Page 23 - The world of dangerous PLants

Family:Fabaceae

Laburnum,is a genus of two species of small deciduous trees or shrubs
known as Common laburnum (L.anagyroides) and Scottish or Alpine laburnum
(L.alpinum) All parts of these trees are toxic and have a medium to high toxici-
ty level. Symptoms of toxic poisoning, for both humans and animals, can be
nausea, vomiting, frothing at the mouth, convulsions, and in extreme cases, if
enough is consumed, even death. The seeds are particularly toxic, eating as few
as 15 of the ripe pea-like seeds can be fatal. Symptoms will show very quickly;
within 1 to 2 hours after ingestion. Although considered safe to touch, you
should always wear gloves when dealing with toxic plants; and these 2 plants
are very toxic. Children should be warned of the danger and prevented from
climbing or playing around them. Pets should be supervised around these
plants and discourage from eating, chewing and scratching any part of them.

Family:Apocynaceae
Asclepias is a genus of numerous and selected species of herba-
A.amplexicaulis A.cordifolia ceous perennial flowering plants known as Common milkweeds. All
parts of these plants are toxic and have a toxic level from low to medi-
um. Symptoms of toxic poisoning for both animals and humans, can
be nausea, diarrhoea, confusion, seizures, and respiratory paralysis,
and if eaten in large amounts, death. Skin contact with the plants sap
can cause skin irritation and severe blistering, so always wear gloves
A.curassavica A.erosa when handling them. The most toxic of the species are believed to be
A.labriformis, A.subverticillata, and A.fascicularis. Some claim you
can cook and eat milkweed, however, this is strongly refuted by some
who insist it’s unsafe to eat them. Eating even the smallest amounts is
enough to trigger poisoning. Children should be schooled in the dan-
ger these plants pose. All animals are particularly vulnerable to the
toxins in these plants, so keep pets away from them.

Family:Primulaceae
Primula is a genus of numerous and selected species of her-
P.algida P.amethystina
baceous flowering plants, the most popular of this genus being the
Common primrose (P. vulgaris). All toxic plants of this genus have
a low toxicity level. (Not all plants are toxic, some like, P.vulgaris
are edible, others like, P.obconica are toxic.) Symptoms of toxic
poisoning, for humans and animals, can be abdominal pain, stom-
ach upset, eye irritation, vomiting and diarrhoea, and nausea. Also,
P.angustifolia P.aureata touching some of these plants can cause skin irritation and, in
some people contact dermatitis. Primula is a huge, varied and com-
plex genus and many plants are possibly untested. If you are un-
sure of the plant in your care, you should always research it using
its scientific name. Other than that, you should treat it with cau-
tion, and take the appropriate action to safeguard any children or
pets, and always wear gloves when handling it.