33 poisonous plants (and symptoms of poisoning)

Poisonous plants, such as me-no-one-may, foxglove, parrot’s beak, castor bean or oleander, contain toxic substances capable of causing serious poisoning if they are ingested, inhaled or come into contact with the skin.

This is because substances from these plants, such as glycosides, alkaloids, cardiotonics, calcium oxalate, tannins or saponins, can affect the gastrointestinal, nervous, cardiac, pulmonary or dermatological systems, resulting in intoxication and symptoms such as skin irritation, cirrhosis, blood pressure discharge or convulsions, which are sometimes fatal.

If you ingest any type of poisonous plant, it is recommended to go to the hospital immediately and take a photo of the plant to identify the species. In case of skin contact with the plant, it is recommended to wash the area and avoid scratching. If your skin symptoms worsen, you should go to the hospital immediately to begin appropriate treatment.

What are the poisonous plants

The main poisonous, or toxic, plants are:

1. Nobody can with me (Dieffenbachia spp.);
2. Glass of milk (Zantedeschia ethiopica);
3. Parrot or poinsettia beak (The most beautiful Euphorbia);
4. Napoleon’s Hat (Peruvian Thevetia);
5. Crown-of-Christ (Euphorbia millet);
6. Wild Taioba (Collocasia of the ancients);
7. Trumpet (Brugmansia suaveolens);
8. White skirt (Sweet-smelling datura);
9. Oleander (Nerium oleander);
10. Dedaleira (Digitalis purpurea);
11. Mormon (Common tick);
12. wild cassava (Manihot esculenta or Manihot very useful);
13. Bamboo shoot (Bambusa vulgaris);
14. Lily (Spathiphyllum wallisii);
15. Sword-of-São-Jorge (Dracaena trifasciata);
16. Adam’s Rib (Monstera Delicious);
17. Anthurium (Anthurium sp.);
18. Hemlock (Spotted hemlock);
19. Rosary pea (Abrus précatorius);
20. Belladonna (Atropa belladonna);
21. Yew (Taxus baccata);
22. Aconite (Aconite turnip);
23. Devil’s chestnut (It will give straw);
24. Night’s Lady (The night sky);
25. Embira (Daphnopsis racemosa);
26. Poppy (Papaver sp.);
27. Comfrey (Symphytum officinale);
28. St. Christopher’s Wort (Actaea pachypoda);
29. Poisonous Hera (Toxicodendron radicans);
30. Bitter oleander (Peruvian Thevetia);
31. Nettle (Fleurya sweltering);
32. Hazelnut (Euphorbia tirucalli);
33. Mancenilheira (Hippomane manchinella).

These plants contain substances that, when in direct contact with the skin or mucous membranes, or when ingested or inhaled, can lead to allergic reactions or intoxication, which in some cases can put life at risk if treatment is not carried out immediately in the hospital.

Poisonous Garden Plants

Some poisonous garden plants are generally used as ornaments, such as the common plant, the calla lily, the trumpet tree, the oleander or the lily, and are normally planted at home.

If you have poisonous garden plants, care must be taken to keep children and animals away from these plants to avoid contact that could cause poisoning.

Symptoms of poisoning

The main symptoms of poisoning by poisonous plants are:

• Redness or irritation of the skin;
• Formation of blisters on the skin;
• Burning sensation in the skin;
• Intense itching or hives;
• Peeling of the skin;
• Swelling of the skin or mucous membranes;
• Excessive production of saliva;
• Increased heart rate;
• Increase in the size of the pupils in the eyes;
• Nausea and vomiting;
• Diarrhea;
• Abdominal cramps;
• Eye irritation;
• Corneal injury;
• Agitation;
• Hallucination;
• Mental confusion;
• Seizures;
• Dizziness or fainting.

In addition, symptoms of a severe allergic reaction or anaphylaxis may appear, which require immediate medical attention, such as difficulty breathing, a feeling of a closed throat, hoarseness, swelling in the mouth, tongue or face. Know how to identify the symptoms of anaphylaxis.

First aid for poisoning with poisonous plants

When coming into direct contact with a poisonous plant, you must:

1. Immediately wash the skin with plenty of water and soap for 5 to 10 minutes;
2. Wash under your nails with soap and waterusing a brush, to remove any toxic substance from under the nails;
3. Apply cold compresses volcanoes;
4. Remove clothesshoes or any other clothing that has had contact with the plant;
5. Rinse eyes with plenty of waterif the plant has come into contact with the eyes;
6. Rinse your mouth thoroughly with waterif there has been contact between the plant and the mouth;
7. Go to the hospital or emergency room closer.

Furthermore, you should keep or take a photo of the plant to take to the hospital, so that the doctor can identify the type of poisonous plant, to indicate the most appropriate treatment, as it can vary from one plant to another.

There are also Toxicological Information and Assistance Centers (Ciats) available, which you can call for guidance in cases of poisoning by toxic plants, available 24 hours a day. The general number of Ciats that are part of the National Network of Toxicological Information Centers (Renaciat) is 0800 722 6001.