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Poisonous Landscaping Shrubs and Flowers

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Most properties are growing shrubs, hedges, or flowers that are poisonous or toxic or cause reactions like hives and rashes. Most people are not even aware of the dangers. The plants add beauty and definition to yards but must be handled carefully.

Some estimates claim that over 500 plant species growing in the US are toxic to humans. About 3% of the over two million accidental poisonings yearly are plant-related–or about 60,000 occurrences. Between ten and sixty of these poisonings are fatal.

Here are some of the more common plants that are surprisingly poisonous to humans.

Barberry

Barberry

Barberry is used as a hedge or planted individually in yards. Hardy and easy to grow. Beautiful red and burgundy foliage. A highly invasive plant and difficult to remove. There are no definitive human studies on barberry toxicology. All animal studies use berberine derived from barberry which suggests the plant is toxic.

  • Toxic Plant Parts. Flowers, berries, leaves.
  • Symptoms. Vomiting. Diarrhea. Nausea. Abdominal pain. Depresses heart muscle action.

Boxwood

Boxwood

Popular evergreen shrubs and ornamantals in yards. Make excellent hedges because they grow thick and quick. A versatile plant that is easy to trim and shape. The plant contains steroidal alkaloids–substances poisonous and very toxic to humans and pets.

  • Toxic Plant Parts. All parts but especially green leaves.
  • Symptoms. Loss of appetite. Vomiting. Diarrhea. Abdominal pain. Tremors. Seizures. Difficulty breathing leading to respiratory failure. Irregular heartbeat. Severe poisoning can be fatal.

Ornamental Cherry Trees

Ornamental Cherry Trees

Ornamental flowering cherry trees are part of the rose family. They are grown for their beautiful spring flowers–not for fruit production. Fruit pits contain concentrations of cyanide.

  • Toxic Plant Parts. Leaves. Bark. Pits.
  • Symptoms. Gasping. Nervous disorder. Fatal if enough is ingested.

Holly

Holly

The holly family has over 570 species including trees, shrubs, and climbers. It is common from the tropics to temperate zones and is best known in Europe and North America as a Christmas decoration. The berries are poisonous to humans and pets but usually not fatal.

  • Toxic Plant Parts. Berries.
  • Symptoms. Vomiting. Diarrhea. Dehydration. Drowsiness.

Juniper

Juniper

This coniferous evergreen tree and shrub is found in most parts of the world. Trees can grow to 130 feet tall. The shrubs are popular as ornamental plants. Juniper provides the flavoring for gin. Some species of juniper berries contain toxic oil that causes kidney problems and other health issues.

  • Toxic Plant Parts. Berry-like seeds.
  • Symptoms. Kidney damage. Vomiting. Diarrhea. Stomach pain. Convulsions. Fatal in some cases.

Mountain Laurel

Mountain Laurel

Mountain laurel has glossy dark green leaves and bell-shaped flowers in multiple colors including white, pink, and deep rose. It thrives in a wide range of soils and climates–making it a popular ornamental plant, hedge, and border planting. The plant–and honey made from it–can be deadly to humans and pets.

  • Toxic Plant Parts. All parts including bark, leaves, flowers, seeds, stems, and bark. Even the honey of wild bees feeding exclusively on mountain laurel is toxic.
  • Symptoms. Salivation. Vomiting. Muscle tremors. Heart and respiratory problems. Seizures. Convulsions. Miscarriages. Paralysis.

Privet

Privet

Privet is a flowering evergreen that grows as a shrub or tree. It is easy to grow and difficult to remove. Depending on size, a plant can produce thousands of seeds. It is popular as a hedge plant and is used in flower arrangements. Privet is used in some traditional Chinese medicine. It is classified as an invasive plant. The pollen aggravates asthma and skin contact can cause extreme irritation.

  • Toxic Plant Parts. Leaves and berries.
  • Symptoms. Skin rash. Asthma attacks. Nausea. Headache. Abdominal pain. Diarrhea. Vomiting. Low blood pressure.

Wisteria

Wisteria

Wisteria produces large clusters of abundant flowers. It climbs trees, walls, trellises, and pergolas. Wisteria flowers are very fragrant and are available in multiple colors. The plant is considered invasive in much of the US. The entire plant contains lectins and wisterin–both toxic to humans and pets.

  • Toxic Plant Parts. Seeds. Seed Pods. All other plant parts in lesser concentrations.
  • Symptoms. Stomach pain. Nausea. Vomiting. Diarrhea. Dizziness. Confusion. Collapse.

Yew

Yew

Yew is popular as an ornamental tree or hedge. It is thick, dense, and easily shaped and cared for. Yew is an evergreen that can live for centuries. Male yew trees release pollen that reaches 10 of 10 on the allergy scale. Sudden death can occur without warning.

  • Toxic Plant Parts. Berries. Foliage.
  • Symptoms. Asthma attacks. Nausea. Vomiting. Muscle weakness. Confusion. Loss of consciousness. Low blood pressure. Total respiratory collapse. Death can be sudden without symptoms.

Azalea

Azalea

Azaleas are flowering shrubs that have thousands of cultivars after hundreds of years of selective breeding. Mature plants are 3’ -20’ tall. There are both deciduous and coniferous varieties. The multi-colored blooms last for weeks. Receiving a bouquet of azaleas in a black vase was once considered a death threat because of the plant’s toxicity.

Azalea poisoning is especially serious in children and pets. Bees that feed on azaleas are responsible for “mad honey” which can lead to “mad honey disease”. Mad honey is a psychedelic and is legally sold in some countries.

  • Toxic Plant Parts. All parts including honey from bees feeding on azaleas.
  • Symptoms. Nausea. Vomiting. Weakness. Dizziness. Breathing problems. Coma. Seizures. Cardiac arrest leading to death.

Bleeding Heart

Bleeding Heart

Bleeding heart plants are popular garden ornamentals around the world. The heart-shaped fuchsia and white flowers make a beautiful display. While not the most toxic pant on this list, it does produce a long list of symptoms–including skin rash–making it difficult to determine the cause.

  • Toxic Plant Parts. All parts are toxic when ingested. Leaves and flowers can cause skin irritation.
  • Symptoms. Respiratory problems. Loss of coordination and clumsiness. Lethargy. Muscle weakness. Dermatitis. Vomiting. Diahrea. Drooling. Tremors. Seizures. Skin rash.

Clematis

Clematis

Clematis is part of the buttercup family. There are over 380 cultivars. Clematis is used to treat migraines and eczema. It may have antibacterial and anti-inflammatory properties. Ingesting too much clematis causes internal bleeding in the digestive tract. Plant foliage and flowers contain compounds extremely irritating to skin and mucous membranes.

Clematis is one of the more quick-acting poisonous flowers. It affects humans and pets. The effects are usually fairly mild and do not last long.

  • Toxic Plant Parts. Leaves and flowers.
  • Symptoms. Upset stomach. Vomiting. Salivating. Diarrhea. Blisters in the mouth. Dermatitis. Digestive tract bleeding.

English Ivy

English Ivy

English ivy is a popular evergreen climbing plant or ground cover. It is poisonous in large amounts but is used in the manufacture of some cough medicines. Some people get dermatitis from touching the plants. All parts of the plant are toxic if ingested in large amounts.

  • Toxic Plant Parts. All parts including berries, leaves, and stems.
  • Symptoms. Skin rash. Headache. Fever. Anxiety. Breathing problems. Muscle weakness. Hallucinations. Coma.

Eucalyptus

Eucalyptus

Eucalyptus trees range in size from potted plants to giant trees. These evergreens have a distinctive citrus odor and produce essential oils. Eucalyptus oils are used in cleaning products, toothpaste, food supplements, and as insect repellent. It is very potent and overdoses are toxic. Too much eucalyptus can cause seizures and organ failure.

  • Toxic Plant Parts. Leaves. Overdosing on oils and supplements.
  • Symptoms. Nausea. Vomiting. Diarrhea. Weakness. Respiratory problems. Seizures. Organ failure.

Foxglove

Foxglove

A tall plant that produces multiple purple to white flowers. Foxglove is used to make the prescription medicine digoxin–used to treat heart failure. It is one of the most toxic plant species. They are considered invasive in the western US.

  • Toxic Plant Parts. Flowers, leaves, stems, roots, sap, pollen.
  • Symptoms. Low blood pressure. Dizziness and confusion. Blurred vision. Hallucinations. Stomach pain. Diahrea. Kidney and heart problems. Depression. Possibly death.

Honeysuckle

Honeysuckle

Honeysuckle are used as colorful garden plants that flower profusely and produce intense fragrances. Most honeysuckle is not poisonous but some–like Japanese honeysuckle–are toxic. Especially to cats.

  • Toxic Plant Parts. All parts including berries. Blossoms are considered safe.
  • Symptoms. Diarrhea. Dilated pupils. Irregular heartbeat. Respiratory failure. Coma.

Lilies

Lilies

Lilies are tall perennial plants grown from bulbs that produce large fragrant flowers in many colors. They are native to most of the Northern Hemisphere and are used in gardens and indoors. All lilies are poisonous to cats and some–like Lily of the Valley among others–are poisonous to humans.

  • Toxic Plant Parts. All parts.
  • Symptoms. Nausea. Vomiting. Diarrhea. Irregular heartbeat. Mental confusion. Stomach pain. Collapse. Possibly death. Fatal to livestock.

Morning Glory

Morning Glory

There are over 1000 species in the Morning Glory family. They produce beautiful flowers on hardy climbing plants and are gardening favorites. Morning Glory flowers are not dangerous to eat but the seeds contain a chemical similar to LSD which can cause serious overdosing side effects. Keep seeds out of children’s reach.

  • Toxic Plant Parts. Seeds and roots.
  • Symptoms. Hallucinations. Vomiting. Diarrhea. Muscle tightness.

Oleander

Oleander

Oleander is a tough evergreen shrub that produces pretty pink and white flowers. It is used indoors and outdoors and as a hedge plant. It is one of the most toxic ornamental plants. All parts of the plant are toxic to humans and pets. They remain toxic after drying.

Eating just one oleander leaf can kill an adult. Even honey derived from oleander plants can be deadly. Contact with oleander sap causes skin irritation but is not deadly.

  • Toxic Plant Parts. All parts even after drying.
  • Symptoms. Skin rash. Dizziness. Confusion. Weakness. Irregular heartbeat. Nausea. Convulsions. Respiratory paralysis. Death.

Pet Toxicity

Most of these plants are toxic to pets–especially cats. They have a more deadly effect because pets have less body mass to absorb the poison. Puppies will usually chew on anything. Keep your pets away from toxic plants or avoid having the plants in your yard.

The post Poisonous Landscaping Shrubs and Flowers appeared first on Homedit.


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