Poisonous PlantsPoisonous Plants

S. David Baker, R.Ph., CSPIS. David Baker, R.Ph., CSPI

Central Texas Poison Control CenterCentral Texas Poison Control Center

Scott & White Memorial HospitalScott & White Memorial Hospital

Oxalate Containing PlantsOxalate Containing Plants

RhubarbRhubarb DieffenbachiaDieffenbachia CaladiumCaladium PhilodendronPhilodendron OxalisOxalis Calla LilyCalla Lily Jack-in-the-pulpitJack-in-the-pulpit OthersOthers

RhubarbRhubarb

DieffenbachiaDieffenbachia

DieffenbachiaDieffenbachia

PhilodendronPhilodendron

Jack-in-the-pulpitJack-in-the-pulpit

OxalateOxalate

Needle like crystalsNeedle like crystals Edema of mouth, tongue, and throatEdema of mouth, tongue, and throat Ingestion of larger quantities can lead to Ingestion of larger quantities can lead to

multi-organ damage. Renal, Hepatic, multi-organ damage. Renal, Hepatic, Myocardial, Brain, and GIMyocardial, Brain, and GI

Cardiac Glycoside PlantsCardiac Glycoside Plants

OleanderOleander Lily of the ValleyLily of the Valley FoxgloveFoxglove

OleanderOleander

OleanderOleander

Lily of the ValleyLily of the Valley

FoxgloveFoxglove

Cardiac Glycoside PlantsCardiac Glycoside Plants

Just like DigoxinJust like Digoxin Bradycardia with AV blockBradycardia with AV block HypotensionHypotension LethargyLethargy DizzinessDizziness GI upsetGI upset

Solanine containing PlantsSolanine containing Plants

PotatoPotato Black NightshadeBlack Nightshade Jerusalem CherryJerusalem Cherry

PotatoPotato

Black NightshadeBlack Nightshade

Jerusalem CherryJerusalem Cherry

SolanineSolanine

N / V / D, headacheN / V / D, headache DrowsinessDrowsiness ComaComa Onset - 2 - 24 hoursOnset - 2 - 24 hours Duration - up to 3 daysDuration - up to 3 days Plants can also be anticholinergicsPlants can also be anticholinergics

Anticholinergic PlantsAnticholinergic Plants

BelladonaBelladona DaturaDatura

– Angel’s TrumpetAngel’s Trumpet– Jimson weedJimson weed– Thorn AppleThorn Apple

HenbaneHenbane

BelladonnaBelladonna

Jimson WeedJimson Weed

Jimson WeedJimson Weed

Jimson Weed SeedsJimson Weed Seeds

HenbaneHenbane

AnticholinergicsAnticholinergics

Hyperthermia, flushingHyperthermia, flushing Dry mucus membranesDry mucus membranes MydriasisMydriasis TachycardiaTachycardia Decreased GI motilityDecreased GI motility Urinary retentionUrinary retention Delirium, hallucinations, CNS depressionDelirium, hallucinations, CNS depression

Cyanogenic GlycosidesCyanogenic Glycosides

AlmondAlmond PeachPeach PlumPlum CherryCherry AppleApple CloverClover OthersOthers

Cyanogenic Cyanogenic

Cyanogenic GlycosidesCyanogenic Glycosides

Usually only a problem if you make a Usually only a problem if you make a meal out of themmeal out of them

1 - 2 seeds are not a problem1 - 2 seeds are not a problem Enzymatic breakdown in GI leads to Enzymatic breakdown in GI leads to

toxicitytoxicity Onset 30 minutes to 2 hoursOnset 30 minutes to 2 hours Respiratory distress, syncope, coma, Respiratory distress, syncope, coma,

seizures follow GI symptoms.seizures follow GI symptoms.

Other PlantsOther Plants

Castor BeansCastor Beans Rosary BeansRosary Beans PoinsettaPoinsetta GanjaGanja LantanaLantana NicotianaNicotiana Poison IvyPoison Ivy

Castor Bean PlantCastor Bean Plant

Castor BeansCastor Beans

Rosary beanRosary bean

Castor Bean ToxicityCastor Bean ToxicityRosary Bean ToxicityRosary Bean Toxicity

Beans are very hard and only toxic if Beans are very hard and only toxic if chewedchewed

GI effects within 6 hours, cause gastric GI effects within 6 hours, cause gastric lesions, looks like alkaline burnslesions, looks like alkaline burns

2 - 5 days after exposure - cytotoxic 2 - 5 days after exposure - cytotoxic effects - Liver, Kidney, Braineffects - Liver, Kidney, Brain

PoinsettiaPoinsettia

PoinsettiaPoinsettia

Causes severe stomach irritationCauses severe stomach irritation Lots of Nausea and VomitingLots of Nausea and Vomiting Not considered toxicNot considered toxic Dehydration Dehydration Electrolyte imbalancesElectrolyte imbalances

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LantanaLantana

LantanaLantana

Unripe berries are the most toxicUnripe berries are the most toxic Lantadene - atropine like substanceLantadene - atropine like substance Anticholinergic poisoningAnticholinergic poisoning

Nicotiana tabacumNicotiana tabacum

NicotineNicotine

GI upset - N / VGI upset - N / V Onset in 15 - 60 minutesOnset in 15 - 60 minutes Duration 3 - 12 hoursDuration 3 - 12 hours Increase in heart rate and blood Increase in heart rate and blood

pressure then irregular pulse and pressure then irregular pulse and hypotensionhypotension

Tremors and seizuresTremors and seizures

Poison IvyPoison Ivy

Other plantsOther plants

Water HemlockWater Hemlock Poke WeedPoke Weed

Water HemlockWater Hemlock

Water HemlockWater Hemlock

MydriasisMydriasis TachycardiaTachycardia Seizures - Onset 5 minutes to 2 hoursSeizures - Onset 5 minutes to 2 hours Salivation, gastritis, diarrhea, emesisSalivation, gastritis, diarrhea, emesis Rhabdomyolysis, and renal failureRhabdomyolysis, and renal failure Metabolic acidosisMetabolic acidosis Strychnine like substanceStrychnine like substance

Poke WeedPoke Weed

Poke weedPoke weed

Mostly GI effectsMostly GI effects Onset 30 minutes to 5 hoursOnset 30 minutes to 5 hours Duration - 1 to 48 hoursDuration - 1 to 48 hours HeadacheHeadache WeaknessWeakness SeizuresSeizures ComaComa