Page 33 - The world of dangerous PLants

Family: Gelsemiaceae
G.Egans
Gelsemium is a genus of 3 flowering plants one being the Evening trumpet-
flower and the others being, Heartbreak grass, and Rankin's trumpetflower. All
three plants are toxic with ‘Heartbreak glass’ being the most potent. They have a
G.Rankinii
medium to high toxicity level with the roots and leaves being highly toxic. For
some people, eating just a small amount could be fatal. Symptoms of toxic poison-
ing, for humans and animals, could be headaches, dizziness, difficulty swallowing,
breathing and muscle problems, slowing of the heart and seizures. Handling these
G.sempervirens plants is believed to be safe, however, although rare, the plants sap is thought to
cause skin irritation in people with sensitive skin. Think carefully about having
these plants around children and pets. If you do have one in your care, warn chil-
dren of the danger it poses. Keep pets away from it and when handling it, always
wear gloves.

Family: Fabaceae
T.Rhombifolia T.Californica Thermopsis is a genus of numerous species of herbaceous peren-
nial plants commonly known as False lupine. All plants of this genus are
toxic and have a low to medium toxicity level. Symptoms of toxic poi-
soning for animals and humans can be vomiting, dizziness and ab-
dominal pain, drowsiness, and nausea. Although reports of human poi-
sonings are not as common today as they ones were, a more common
problem are plants like T.Rhombifolia which are highly toxic to ani-
T.Montana T.macrophylla
mals, and if eaten by grazing livestock can cause them great distress.
Handling Thermopsis is said to be safe, however, when handling any
potentially harmful plant, you should always wear gloves.
(The False lupine should not be confused with its namesake the
True lupine of the genus Lupinus, which is highly toxic.)

Family: Moraceae

Ficus is a genus of numerous species of woody trees, shrubs, vines,
epiphytes and hemiepiphytes, popularly known as Fig trees. These trees
F.Abutilifolia F.Bahiensis are safe and nontoxic. Their fruit is edible, and they are safe to touch.
However, although their leaves are safe to touch and edible only when
cooked (eaten uncooked can cause dietary problems), if they are broken
or torn in the raw state, the light sensitive sap that seeps out can cause
mild irritation to the skin, and if expose to bright sunlight can cause se-
F.Callosa F.elastica vere and painful swelling and burns. Transferred to the eyes, through
touching or rubbing, the sap can cause eye irritation. Latex allergy suf-
ferers should avoid the sap, as contact will incite an allergic reaction.
Children should not be allowed to overindulge in the sweet fruit, as this
will cause stomach upset. Pets should never be allowed to eat or chew
the raw leaves, as this will cause bouts of severe vomiting or diarrhoea.