CASTOR BEAN (Ricinus communis) SOME PLANT SAFETY TIPS Annual bush
1. IDENTIFY 3. KEEP 5. NEVER all plants in and around your home. It houseplants, seeds and bulbs out of eat wild mushrooms. Some poisonous is best to know the botanical name of reach of children and pets. mushrooms look like mushrooms that POISON HEMLOCK (Conium maculatum) the plant. Your local landscape or are safe to eat. AUTUMN CROCUS Plants:Plants: AA GuideGuide forfor PoisonPoison PreventionPrevention Biennial, herbaceous (Colchicum autumnale) plant garden centre can help. 4. TEACH Cultivated flowering perrenial children never to put leaves, flowers, 6. REMEMBER Each year the IWK Regional Poison Centre receives 2. LABEL seeds, nuts or berries in their mouth that any plant can cause choking or an over 500 calls concerning exposure to plants. While the each plant in your home with its without checking with an adult first. unexpected reaction in some people. If majority of these cases do not result in symptoms, a few botanical name. Placing the name on a a reaction occurs, call 911. plants do cause problems. Many of the more severe cases piece of tape and attaching it to the involve young children. bottom of the pot works well. Remember to use water-proof ink! This brochure was developed to help you prevent What about poisonings as a result of exposures to plants. Common house and garden plants are listed according to their plant care products? toxicity as non-poisonous, mildly poisonous or very Sometimes plants, flowers and lawns are poisonous. treated with pesticides (insecticides and YEW (Taxus Species) herbicides). These products may contain Evergreen shrub Plants in this guide are listed by both common name chemicals that can be harmful. Children (in bold) and botanical name (in italics and brackets). The should be kept off of freshly sprayed grass botanical name does not change from region to region, MONKSHOOD and away from freshly treated plants. but the common name sometimes does. For example, (Aconitum napellus) As with all potentially poisonous what you call Angel’s Trumpet, your neighbour might Tall perrenial herb products, pesticides should be kept in their call Jimson Weed. Both are Datura stramonium. Sometimes original containers and stored in a locked two different plants have the same common name. For area out of reach of children. example, the common name Jade Plant may refer to Crassula argentea in some parts of Canada but to Portulacaria Afra in others.
Protect your pets, too! On the back page of this brochure there is a list of safety Our pets need protection just like our tips you can use to make your home and yard more children. Plants and pesticides, as well as poison safe. other poisons can cause problems for animals. Remember to keep your pets out This guide contains only partial listings of poisonous and non- of harm’s way, and poisons out of pet’s way. poisonous plants. If you have questions about plants not in this guide, or about any poisoning, call the IWK Regional Poison Centre at 1-800-565-8161 (toll-free in Nova Scotia and PEI) or 470-8161 (HRM). FOXGLOVE WOODY (Digitalis Purpurea) NIGHTSHADE Erect biennial herb Acknowledgements References In a Poisoning Emergency, CALL 911. You will be connected directly (Solanum dulcamara) For more information to the Poison Centre and will be able to speak to one of our nurses, Perennial shrubby The IWK Regional Poison Centre thanks: Toll, LL & Hurlburt, KM (Eds): POISONDEX® System. climber Marian Munro, Asst. Curator of Botany, MICROMEDEX, Greenwood Village, Colorado (Edition pharmacists or doctors. about plants, visit: LILY-OF-THE-VALLEY NS Museum of Natural History, Halifax, NS expires 12/2002). (Convallaria Species) Nova Scotia Museum of Natural History Our corporate sponsor, Emera Inc., for their financial Flowering herbaceous We are staffed 24 hours a day, everyday, to help you. support. http://museum.gov.ns.ca/poison/pplant2.htm perrenial Design: ArtWorks Illustration: (children) Dawn Boylan
PARTNERS IN POISON PREVENTION IWK Health Centre IWK Regional Poison Centre 5850/5980 University Avenue Member, Canadian Association Regional Poison Control Centres PO Box 3070, Halifax, Nova Scotia Member, American Association Regional Poison Control Centers POISON IVY JIMSON WEED B3J 3G9 Canada IN AN EMERGENCY CALL 911 (Toxicodendron radicans) (Datura stramonium) Large annual herb Non-Emergency (HRM): 470-8161 Woody shrub or vine Toll-free in NS and PEI: 1-800-565-8161 MUSHROOM (Amanita species) non-toxicCOMMON NON-POISONOUS PLANTS mildlyCOMMON MILDLY POISONOUS toxic PLANTS veryCOMMON VERY POISONOUStoxic PLANTS
The following plants are generally considered to be safe The following plants are generally thought to produce only minor symptoms It is very rare for plants to cause life-threatening symptoms. or non-poisonous. It is important to remember, though, such as stomach upset, mouth and throat pain or skin rash. If large quantities But it does happen. The following plants are considered very that children can choke on any plant. are swallowed, or if a person frequently takes smaller amounts of the plant, poisonous. Eating even a small amount may lead to serious This is not a complete list. more serious symptoms could develop. Some people are more sensitive to the symptoms. If enough is ingested, life-threatening effects could toxic effects of plants than are others. develop. Always CALL 911 even if you just suspect one of these This is not a complete list. plants has been ingested. This is not a complete list.
COMMON NAME BOTANICAL NAME TYPE COMMON NAME BOTANICAL NAME TYPE COMMON NAME BOTANICAL NAME TYPE COMMON NAME BOTANICAL NAME TYPE COMMON NAME BOTANICAL NAME TYPE COMMON NAME BOTANICAL NAME TYPE African violet (Saintpaulia ionantha) H & ORN Ice plant (Cyrophytum crystallinum) ORN Alfalfa (Medicago sativa) CROP Hyacinth (Hyancinthus orientalis) ORN Alder buckthorn (Rhamnus frangula) N Groundsels (Senecio species) N African daisy (Gerbera jamesonii) ORN Impatiens (Impatiens species) ORN Aloe Vera (Aloe variegata) H Hydrangea (Hydrangea macrophylla) ORN Angel’s trumpet/Jimson Weed (Datura stramonium) N Dogbane (Apocynon species) N Aluminum plant (Pilea cadierei) ORN Jade plant (Crassula argentea) ORN Alsike clover (Trifolium hybridum) CROP English oak (Quercus robur) N & ORN Astragalus (Astragalus species) N & ORN Jequirity bean (Abrus precatorius) imported decorative bead Aralia, false (Dizygotheca elegantissima) ORN Lace plant (Polygonum aubertii) ORN Amaryllis (Amaryllis species) H Iris (Iris species) N & ORN Autumn crocus (Colchicum autumnale) ORN Lantana (Lantana camara) H & ORN Aspidistra (Aspideistra species) ORN Lace plant (Trachymene caerulea) ORN Asparagus fern (A. plumosus, A. asparagoides) H Ivy (Hedera Helix) H & ORN Black henbane (Hyoscyamus niger) N Laurel (Kalmia species) N & ORN Aster (Callistephus chinensis) ORN Lilac (Syringa species) N & ORN Baneberry (Actaea species) N Jack-in-the-Pulpit (Arisaema triphyllum) N Blueweed (Echium vulgare) N Lily-of-the-valley (Convallaria species) N & ORN Aster (Aster species) N & ORN Lily, Easter (Lilium longiflorum) ORN Black walnut (Juglans nigra) ORN Jerusalem cherry (Solanum pseudocapsicum) ORN Calico bush (Kalmia latifolia) N & ORN Milkweeds (Asclepias species) N & ORN Baby’s tears (Helxine soleirolii) ORN Lipstick plant (Aeschynanthus lobbianus) ORN Black-Eyed Susan (Rudbeckia hirta) ORN Kaffir lily (Clivia miniata) ORN Canadian milk-vetch (Astragalus canadensis) N & ORN Monkshood (Aconitum napellus) ORN Bead plant (Nertera granadensis) ORN Magnolia (Magnolia acuminata) ORN Black locust (Robinia pseudoacacia) N Lady’s slipper (Cypripedium species) N Castor bean (Ricinus communis) ORN Mushrooms (3000+ species in NS and only around twelve are safe) Begonia (Begonia species) ORN Monkey plant (Nimulus species) N & ORN Black cherry (Prunus serotina) N Lamb’s Ears (Stachys byzantina) N Corn poppy (Papaver rhoeas) ORN Northern water-hemlock (Cicuta species) N Bird’s nest fern (Asplenium serratum) ORN Mountain ash (Sorbus) N Bloodroot (Sanguinaria canadensis) N Larkspur (Delphinium species) ORN Cowbane (Cicuta maculata) N Poison hemlock (Conium maculatum) N Boston fern (Nephrolepis exalta) ORN Nasturtium (Tropaeolum majus) ORN Blue cohosh (Caulophyllum thalictroides) N Lupine (Lupinus species) N & ORN Daphne (Daphne species) N & ORN Precatory pea (Abrus precatorius) imported as jewelry Camelia (Camelina sativa) ORN Norfolk Island Pine (Araucaria heterophylla) ORN Bracken fern (Pteridium aquilinum) N Marsh Marigold (Caltha palustris) N & ORN Yew (Taxus species) N & ORN Siberian scilla (Scilla siberica) ORN Caragana (Caragania arborescens) ORN Palm, Bigleaf (Fatsia japonica) H Broad bean (Vicia faba) CROP Marsh arrowgrass (Triglochin palustris) N False helleborne (Veratrum californicum) ORN Tobacco (ornamental) (Nicotiana tabacum) CROP Chinese evergreen (Aglaonema modestum) ORN Peperomia (Peperomia argyreia) ORN Buckthorns (Rhamnus species) N Miniature orange tree (Citrus mitis) H Foxglove (Digitalis purpurea) ORN Water hemlock (Genus cicuta) N Christmas cactus (Zygocactus truncatus) H & ORN Petunia (Petunia) ORN Buck-Wheat (Fagopyrum esculentum) N & CROP Mistletoe, American (Phoradendron flavescens) H Glory lily (Gloriosa) ORN Coleus (Coleus amboinicus) ORN Piggyback plant (Tolmiea menziesii) ORN Burning bush (Euonymus atropurpurea) ORN Morning glory (Ipomoea species) ORN Corn plant (Dracaena fragrans) ORN Poinsettia (Euphorbia pulcherrima) H Buttercup (Ranunculus species) N Motherwort (Leonarus cardiaca) N Creeping Jenny (Lysimachia nummularia) ORN Pony Tail plant (Beaucarnea recurvata) ORN Calla Lily (Zantedeschia species) N & H Nettles (Urtica species) N Creeping Charlie (Glechoma hederacea) ORN Prayer plant (Maranta leuconeura) ORN Cardinal flower (Lobelia cardinalis) ORN Nightshade (deadly, woody) (Solanum dulcamara) N Dahlia (Dahlia species) ORN Purple passion vine (Gynura aurantiaca) ORN Carnation (Dianthus caryophyllus) ORN Pencil tree (Euphobia tirucalli) H Dandelion (Taraxacum officinale) N Rubber plant (Ficus elastica) ORN Century plant (Agave americana) H Poison ivy (Toxicodendron radicans) N Call 911 Dracaena (Dracaena marginata) ORN Saskatoon berry (Amelanchier species) N Chinese lantern (Abutilon hybridum) ORN Poppy, Common (Papaver species) ORN Dragon tree (Dracaena draco) ORN Sensitive plant (Mimosa pudica) ORN Chrysanthemum (Chrysanthemum species) N & ORN Primrose (Primula species) ORN & H What to do i n Case of a Poisoning Dusty miller (Senecio cineraria) ORN Silver dollar (lunaria annua) ORN Common Hops (Humulus lupulus) N & CROP Red Berried Elder (Sambucus pubens) N When a child puts part of any plant in his/her mouth the immediate Eugenia (Eugenia aggregata) ORN Snapdragon (Antirrhinum majus) ORN Common comfrey (Symphytum officinale) N Red maple (Acer rubrum) N concern is choking. Make sure all visible plant material is removed Flaming sword (Vriesea splendens) ORN Snowball bush (Viburnum) ORN Common Groundsel (Senecio vulgaris) N Red clover (Trifolium pratense) N & CROP from his/her mouth. Then Call 911. They will connect you immediately Fluffy ruffles fern (Nephrolepis exalta) ORN Spider plant (Chlorophytum comosum) ORN Croton (Codiaeum species) H Red oak (Quercus rubra) N to the IWK Regional Poison Centre. Forget me not (Myosotis) ORN Spirea (Spirea) N & ORN Crown-of-Thorns (Euphorbia millii) H Reed canary grass (Phalaris species) N & ORN Fuchsia (Fuchsia species) ORN Split leaf Philodendron (Monstera deliciosa) ORN &H Cyclamen (Cyclamen) H Rhododendron Arborescens (Rhododendron arborescens) N & ORN Gardenia (Gardgenia jasminoides) ORN Staghorn fern (Platyceruim bifurcatum) ORN Daffodil (Narcissus) ORN Rhubarb (Genus rheum) CROP Here at the Poison Centre we will ask you Geranium (Pelargonium species) ORN Sunflower (Helianthus annuus) ORN Delphinium (Delphinium) ORN Sneezeweed (Helenium flexosum) ORN questions to help identify the plant and the Gloxinia (Sinningia speciosa) ORN Swedish ivy (Plectranthus australis) ORN Dieffenbachia (Dieffenbachia species) H Snowdrop (Galanthus nivalis) ORN amount taken. Together we will determine Grape ivy (Cissus rhombifolia) ORN Sword fern (Nephrolepis exalta) ORN Dogwood (Cornus species) N & ORN St. John’s Wort (Hypericum species) N & ORN Hawthorn (Crataegus species) N & ORN Umbrella tree (Brassaia actinophylla) ORN Dutchman’s breeches (Dicentra cucullaria) N & ORN Star of Bethlehem (Orniphogalum umbellatum) ORN if the patient needs to be treated. Hens and Chickens fern (Echeveria agavoides) ORN Urn plant (Aechmea fasciata) ORN Elephant’s ear (Caladium species) H Tansy (Chrysanthemum vulgare) N Hibiscus (Hibiscus sabradiffa) ORN Wandering Jew (Tradescantia species) ORN Eucalyptus (Eucalyptus species) H Tulip (Tupila species) ORN If you have any questions about possibly poisonous Hollyhock (Althaea rosea) ORN Wax plant (Hoya carnosa) ORN Garden sorrel (Rumex acetosa) N Goldenrods (Solidago species) N & ORN plants, whether listed here or not, please call the Honeysuckle (Lonicera species) N &ORN Yucca (Yucca elata) ORN Hogweed (Heracleum sphondylium) N Virginia creeper (Parthenocissus quinquefolia) N & ORN IWK Regional Poison Centre at 1-800-565-8161 Hoya (Hoya naumanii) ORN Zebra plant (Cryptanthus zonatus) ORN Celandine, Lesser (Chelidonium majus) N & ORN White clover (Trifolium repens) N & CROP (toll-free in NS and PEI) or 470-8161 (HRM). Ice plant (Aptenia cordifolia) ORN Ground cherry (Physalis) ORN Wild cabbage (Brassica oleracea) N & CROP Holly (Ilex species) N & ORN Wild parsnip (Pastinaca species) N Horse chestnut (Aesculus hippocastanum) N & ORN Wisteria (Wisteria floribunda) ORN ORN = ornamental plant; H = house plant; CROP = food crop; N = native to Nova Scotia or naturalized. Hounds tongue (Cynoglossum amabile) N & ORN Yellow rocket (Barbarea vulgaris) N Note: Common names of plants may vary by geographic location.