted sight. Delirium, incoherence & coma. Common cause of
poisoning. Has proved fatal.
References:
Highfield, A.C.
(1988-2000). The Tortoise and Turtle
Feeding Manual. Carapace Press,
Lewis, W.A. & Elvin-Lewis, P.F. (1977), Medical Botany: Plants Affecting Man’s Health. John Wiley &
Sons.
San Diego Turtle
and Tortoise Society. www.sdturtle.org.
Sunset Books & Sunset Magazine, Eds. (1995).
The Bridge.
(June/July/August 1996). “Plants that Poison: the Revised List.”
www.tortoise.org.
(
www.turtlecafe.net.
(
www.library.thinkquest.org. The Tortoise
Treasury. (