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Common Poisonous Plants of Florida
Prevention:
Find out the names of your house and yard plants. Call the Poison Center at 1-800-222-1222 to see if your plants are toxic. Below is a partial list of common poisonous plants.
Recommended First Aid Steps:
- Remove all plant pieces from mouth.
- Rinse mouth and lips with cool water.
- Offer sips of water to drink.
- Wash hands with soap and water.
- Call the Poison Center immediately at 1-800-222-1222.
Additional Resources:
For more information about and photos of poisonous plants, please visit: http://gardeninglaunchpad.com/poisonous.html
| Plant Group [by poison type] |
Plant Common Name [click links for photos] |
Location |
Description and Symptoms |
| Oxalate |
Arrowhead, Dieffenbachia, Caladium, Philodendron, Peace Lily, Pothos |
These are mostly outdoor ornamental plants |
Contain oxalate crystals in their stems, roots and leaves. Needlelike crystals cause immediate pain, burning and irritation in the lips, mouth and throat. Can cause slurred speech. |
| Cardiac Glycoside |
Oleander, Lily of the Valley, Foxglove |
These are mostly outdoor ornamental plants |
All parts, especially oleander, are poisonous. Some skin irritation is possible through contact, most poisonings occur by eating or chewing the plant, or by breathing in smoke from burning plants. Symptoms include nausea, vomiting, stomach cramps, dizziness, low blood pressure, slow heart rate and seizures. |
| Toxalbumin, Ricin |
Castor Beans, Rosary Pea |
These are mostly outdoor ornamental plants |
Ingestion, specifically when chewed or split open, can cause severe symptoms, including vomiting, diarrhea, burning/corroding the esophagus, shock, multi-organ failure (liver, kidneys, respiratory failure) |
| Colchicine |
Glory Lily, Autumn crocus |
These are mostly outdoor ornamental plants |
Ingestion can cause severe symptoms, including vomiting, diarrhea, fever, shock, multi-organ failure (liver, kidneys, respiratory failure) |
| Triterpenoid |
Common Lantana, Chinaberry |
These are mostly outdoor ornamental plants |
All parts can be poisonous and can cause skin irritation. However, the berries are most poisonous and, if eaten, symptoms include vomiting, diarrhea, stomach cramps, fever, seizures and shallow or difficult breathing. |
| Gastro-Intestinal |
Croton, Poinsettia, American Holly |
These are mostly outdoor ornamental plants |
All parts can cause skin irritation and/or rash from milky sap inside. If eaten in quantity, symptoms include nausea and/or diarrhea. |
| Anti cholinergic |
Angel's Trumpet |
These are mostly outdoor ornamental plants |
When flowers, leaves or seeds are eaten or ingested as a brewed tea, symptoms include hallucinations, dry mouth, muscle weakness, increased blood pressure and pulse, fever, dilated pupils, paralysis. |
| Skin Irritant |
Poison Ivy, Brazilian Pepper |
These are mostly outdoor wild plants |
Poison Ivy, especially, causes acute symptoms in some people, including severe skin redness, itching, swelling, and blisters following direct or indirect contact. These plants are poisonous if swallowed or smoke from burning plant is inhaled. |
| Various |
Wild Mushrooms |
These are mostly outdoor wild plants |
Symptoms vary by species and range from none to severe gastrointestinal distress (nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, and abdominal pain), to hallucinations, acute renal failure, and death. |

Arrowhead |

Angel Trumpet |

Caladium |

Oleander |

Poison Ivy |

Poinsettia |

Glory Lily |

Rosary Pea |
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