irritant – Forage Me Not

Published September 7, 2016

Hyacinth

Common name: Hyacinth, oriental hyacinth, Dutch hyacinth

Scientific name: Hyacinthus orientalis

Hazard associated: Ingestion of all parts but most especially the bulb leads to vomiting, increased salivation, an increased heart rate and laboured breathing. Handling of bulbs can lead to skin irritations.

Notes:

These plants are grown in gardens for their attractive flowers and pleasant smell.
Selective breeding has resulted in many different variations of blue, purple, pink and white shades in the flowers.
The bulbs of hyacinths might be mistaken for onions by children and inexperienced gardeners.
Hyacinths contain the same toxin found in tulips. It is known as tuliposide.
Handling hyacinth bulbs frequently can lead to conditions such skin rashes and lesions.

Wikipedia page: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hyacinth_(plant)

Image credits:

By ElenaSchifirnet – Own work, CC BY-SA 3.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=15124702

Published August 23, 2016

Hydrangea

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:

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

Published January 26, 2016

Gympie Gympie

Common name: Gympie gympie, stinging bush
Scientific name: Dendrocnide moroides
Hazard associated: The plants are covered in hairs which inject a potent neurotoxin.

Notes:

Gympie Gympie is a rainforest tree found in Northern Australia (primarily Queensland) and Indonesia.
The plant sheds hairs so you do not need to touch it to be affected; just being in its vicinity has resulted in itching and nose bleeds.
The fruit is reputed to be edible but all hairs need to be removed first.
Contact with the plant hairs results in severe itching which may persist for months. The injured area becomes covered with small, red spots which can join together to form a red, swollen mass.
Repeated exposure increases the severity of the allergenic effect.

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

Image credits:
“Stinging tree” by Cgoodwin – Own work. Licensed under CC BY 3.0 via Commons – https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Stinging_tree.JPG#/media/File:Stinging_tree.JPG

Published December 30, 2015

Plumbago

Common name: Plumbago, Cape Leadwort

Scientific name: Plumbago auriculata

Hazard associated: Contains plumbagin which can cause severe irritation if skin exposure occurs.

Notes:

All parts of the plant are irritant
has been implicated in the deaths of some domestic pets
Common garden plant, grown for its showy clusters of flowers
Flowers of cultivars may vary from white to deep blues
Cannot tolerate frost

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

Image credits:

1. “Flickr – brewbooks – Plumbago auriculata” by brewbooks from near Seattle, USA – Plumbago auriculata. Licensed under CC BY-SA 2.0 via Commons – https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Flickr_-_brewbooks_-_Plumbago_auriculata.jpg#/media/File:Flickr_-_brewbooks_-_Plumbago_auriculata.jpg
2. Public Domain

Published November 15, 2015

Cleavers

Common name: Cleavers, sticky weed

Scientific name: Galium aparine

Hazard associated: Some people have an allergic reaction to contact with this plant.

Notes:

This species is a common garden weed across several continents.
Some people are not irritated by contact with it, but some people do develop a bad rash if they touch it.
The seed is spread by sticking to passing animals.
Cleavers are commonly regarded as edible when cooked.

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

Image credits:

“Galium aparine” by Luis Nunes Alberto – Own work. Licensed under CC BY-SA 3.0 via Commons – https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Galium_aparine.jpg#/media/File:Galium_aparine.jpg
“Galium.aparine” by sarefo – Own work. Licensed under CC BY-SA 3.0 via Commons – https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Galium.aparine.jpg#/media/File:Galium.aparine.jpg

Published November 8, 2015

Duranta

Common name: Golden dewdrop, Sky flower

Scientific name: Duranta erecta

Hazard associated: The fruit can cause gastro-intestinal irritation, vomiting and diarrhoea if ingested. May also cause convulsions and paralysis in some cases.

Notes:

Thorns develop as the plant gets older.
Often used as an ornamental hedge in warmer areas
Many cultivars have been developed e.g. Geisha girl, Sheena’s gold
Black orange berries may be attractive to children
Known to have caused many pet deaths
Is considered to be a invasive weed in Australia

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

Image credits:

1) “Duranta erecta” by Horologium – Own work. Licensed under CC BY-SA 3.0 via Commons – https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Duranta_erecta.jpg#/media/File:Duranta_erecta.jpg
2) “Duranta erecta fruits” by K Hari Krishnan – Own work. Licensed under CC BY-SA 3.0 via Commons – https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Duranta_erecta_fruits.jpg#/media/File:Duranta_erecta_fruits.jpg