Page 45 - The world of dangerous PLants

Family:Nyctaginaceae

M.Alipes M.Coccinea Mirabilis is a genus of numerous herbaceous plants known as
four-o'clocks. All plants of this genus are toxic, with the seeds and roots
highly toxic. They have a low to medium toxicity level. In humans toxic
poisoning can show as vomiting, diarrhoea, numbness, headache, diz-
ziness, tinnitus, while in pets, vomiting, diarrhoea, excessive drooling,
walking difficulty, tremors, and seizures. Most Mirabilis are not edible,
M.Jalapa M.longiflora but are used solely as ornamental garden plants. Only one species, Mi-
rabilis expansa is edible if properly prepared and cooked. Most of the
toxins found in these plants are used in traditional medicines as an
aphrodisiac, diuretic, purgative and to reduce inflammation. If you
have one in your care, treat it with caution; school children in the dan-
gers they pose, and keep your pet from eating and chewing them, and
always wear gloves when handling them, as the sap they excrete could
cause severe skin irritation.

family Santalaceae
Viscum is a genus of about 100 species of woody, obligate hem-
V.Album V.Capense
iparasitic shrubs known as mistletoe. All plants in this genus are toxic,
especially the leaves, stems, and berries, and have a medium to high
toxicity level. Symptoms of poisoning in humans are, stomach pain,
diarrhoea, and a weak pulse and if taken in a concentrated form,
death. Animals, such as cats and dogs, could suffer low blood pres-
sure, abnormal heart rate, collapse, vomiting, diarrhoea, abdominal
V.Cruciatum V.minimum
pain, drooling, and difficulty breathing. Kissing under the mistletoe is
a festive tradition carried out around the world. However, that little
cluster of leaves and berries can prove disastrous for anyone eating
them, especially young children or pets. Although, mistletoe is not tra-
ditionally a garden plant, if you bring it into your home keep it locked
away from children and your pets.

Family:Ranunculaceae
Aconitum, is a genus of numerous species of herbaceous perennial
flowering plants known as Monkshoods. All plants of this genus are highly
A.Anthora A.Degenii toxic, with their roots, seeds and preflowering leaves extremely dangerous.
They have a medium to high toxicity level. Symptoms of toxic poisoning for
both humans and animals could be, stomach pain, dizziness, nausea, vom-
iting, seizures, cardiac arrhythmias, muscle weakness, staggering gait, and
respiratory paralysis and death. When handling these plants the toxin will
A.Firmum A.henryi seep through the skin, so wearing gloves is a must. The poisons in these
plants have a long history. In the past it was used on the tips of spears and
arrow heads, and it’s known the Romans used the poison as an execution
tool. If you have one in your care, treat it with extreme caution. Tell chil-
dren of the danger they pose, but never allow them access to the plant.
Keep pets away from them and make sure they are never able to eat or
chew any part of them.