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IEATPLANTS Living Laboratory: Non-Toxic Plants

African Violet

African voilet plant image

Common Name

African Violet

Scientific Name

Saintpaulia ionantha

Family Name

Gesneriaceae

Toxic Principle

Non-toxic; Leaves; No specific toxin; Alkaloids

Clinical Signs

Mild allergic reactions

Bamboo

Bamboo plant image

Common Name

Belgian Evergreen; Dracaena; Dragon Tree

Scientific Name

Dracaena sp.

Family Name

Agavaceae

[Dracaena sanderana: Ribbon Plant, Belgian Evergreen; Alkaloidal content]

Barrel Cactus

Barrel cactus plant image

Common Name

Golden Barrel; Golden Ball; Mother-in-Law's Cushion

Scientific Name

Echinocactus grusonii

Family Name

Cactaceae

Toxic Principle

Non-toxic; Spine

Boston Fern

Boston fern plant image

Common Name

Fishbone Fern; Sword Fern; Boston Fern

Scientific Name

Nephrolepis

Family Name

Polypodiaceae

Toxic Principle

Non-toxic

Clinical Signs

Allergy; Wet leaves: prolonged contact with lesions that were pruritic, with erythema, vesicles, scaling, and periungual swelling.

Bougainvillea

Bougainvillea plant image

Common Name

Bougainvillea; Paper Flower; Four-O'clock

Scientific Name

Bougainvillea glabra

Family Name

Nyctaginaceae

Toxic Principle

Non-toxic; Spines

Clinical Signs

Injury to skin by spines

Bromeliad

Bromeliad plant image

Common Name

Bromeliad; Silver Vase

Scientific Name

Aechmea fasciata

Family Name

Bromeliaceae

Toxic Principle

Non-toxic

Christmas Cactus

Christmas cactus plant image

Common Name

Christmas Cactus; Claw Cactus; Thanksgiving Cactus

Scientific Name

Zygocactus truncates

Family Name

Cactaceae

Toxic Principle

Non-toxic

Corn Plant

Corn plant image

Common Name

Dracaena; Corn Plant; Dragon Tree

Scientific Name

Draceaca sp.

Family Name

Agavaceae

Toxic Principle

Non-toxic; Possible alkaloidal content

Clinical Signs

Stomach-ache

Euphorbia decaryi

Euphorbia decaryi plant image

Common Name

Euphorbia decaryi

Scientific Name

Euphorbia decaryi

Family Name

Euphorbiaceae

Hibiscus

Hibiscus plant image

Common Name

Hibiscus; Chinese Hibiscus

Scientific Name

Hibiscus rosa-sinensis

Family Name

Malcaveae

Toxic Principle

Non-toxic

Hoya

Hoya plant image

Common Name

Wax Plant; Honey Plant; Wax Flower

Scientific Name

Hoya bella

Family Name

Asclepiadaceae

Toxic Principle

Non-toxic

Clinical Signs

Skin rash caused by allergens

Lipstick Plant

Lipstick plant image

Common Name

Lipstick Plant; Lipstick Vine; Basket Vine

Scientific Name

Aeschynanthus lobbianus

Family Name

Gesneriaceae

Toxic Principle

Non-toxic

Majesty Palm

Majesty palm plant image

Common Name

Majesty Palm

Scientific Name

Ravenea rivularis

Family Name

Arecaceae

Toxic Principle

Non-toxic

Nerve Plant

Nerve plant image

Common Name

Nerve Plant; Mosaic Plant; Silver Net Leaf

Scientific Name

Fittonia

Family Name

Acanthaceae

Toxic Principle

Non-toxic

Norfolk Island Pine

Norfolk Island pine plant image

Common Name

Norfolk Island Pine

Scientific Name

Araucaria heterophylla

Family Name

Araucariaceae

Toxic Principle

Non-toxic

Orchid

Orchid plant image

Common Name

Dendrobium

Scientific Name

Dendrobium nobile

Family Name

Orchidaceae

Toxic Principle

Non-toxic

Purple Passion

Purple passion plant image

Common Name

Purple Passion Vine; Velvet Plant

Scientific Name

Gynura sarmentosa; Gyruna aurantiaca

Family Name

Asteraceae; Compositea

Toxic Principle

Non-toxic

Spider Plant

Spider plant image

Common Name

Ribbon Plant; Airplane Plant; Spider Plant

Scientific Name

Chlorophytum comosum

Family Name

Liliaceae

Toxic Principle

Non-toxic

Swedish Ivy

Swedish ivy plant image

Common Name

Swedish Ivy; Prostrate Coleus; Spur Flower

Scientific Name

Plectranthus sp

Family Name

Labiataea

Toxic Principle

Non-toxic

Table Fern

Table fern plant image

Common Name

Table Fern; Brake Fern; Cretan Brake

Scientific Name

Pteris

Family Name

Polypodiaceae

Toxic Principle

Low to no toxicity