IEATPLANTS Living Laboratory: Toxic Plants
Agave
Scientific Name
Agave sp.
Family Name
Agavaceae
Toxic Principle
Sap from the leaves; Seeds; Calcium oxalate raphides; Acrid volatile oils; Mechanically injurious
Clinical Signs
Oral mucosa irritation; Contact urticaria; Skin: Immediate burning, erythema, urticaria, and edema; Granule
Aloe
Common Name
Aloe; Barbados Aloe; Torch Plant
Scientific Name
Aloe sp.
Family Name
Liliaceae
Toxic Principle
Homonatoloin; Aloin; Dried juice [latex]; Anthraquinones barbaloin; Anthraquinone or Anthracene glycosides
Clinical Signs
Vomiting; Diarrhea; Red urine; Skin irritation; Kidney inflammation
Asparagus Fern
Common Name
Sprengeri Fern; Lace Fern; Asparagus Fern
Scientific Name
Asparagus cetaceus
Family Name
Liliaceae
Toxic Principle
Non-toxic; Berries; Sapogenins; Foliage
Clinical Signs
Dermatitis; Irritant; Cardiac, sedative, and diuretic effects
Castor Bean
Common Name
Castor Bean; Castor; Castor Oil Plant; palma Christi; Wonder Tree; Higuerilla; Steadfast
Scientific Name
Ricinus communis
Family Name
Euphorbiaceae
Toxic Principle
Leaves; Seeds; Ricin; Ricinin
Clinical Signs
Decrease blood pressure; Hypothermia; Decrease in blood glucose; Increase in serum hepatic enzymes: AST, ALT, LDH; Increase in BUN, calcium, phosphorous; Upset Stomach; Vomitting; Abdominal Pain; Nausea; Diarrhea; Anorexia; Trembling; Weakness; Sudden Collapse; Seizures; Exercise intolerance; Ataxia; Slight depression; Copious thick, ropy salivation; Thirst
Catnip
Common Name
Catmint; Catnip
Scientific Name
Nepeta
Family Name
Labiateae
Toxic Principle
Volatile oil
Clinical Signs
Odd behavior; Drowsiness; Disorientation
Crown of Thorns
Common Name
Christ Plant; Christ Thorn; Crown of Thorns
Scientific Name
Euphorbia milli
Family Name
Euphorbiaceae
Toxic Principle
Miliamines; Terpenes; Diterpenes; Alkaloidal esters of diterpenoid ingenol; Stems: the juice, leaves, and thorns
Clinical Signs
Eye irritation; Vomiting; Skin irritation; Diarrhea; Irritation to gastrointestinal tract
Dumb Cane
Common Name
Dumb Plant; Dumb Cane; Mother-in-law’s Tongue Plant
Scientific Name
Dieffenbachia sp.
Family Name
Araceae
Toxic Principle
Histamine poisoning; All parts: Leaves, stems, sap; Proteolytic enzymes; Calcium oxalate crystals; Other toxins
Clinical Signs
Swelling of throat; Impairment of speech; Excessive salivation; Pain and swelling of mouth; Skin rashes
English Ivy
Common Name
English Ivy; Common Ivy; Ivy
Scientific Name
Hedera helix
Family Name
Araliaceae
Toxic Principle
Saponin called hederin and hederagenin; Saponins; Leaves; Berries; Pentacyclic terpenoids
Clinical Signs
Nausea; Vomiting; Diarrhea; Convulsions; Skin rashes
Fiddle-Leaf Philodendron
Common Name
Fiddle-leaf Philodendron; Tree Philodendron; Cut-leaf Philodenron
Scientific Name
Philodendron bipinnatifidum
(older name is P. Selloum)
Family Name
Araceae
Toxic Principle
Nephrotoxic; Entire Plant; Leaves; Oxalates; Calcium oxalate
Clinical Signs
Dermatitis; Excessive salivation; Red and swollen oral cavity; Pain, swelling, irritation to throat; Irritation and burning of mouth, lips, and tongue
Golden Pothos
Common Name
Devil’s Ivy ; Pothos; Golden Pothos
Scientific Name
Epipremnum aureum
Family Name
Araceae
Toxic Principle
Allergic reactions; Oxalic acid; Entire plant; Proteolytic enzymes; Calcium oxalate crystals
Clinical Signs
Vomiting; Diarrhea; Redness and swelling; Dermatitis; Itching and burning of lips, tongue, mouth, throat
Jade Plant
Common Name
Jade Tree; Dollar Plant; Jade Plant
Scientific Name
Crassula sp.
Family Name
Crassulaceae
Toxic Principle
Leaves
Clinical Signs
Digestive upset; Nausea
Kalanchoe
Common Name
Florist’s Kalanchoe; Kalanchoe; Palm Beach Belle
Scientific Name
Kalanchoe blossfeldiana
Family Name
Crassulaceae
Toxic Principle
Isoprene alkaloids; Cardiac glycosides; Cardiac bufadienolides; Bryotoxins; Non-toxic maybe
Clinical Signs
Labored respiration; Cardio-toxic effects; Excessive salivation; Digestive disturbance; Loss of interest in food and water
Oleander
Common Name
Oleander; ’OLIWA [Hawaii]; Rosa Laurel [Mexico]
Scientific Name
Nerium oleander
Family Name
Apocynaceae
Toxic Principle
Seeds; Vase water; Whole plant; Smoke from burning; Cardioactive glycosides
Clinical Signs
Diarrhea; Nausea; Vomiting; Slowing of heart-rate; Abnormal heart beat patterns
Peace Lilly
Common Name
Peace Lily; White Anthurium; Spathe Flower
Scientific Name
Spathiphyllum
Family Name
Araceae
Toxic Principle
Oxalic acid; Druses; Entire Plant; Raphides; Calcium oxalate crystals
Clinical Signs
Vomiting; Rashes; Redness and swelling; Irritation to digestive tract; Pain and burning of mouth, lips, tongue, and other oral surfaces
Pencil Tree Cactus
Common Name
Finger Tree; Milk Bush; Indian Tree Spurge
Scientific Name
Euphorbia tirucalli
Family Name
Euphorbiaceae
Toxic Principle
Latex sap, euphorbol terpenes; Esters; Diterpenes; Entire Plant
Clinical Signs
Dermatitis; Gastritis; Conjunctivitis; Burning; Irritation; Diarrhea
Peperomia
Common Name
Peperomia; Green-ripple Plant; Baby Rubber Plant
Scientific Name
Peperomia sp.
Family Name
Piperaceae
Toxic Principle
Leaves may be toxic; Low toxicity; Toxic alkaloids possible
Philodendron
Common Name
Sweetheart Plant; Heart-leaf Philodendron; Parlor Ivy
Scientific Name
Philodendron scadens
Family Name
Araceae
Toxic Principle
Nephrotoxic; Entire Plant; Leaves; Oxalates; Calcium oxalate
Clinical Signs
Dermatitis; Excessive salivation; Red and swollen oral cavity; Pain, swelling, irritation to throat; Irritation and burning of mouth, lips, and tongue
Prickly Pear
Common Name
Bunny Ears Cactus; Rabbit Ears Cactus
Scientific Name
Opuntia sp.
Family Name
Cactaceae
Toxic Principle
Thorns; Barbs which encircle each glochidium
Clinical Signs
Domed papules; Erythema; Keratoconjunctivitis; Dermatitis; Corneal erosion
Red Emerald
Common Name
Red Emerald
Scientific Name
Philodendron 'Red Emerald'
Family Name
Araceae
Toxic Principle
Irritant in leaves; Oxalic acid; Entire plant; Proteolytic enzymes; Calcium oxalate crystals
Clinical Signs
Redness and swelling; Vomiting; Diarrhea; Dermatitis; Itching and burning of lips, tongue, mouth, throat
Sago Palm
Common Name
Sago Palm; Sago Cycas; Japanese Sago Palm
Scientific Name
Cycas revoluta
Family Name
Cycadaceae
Toxic Principle
Seeds; Foliage; Neurotoxic agent [amino acid]; Glycosides; Cycasin a carcinogenic, hepatotoxic chemical
Clinical Signs
Diarrhea; Liver damage; Vomiting; Increase in water intake; Nervous system depressants, drowsiness, coma, muscle paralysis
Sanseveria
Common Name
Snake Plant; Good-Luck Plant; Mother-in-law’s Tongue
Scientific Name
Sanseveria sp.
Family Name
Agavaceae
Toxic Principle
Entire plant; Leaves; Organic acids; Flowers; Hemolytic saponins
Clinical Signs
Nausea; Vomiting; Destruction of red blood cells; Dermatitis; Irritation to mouth, throat, gastrointestinal tract
Schefflera
Common Name
Umbrella Tree; Starleaf; Australian Umbrella Tree
Scientific Name
Schefflera [a.k.a. Brassaia actinophylla]
Family Name
Araliaceae
Toxic Principle
Entire Plant; Saponins; Falcarinol; Calcium oxalate; Oxalic acid
Clinical Signs
Dermatitis; Vomiting; Leukopenia; Loss of coordination; Irritation of mouth, lips, tongue
Texas Mountain Laurel
Common Name
Coral Bean; Mescal Bean; Texas Mountain Laurel
Scientific Name
Sophora secundiflora
Family Name
Fabaceae
Toxic Principle
Cytisine; Seeds; Quinolizidine alkaloids; Entire plant; Alkaloids similar to nicotine
Clinical Signs
Diarrhea; Vomiting; Falling down; Nausea; Neurologic disorder
Varigated Ficus
Common Name
Variegated Ficus; Ficus; Variegated Weeping Fig
Scientific Name
Ficus benjamina ‘variegata’
Family Name
Moraceae
Toxic Principal
Non-toxic; Foliage; IgE mediated
Clinical Signs
Dermatitis; Asthma; Rhinitis; Conjunctivitis
Varigated Peperomia
Common Name
Baby Rubber Plant; Pepper Face; American Rubber Plant; Desert Privet
Scientific Name
Peperomia magnolialfolia variegata
Family Name
Piperaceae
Toxic Principal
Leaves; Alkaloids; Low toxicity - No known cases in humans, toxic to some animals; Non-Toxic
Wandering Jew
Common Name
Wandering Jew; Inch Plant; Variegated Wandering Jew
Scientific Name
Tradescantia
Family Name
Commelinaceae
Toxic Principle
Unidentified irritant; Non-toxic; Possibly oxalate crystals
Clinical Signs
Dermatitis
[Red/Green Wandering Jew: Wandering Jew (Red/Green); Commelinaceae; Nontoxic]
Weeping Ficus
Common Name
Weeping Fig; Benjamin Tree; Java Fig
Scientific Name
Ficus benjamina
Family Name
Movaceae
Toxic Principle
Non-toxic; Foliage; IgE mediated
Clinical Signs
Dermatitis; Asthma; Rhinitis; Itching of hands and arms; Conjunctivitis
Yucca
Common Name
Spineless Yucca; Soapweed; Spanish Bayonet
Scientific Name
Yucca sp.
Family Name
Agavaceae
Toxic Principle
Spines; Furostanols; Leaves; Saponins [steroidal]; Spirostanols – sarsasapogenin
Clinical Signs
Vomiting; Bloat; Diarrhea; Nausea; Mechanical damage
