Page 72 - The world of dangerous PLants

Family:Rubiaceae
P.Capensis P.Carthagenensis Psychotria is a genus of numerous species of flowering shrubs or
small trees many bearing the name Wild Coffee. Most plants of this ge-
nus, which includes all the named Wild coffee plants, are toxic and
have a low to medium toxicity level. Symptoms of toxic poisoning, in
both humans and animals can be a rash around the gum, lips, tongue,
and nose, nausea, vomiting and depression. Skin contact with the sap
of some of these plants can cause irritation and contact dermatitis.
P.Dallachiana P.Loniceroides
Many Psychotria have a history of being used in drinks and brews, like
Chacruna (P.viridis), used as an additive in a South American brew,
while the beans of Wild Coffee (P.nervosa), have supposedly been used
as a drink substitute for coffee. Keep in mind the Wild coffee plants are
not true coffee plants like those in the genus Coffea. Wild coffee beans,
contain no caffeine, and just look like true coffee beans.

Family:Aristolochiaceae

Asarum is a genus of numerous species of low-growing herbs with
A.Asperum A.Canadense small brown or reddish flowers, commonly known as Wild Ginger. Most
plants in this genus are toxic, with the leaves, roots, and stems being the
most poisonous. They have a medium to high toxicity level. Symptoms of
toxic poisoning, in both humans and animals, are nausea, vomiting, diar-
rhoea, abdominal pain, dizziness, confusion and kidney damage and
eventual failure. Skin contact can lead to severe skin irritation and the
A.Caudatum A.Europaeum toxins leaching into the bloodstream. Some species like A.europaeum,
have a history of having their toxins neutralized by drying, and the plant
crushed and used as a spice or flavouring, even snuff. However, the tox-
ins in these plants are dangerous and unforgiving, so never eat any part
of them, no matter what, unless you first seek expert advice. Keep chil-
dren and pets away from these plants and always wear gloves when han-
dling them.

Family:Orchidaceae
C.Acaule C.Guttatum
Cypripedium is a genus of 58 species of hardy orchids. All
plants of this genus are toxic and have a low to medium toxicity level,
though some like, Yellow lady's slipper, if eaten, are reportedly non-
toxic to humans. Symptoms of poisoning, for both humans and ani-
mals, can be nausea, severe stomach upset, vomiting and diarrhoea.
Skin contact with the plants glandular hairs can cause a severe rash
C.Candidum C.Henryi and some plants contain a toxin that can cause dermatitis. Cypripe-
dium has a history in traditional medicines which were used to alle-
viate, toothaches, headaches, anxiety, sleeplessness and kidney dis-
orders. However some people are known to have an allergic reaction
to some of the toxins in these plants especially the Yellow lady's slip-
per.So caution should be exercised when dealing with any plant from
this genus.