Page 15 - The world of dangerous PLants

Family:Ericaceae
Kalmia is a genus of round 10 species of evergreen flowering
shrubs commonly known as Calico-bush or Mountain laurel. All plants
K. buxifolia K. latifolia in this genus have a medium to high toxicity level, particularly the
mountain laurel, sheep laurel, and swamp laurel, which are all ex-
tremely toxic. Symptoms of toxic poisoning, for both animals and hu-
mans, could result in difficulty breathing, cardiac arrest, choking, vom-
iting, paralysis, diarrhoea, coma, and death. Ingesting even the small-
est amount of some of these plants can be fatal. Due to their high toxic
K.polifolia K.procumbens
level, you should always wear gloves when handling them. Pets and
grazing animals such as cattle, sheep and horses are particularly vul-
nerable to the toxins in these plants. Every effort should be made to en-
sure they cannot get access to these plants and children should be
schooled in the danger they pose.

Family:Plumbaginaceae
Plumbago is a genus of 23 species of flowering herbaceous plants
P.auriculata P. indica and shrubs whose popular names plumbago and leadwort are shared
with the genus Ceratostigma. All plants of this genus have a low toxici-
ty level. Symptoms of toxic poisoning, for both humans and animals,
could be breathing difficulties, stomach upset and vomiting. Contact
with the skin, especially with the plants sap, roots and leaves can cause
skin irritation, blistering, and dermatitis. However, some plants like,
P.wissii P.arabica Plumbago wissii, are assumed non-toxic due to the lack of any credible
information. Even those plants like Cape leadwort are often said to be
non-toxic due to the mild nature of their toxicity. Nevertheless, you
should always treat any toxic plant with caution. School children on
the potential danger these plants pose, supervise pets closely and al-
ways wear gloves when handling them.

Family:Caryophyllaceae
Dianthus is a genus of numerous selected species of various
D.caryophyllus D.anatolicus flowering herbaceous perennial, annual and biennial plants, with com-
mon names such as Carnation, Common pink and Sweet william. All
plants of this genus have a low toxicity level. Symptoms of toxic poi-
soning, for humans and animals, can be mild stomach and intestine
discomfort and signs of distress, leading to vomiting. Contact with the
skin, in some people, can incite mild dermatitis and if the eyes are
D.broteri D.callizonus rubbed mild irritation and watering of the eyes. Leaves of some species
like the Clove Pink, Wild Carnation and Cheddar Pink are safely eaten
by humans for their strong peppery flavour. Although these plants are
not a particular threat to humans, they are toxic, so it’s advisable to
wear gloves when handling them and supervise children and pets
when in their vicinity.