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Plants that are Poisonous//Irritant//Allergenic

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Posts Tagged with livestock hazard

Rhododendron
Published September 22, 2016

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
Hydrangea
Published August 23, 2016

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 July 26, 2016

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
Ivy
Published September 15, 2015

Ivy

ivy leaves

Common name: Ivy

Scientific name: Hedera helix, other Hedera species

Hazard associated: Irritant to the skin and corrosive if ingested.

Notes: ivy berries

  • Ivy is commonly found in gardens even when not planted there, i.e. it is an invasive weed in many situations.
  • Some varieties have variegated leaves.
  • The reaction to ivy sap varies from person to person.
  • The berries may look attractive to children although the taste is reported to be very unpleasant.
  • Ivy extract has been used medically in measured doses as a decongestant.

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

Image credits:

“Hedera helix1” by Petr Filippov – Own work. Licensed under CC BY-SA 3.0 via Wikimedia Commons – https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Hedera_helix1.JPG#/media/File:Hedera_helix1.JPG

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