Both Dermal and Oral
toxicity levels should be considered if potential for injury to the
purchaser exists. I suggest a special rating should exist for those plants that
have bright berries or seed pods that look edible. The laburnum, castor bean
and skimmia come quickly to mind. In the case of the laburnum, by simply
growing the less fruitful cultivar x waterei ‘Vossi’ near eliminates the
risk. It rarely sets seeds.
Some of the risks are simply mitigated by properly deadheading spent flowers
before they create seed. Lupinus as an example. For dermal toxicity wearing
gloves will protect your hands – something this gardener rarely does.
Allergic skin reactions.
What is news to some people is that dermal reactions may sometimes take 24- 48
hours to appear. It is easy to remember and to avoid the nettle or poison
ivy/sumac that appears suddenly, it is less easy to deal with allergic
reactions that occur days later.
Some reactions also occur only if one comes into contact with the plant in sunlight—or
are chemicals that make the skin very sensitive to sunlight.
Handle these plants with care!
Alstroemaria (Peruvian Lily) skin allergy
Leyland cypress Inhalation of smoke or contact with sap. (I have been there—am
very allergic to some trees, especially in burning them. Allergy settles in my
lungs!) Allergy
Daphne’s D Skin allergy
Dictamnus D Photodermatitis
Dieffenbachia D Skin and eye irritant
Echium Skin irritant
Euphorbia (spurges) sap is a skin irritant in daylight.
Primula obconica German primula D dermatitis
Ruta (Rue) D* Severe skin rashes if handled in sunlight. Skin damage can be
permanent.
I have further noticed that some of these effects may be cumulative. My own
allergic reactions have been in great part due to excess stupidity. After
deadheading spent flowers in the spring and exposing myself to these plant
irritants and winter molds that have accumulated on the stems … I then burnt
them in piles.
Every spring I came down with lung specific allergy attacks. Burning cedar and
cypress’s seem equally bad for this gardener.
Use caution when dealing with any plant you are allergic to!
I make note that this is a listing of some plants that have proven to be a
problem to humans. Dogs and cats may have other issues, so please ask your
Veterinarian about plant concerns for animals.
Oral Toxins
O -poisonous. O very serious! D dermal
Aconitum (Monkshood) D O
Aesculus (Horse chestnut) O
Arum (Cuckoo plant) O *
Atropa bella donna (Deadly Nightshaide) O berries
Colchicum (Meadow saffron) O
Convallaria majalis (Lily of the Valley) O
Daphne lauereoloa and mezereum O berries
Datura O
Dieffenbachia (house plant) sap is toxic but usually poisoning occurs when the
leaf is chewed. O
Digitalis (foxglove) O
Euonymus O attractive seedpods
Euphorbia O and probably D. Wear gloves when pruning.
Gaultheria mucronata (Pernettya) O Leaves, fruit and nectar are poisonous.
berries
Gloriosa superba (Glory Lily) O* tuber looks like a sweet potato
Helleborus O
Ipomoea (morning glory) O* Seed pods
Iris O I suppose I would be most concerned with foetidissima because of its
seed heads. Tubers are poisonous.
Laburnum O* Seed pods are the most worrisome potential for poisoning.
Lantana 0* berries are dangerous.
Lupinus (Lupin) O Seedpods are a risk. Large amounts may need to be eaten.
Nerium (Oleander) O* taste is bitter, and often causes vomiting.
Polygonatum (Solomon’s seal) O*
Prunus laurocerasus O All parts especially the seeds
Rhamus buckthorn O All parts. Berries
Ricinus communis (Castor Oil Plant) O* Highly toxic. This plant should not be
sold!
Solanum species (Nightshade) OAll parts, leave and unripe berries. Berries can
be fatal for children.
Taxus (Yew) O* All parts. Eating the seeds can be deadly!
Wisteria O. All parts especially the seeds and pods.
© by Herb Senft 2008