Page 8 - The world of dangerous PLants

Fanily:Phytolaccaceae

P. americana
Phytolacca is a genus of about 35 species of flowering deciduous or ev-
ergreen perennial herbs, shrubs, or trees, commonly known as American poke-
weed. All plants in this genus are highly toxic and have a medium to high tox-
icity level. Symptoms of poisoning, for humans and animals, can be severe gas-
troenteritis with cramping, diarrhoea, convulsions, seizures and even death.
Contact with the skin can cause rashes and painful blistering and also allow
P. dodecandra toxins into the blood stream. Cooking, some say, the berries and leaves to re-
move the toxins by clean boiling them several times makes them edible. This
has never been scientifically proven or recommended. So you should never eat
any part of these plants, especially the roots. Children are very vulnerable to
these plants, especially the berries, and should be rigorously schooled in the
danger they pose. Pets should be prevented from having any access to them
and always wear gloves when handling them.

Family:Solanaceae
B.suaveolens B. insignis
Brugmansia is a genus of seven species of flowering
woody trees or shrubs commonly known as Angels trumpet.
All seven plants in this genus are listed as among the most
toxic of ornamental plants and have a medium to high toxici-
ty level. Symptoms of toxic poisoning, for both humans and
animals, could be intense thirst, difficulty with speech and
swallowing, vomiting and diarrhoea, fever, confusion, sei-
B. sanguinea B. vulcanicola zures, and in extreme circumstances death. Even the sap of
these plants can burn and cause irritation to the skin and
eyes. Children should be warned of the dangers these plants
pose and pets should be actively discouraged from chewing
or eating any part of them. Always wear gloves when han-
dling them and if you suspect toxic poisoning you should
seek medical help.

Family:Araceae

S. angustatum
Syngonium. is a genus of numerous species of flowering woody vines,
commonly known as Arrowhead vine or plant. All plants in this genus are toxic
and have a low to medium toxicity level. Symptoms of toxic poisoning, for both
humans and animals, could be, burning in the mouth, irritation, swelling, diffi-
culty swallowing, inflammation, vomiting, diarrhoea, and abdominal pain. Con-
tact with the skin could result in itching, burning, severe blistering, and inflam-
S. yurimaguense mation. Rubbing your eyes with traces of sap on your fingers could result in
painful eye irritation. Arrowhead plants are native to the warm South American
rainforest where they grow in the wild. In more temperate climates however,
they tend to be kept as houseplants. If you have one of these in your home you
should keep it at a high elevation out of the reach of children and pets or in a
restricted area where they cannot access it and always remember to wear gloves
when handling it.