Posts Tagged with gastrointestinal distress

Rhododendron
Published

Rhododendron

rhododendron blooms

Common name: Rhododendron

Scientific name: Rhododendron spp., plus many cultivars

Hazard associated: All parts are poisonous if ingested.

Notes: rhododendron bushes

  • Commonly planted in gardens for its showy blooms which range from white through pinks to deep reddish hues.
  • Azaleas are closely related to rhododendrons and are also toxic if ingested.
  • While Rhododendrons have been used for making tea and in traditional medicine, there is no safety guidelines as toxicity varies across/within species and localities.
  • The compounds primarily responsible for these plants’ toxicity are called grayanotoxins. Other problematic compouns include tannins.
  • People have reportedly died from eating honey from bees feeding on rhododendron nectar.

  Wikipedia page: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rhododendron

Image credits:

By Kurt Stüber [1] – caliban.mpiz-koeln.mpg.de/mavica/index.html part of www.biolib.de, CC BY-SA 3.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=7737
By TriviaKing at en.wikipedia, CC BY-SA 3.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=17928714
Cycads
Published

Cycads

Cycas revoluta habit
Common name: Sago palm (although it is not a palm), Queen sago

Scientific name: Cycas revoluta, Cycas circinalis

Hazard associated: All parts poisonous, and will cause gastrointestinal distress if ingested.

Notes: Seeds of Cycas revoluta

  • Often grown in gardens as a feature plant.
  • Cycads are plants which produce seeds but not flowers. They are not confers but not allied to them
  • Cycads have been used as a food source but only after extensive preparation to remove the toxin BMAA that they contain.
  • The bright red/orange seeds may look attractive to children.
  • Pets and livestock have been known to suffer from eating this plant.

 

 Wikipedia page: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cycas

Image credits:

1) By Pinus – Own work, CC BY-SA 3.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=21114113
2) By Esculapio – Own work (personal work), CC BY-SA 3.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=634772
Golden Chain
Published

Golden Chain

Goldenchain - leaves, flowers, fruit

Common name: Golden chain

Scientific name: Laburnum anagyroides

Hazard associated: All parts of the plant are poisonous.

Notes: Golden Chain (Laburnum)

  • These plants are commonly used in gardens for their showy chains of golden yellow flowers.
  •  All parts, including the seeds and berries, are extremely poisonous. Eating as few as 20 seeds or 3-4 unripe berries can kill an adult.
  • Traditionally, this laburnum is sometimes deliberately used to induce vomiting but as so many factors can affect the dosage strength, this is not considered a good practice in modern medicine.
  • Other uses include pesticide manufacture and timber for woodturning.

 Wikipedia page: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Laburnum_anagyroides

Image credits:

By 4028mdk09 – Own work, CC BY-SA 3.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=10224027
Hydrangea
Published

Hydrangea

Hydrangea - pale form

Common name: Hydrangea

Scientific name: Hydrangea macrophylla and other Hydrangea spp.

Hazard associated: The plant contains toxic compounds which would be dangerous if ingested. There is also mounting evidence linking hydrangeas to contact dermatitis.

Notes:  Hydrangea - pink form

  • Hydrangeas are mostly shrubs and are commonly planted in gardens for their large showy flower heads.
  • Their compound flowers may be white, pink or blue depending on the pH of the soil in which they are growing.
  • Hydrangeas contain a compound called hydrangin ( a cyanogenic glycoside) which is capable of causing serious damage if ingested. Symptoms include vomiting, abdominal pains, diarrhea, labored breathing, lethargy and coma.
  • Poses a threat to pets. Children may be tempted to make tea or “magic potions” with the flowers/flower buds.

  Wikipedia page: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hydrangea

Image credits

2. By Joanne Bergenwall Aw – Own work, CC BY-SA 3.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=6988647
Lantana
Published

Lantana

Lantana bush showing flowers and fruit

Common name: Lantana, wild sage

Scientific name: Lantana species, Lantana camara is the most commonly encountered

Hazard associated: Leaves and fruit poisonous if ingested.

Notes: Lantan bush with multi-coloured flowers

  • Members of the verbena family.
  • Lantanas are grown in gardens for their attractive often multi-hued flowers. They are also grown to attract insects such as bees and butterflies.
  • The berries formed from the flowers are initially green, turning black when ripe.
  • Dogs have been known to be poisoned by eating the leaves, and the berries may be attractive to children.
  • They are regarded as an invasive weed in many parts of the tropical and temperate zones.

 Wikipedia page: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lantana

Image credits:

By そらみみ – Own work, CC BY-SA 4.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=50255193
By Vengolis – Own work, CC BY-SA 4.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=50091176
Wintersweet
Published

Wintersweet

 

Acokanthera_oblongifolia

Common name: Wintersweet, Bushman’s poison

Scientific name: Acokanthera oblongifolia

Hazard associated: All parts of the plant are poisonous if ingested.

Notes: Acokanthera_oblongifolia fruits

  • Children may be attracted to this plant as the fruit may be mistaken for olives.
  • The leaves of Acokanthera oblongifolia have been mistaken for bay leaves.
  • Used as a screening plant in landscaping.
  • The spa of the plant is milky and may cause skin and eye irritation.
  • Used by South African bushmen to poison arrow tips for hunting.

 Wikipedia page: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Acokanthera_oblongifolia

Image credits: