Real Gardeners

Poisonous Plants

We've done a lot of work to make the information here as accurate as we can, but if you find anything wrong or missing, please contact us.

If you're not sure about a particular plant do try to check for yourself - preferably not by giving it a quick nibble and seeing what happens!

When seeking medical assistance as a result of poisoning always take a piece of the plant with you. Do not attempt to make the victim vomit.

Names marked with an asterisk* mean that the plant's dangerous - possibly fatal in some cases.

Plants are listed in alphabetical order of botanical name. If you want to find one by its common name, press Ctrl-F and you'll get a box that lets you search the page.

Click on any picture to see it full size.

Botanical name	Common name	Poisonous part/s	Illustration
Abrus precatorius	Jequirity Crab's eye Rosary pea 'John Crow' bead Precatory bean Indian licorice Akar saga Giddee giddee Jumbie bead	seeds
Acalypha	Chenille plant Copperleaf	sap
Acokanthera oblongifolia	Poison arrow plant Bushmen's poison	sap
*Aconitum*	Monkshood	all parts; toxin can be absorbed through the skin*
*Actaea*	Baneberry Bugbane Black snakeroot	all parts, especially berries*; toxin can be absorbed through the skin
*Adenium obesum*	Desert rose	sap
*Aesculus hippocastanum*	Horse-chestnut	all parts
*Ageratina altissima*	White Snakeroot	all parts*
*Aglaonema*	Chinese evergreen	all parts
*Agrostemma githago*	Corncockle	all parts
*Allamanda*	Yellow Bell Golden Trumpet Buttercup Flower	all parts
*Allium*	Onions and garlic	all parts poisonous to dogs & cats
*Alocasia*	Taro	all parts
*Aloe*	Aloe	sap of leaves
*Amaryllis belladona*	Belladonna lily Naked lady	sap & bulb
*Anabaena circinalis* *Anacystis cynea*	Blue-green algae (cyanobacteria)	contaminated water
*Anthurium*	Flamingo flower Boy flower	all parts
*Apocynum spp.*	Dogbane Indian hemp	all parts
*Arisaema*	Cobra-lily	all parts
*Arum*	Cuckoo-pint Lords-and-ladies	all parts
*Asparagus* (except officinalis)	Asparagus fern	berries
*Atropa belladonna*	Deadly nightshade	all parts, especially berries*
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Botanical name	Common name	Poisonous part/s	Illustration
*Brugmansia*	Angel’s trumpet	leaves, flowers & seeds
*Brunfelsia*	Yesterday, today and tomorrow Lady of the night	all parts, especially berries & seeds

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Botanical name	Common name	Poisonous part/s	Illustration
*Caladium*	Angel’s wings Elephant ear Heart of Jesus	all parts
*Calla palustris*	Water arum Bog arum Marsh calla	all parts
*Catheranthus Roseus*syn. Vinca rosea syn. Lochnera rosea	Rosy periwinkle Madagascar periwinkle Cape periwinkle Old-maid	all parts
*Cerbera odollam*	Suicide tree Othalanga Pong-pong	nut*
*Chelidonium majus*	Greater celandine	all parts, especially root*
*Chrysanthemum X morifolium* syn. Dendranthema X grandiflorum	Chrysanthemum Mum Chrysanth	leaves, flowers
*Cicuta sp.*	Water hemlock Cowbane Poison parsnip	all parts, especially root*
*Colchicum*	Autumn crocus Meadow saffron Naked lady	all parts*
*Colocasia esculenta*	Taro Dasheen Arrowroot Elephant ear	all parts when unprocessed
*Conium maculatum*	Hemlock Poison hemlock	all parts*
*Convallaria majalis*	Lily-of-the-valley	all parts
*Coriaria*	Redoul Deu Huique	berries*
*Cycadophyta*	Cycads	unprocessed seeds
*Cytisus*	Broom	leaves, twigs, flowers, seeds
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Botanical name	Common name	Poisonous part/s	Illustration
*Daphne mezereum*	Daphne Spurge laurel Mezereon	all parts, especially berries*
*Datura*	Nightshade Thorn-apple	all parts*


*Datura stramonium*	Datura Jimson weed Angel's trumpet Devil's weed Thorn-apple Stinkweed Jamestown weed Moonflower Tolguacha	all parts*


*Delphinium* (including Consolida)	Larkspur	all parts, especially young plants & seeds*
*Dicentra cucullaria*	Dutchman's breeches	foliage & roots poisonous
*Dichapetalum cymosum*	Gifblaar Poison leaf	poisonous (livestock & associated predators)
*Dieffenbachia*	Dumb cane Leopard lily	all parts
*Digitalis*	Foxglove	foliage, flowers & seeds*
*Dracunculus*	Dragon arum Black arum Voodoo lily Snake lily Stink lily Black dragon Dragonwort Ragons Drakondia	root when unprocessed
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Botanical name	Common name	Poisonous part/s	Illustration
*Echium*	Viper's bugloss Patterson's curse Tower of jewels	all parts
*Epipremnum*	Devil’s ivy Pothos Silver vine Money plant Centipede tongavine Solomon islands' ivy Philodendron (error)	all parts
*Erythrina herbacea*	Coral tree Coral bean Cherokee bean Red cardinal Cardinal spear	all parts, mainly seeds
*Euonymus*	Spindle Spindle tree	all parts
*Euphorbia* (including E. pulcherrima)	Spurge (including Poinsettia)	all parts
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Botanical name	Common name	Poisonous part/s	Illustration
*Fungi*	Mushrooms and toadstools	fruiting bodies of many species, some*
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Botanical name	Common name	Poisonous part/s	Illustration
*Gaultheria* (syn.Pernettya)		leaves, nectar, berries*
*Gelsemium sempervirens*	Yellow jessamine Yellow jasmine Carolina jessamine Carolina jasmine Evening trumpet flower Gelsemium Woodbine	all parts*
*Gloriosa superba*	Flame lily Fire lily Gloriosa lily Glory lily Superb lily Climbing lily Creeping lily	poisonous
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Botanical name	Common name	Poisonous part/s	Illustration
*Hedera*	Ivy	leaves and berries
*Helleborus niger*	Christmas rose Black hellebore	all parts
*Hippeastrum*	Amaryllis	bulb
*Hippomane mancinella*	Manchineel Manchioneel	all parts*
*Homeria*	Cape tulips	all parts
*Hyacinthoides*	Bluebell	all parts
*Hyacinthus*	Hyacinth	all parts
*Hydrangea*	Hortensia	all parts
*Hyoscyamus*	Henbane Stinking nightshade	all parts*
*Hypericum perforatum*	St John's wort Perforate St John’s wort Titton's weed Klamath weed	poisonous to livestock
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Botanical name	Common name	Poisonous part/s	Illustration
*Ilex aquifolium*	Holly European holly Christmas holly Mexican holly	berries

*Ipomoea*	Morning glory Moonflower Bindweed	seeds
*Iris*	Iris Flag Iris	rhizome
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Botanical name	Common name	Poisonous part/s	Illustration
*Jacobaea vulgaris* syn. Senecio jacobaea	Ragwort	poisonous to livestock

*Juniperus sabina*	Savin juniper Savin	all parts
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Botanical name	Common name	Poisonous part/s	Illustration
*Kalanchoe tubiflora*	Mother of millions Mother of thousands Chandelier plant	poisonous to livestock

*Kalmia*	Mountain laurel Calico bush Spoonwood Ivybush Sheep laurel Lambkill Clamoun	all parts (livestock but not small household pets)
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Botanical name	Common name	Poisonous part/s	Illustration
*Laburnum*	Laburnum	all parts, especially seeds*
+*Laburnocytisus* ‘Adamii’	Adam's laburnum Broom laburnum	all parts, especially seeds*

*Lagenaria*	Calabash Bottle gourd	poisonous
*Lantana*	Lantana Ham 'n eggs Bacon and eggs Spanish flag	all parts poisonous to livestock
*Lathyrus sativus*	Indian pea Grass pea Blue sweet pea Chickling vetch Indian pea Indian vetch White vetch	seeds (cumulative)
*Leucothoe*	Black laurel Doghobble Sweetbells	leaves, nectar
*Ligustrum*	Privet	leaves and berries

*Lilium*	Lily	poisonous, including pollen, especially to cats*
*Lobelia* except L. erinus	Lobelia Asthma Weed Indian Tobacco Pukeweed Vomitwort	all parts
*Lolium temulentum*	Darnel Cockle Poison ryegrass	seeds and seed heads
*Lupinus*	Lupin Lupine	seeds
*Lysichiton*	Skunk cabbage	poisonous, especially to cats
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Botanical name	Common name	Poisonous part/s	Illustration
*Malus domestica*	Apple	seeds mildly poisonous
*Mandragora*	Mandrake	all parts
*Manihot esculenta*	Cassava Manioc Yuca	roots, leaves poisonous in unprocessed form
*Melia azedarach*	White cedar Persian lilac Chinaberry Bead tree Lunumidella Ceylon cedar Malai vembu	leaves, berries*
*Menispermum*	Moonseed	all parts*
*Mirabilis*	Marvel of Peru Four o’clock plant	seeds

*Monstera deliciosa*	Swiss cheese plant Cheese plant Ceriman Fruit salad plant Monster fruit Monsterio delicio Monstereo Mexican breadfruit Monstera	all parts, especially unripe fruit (ripe fruit edible)
*Myristica fragrans*	Nutmeg	poisonous to humans in high doses, to animals in low doses
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Botanical name	Common name	Poisonous part/s	Illustration
*Narcissus*	Daffodil	bulbs* and stems
*Nerium oleander*	Oleander	all parts, including smoke when burning*
*Nicotiana*	Tobacco plant	all parts*
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Botanical name	Common name	Poisonous part/s	Illustration
*Oenanthe crocata*	Hemlock water-dropwort	all parts*
*Ornithogalum*	Chincherinchee Star of Bethlehem Sun star Pregnant onion False sea onion Snake flower Bath asparagus Prussian asparagus	all parts, especially bulbs
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Botanical name	Common name	Poisonous part/s	Illustration
*Papaver somniferum*	Opium poppy	sap
*Parthenocissus*	Virginia creeper Japanese creeper Boston ivy Sevenleaf creeper Thicket creeper Woodbine Grape woodbine	berries
*Passiflora caerulea*	Hardy passion flower Blue passion flower Common passion flower	leaves
*Phaseolus lunatus*	Lima bean Butter bean	seeds when raw
*Phaseolus vulgaris*	Kidney bean	seeds when raw
*Philodendron*		all parts
*Physostigma venenosum*	Calabar bean Ordeal bean	seeds
*Phytolacca*	Pokeweed American nightshade Cancer jalap Coakum Garget Inkberry Pigeon berry Pocan bush Redweed	leaves (other parts debated) by eating and entering by a cut in the skin
*Podophyllum*	Mayapple	all parts
*Polygonatum*	Solomon’s seal King Solomon's seal	berries
*Polyscias*	Aralia	all parts


*Prunus laurocerasus*	Cherry laurel English laurel Laurel	all parts except flesh of berry
*Prunus lusitanica*	Portugal laurel	seed kernels
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Botanical name	Common name	Poisonous part/s	Illustration
*Quercus*	Oak	leaves & acorns poisonous to livestock (except pigs)
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Botanical name	Common name	Poisonous part/s	Illustration
*Ranunculus*	Buttercup Spearwort Water crowfoot Lesser celandine	poisonous to livestock
*Rhamnus* including Frangula	Alder buckthorn Buckthorn	berries
*Rheum rhaponticum*	Rhubarb	leaves
*Rhododendron*		pollen & nectar; whole plant poisonous to livestock
*Ricinus communis*	Castor oil plant	all parts, especially seeds
*Robinia pseudoacacia*	Locust Black locust False acacia	all parts, especially seed-pods, except flowers
*Ruta*	Rue	all parts*
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Botanical name	Common name	Poisonous part/s	Illustration
*Sambucus* except S. nigra	Nightshade Horsenettle	green parts & berries*

*Scilla*	Squill	all parts
*Solanum* most species	Nightshade Horsenettle	green parts & berries*
*Solanum dulcamara*	Woody nightshade Bittersweet nightshade Bitter nightshade Amara Dulcis Fellenwort Poisonberry Scarlet berry Snakeberry Violet bloom	berries*
*Solanum lycopersicum*	Tomato	foliage
*Solanum nigrum*	Black nightshade Duscle Garden nightshade Hound's berry Petty morel Wonder berry Small-fruited black nightshade Popolo	all parts, especially unripe berries*
*Solanum pseudocapsicum* syn. Solanum karstenii syn. Solanum microcarpum	Jerusalem cherry Madeira winter cherry Winter cherry Christmas cherry	leaves, berries
*Solanum tuberosum*	Potato	foliage and green-tinged tubers
*Spartium junceum*	Spanish broom Weaver's broom	all parts, especially seeds
*Spathiphyllum*	Peace lily Spath lily	leaves

*Strychnos nux-vomica*	Strychnine Tree	seeds and bark*
*Symphoricarpos*	Snowberry Waxberry	berries
*Symphytum*	Comfrey Healing herb Blackwort Bruisewort Wallwort Gum plant	all parts
*Syngonium*	Arrowhead plant Arrowhead vine Goosefoot vine Arrowhead philodendron Goosefoot Trileaf wonder African evergreen	all parts
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Botanical name	Common name	Poisonous part/s	Illustration
*Tabernaemontana*	Crepe jasmine Crape jasmine Milkwood Pinwheel Flower Nero's Crown	sap
*Tamus communis*	Black bryony	all parts

*Taxus baccata*	Yew	all parts except flesh of berries, seeds*
*Toxicodendron vernicifluum* syn. Rhus verniciflua	Japanese lacquer tree Japanese sumach	sap
*Tulipa*	Tulip	all parts
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Botanical name	Common name	Poisonous part/s	Illustration
*Veratrum*	False hellebore	all parts, especially root and rhizomes
*Viscum album*	Mistletoe European mistletoe Common mistletoe	all parts

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Botanical name	Common name	Poisonous part/s	Illustration
*Wisteria*	Wisteria Wistaria	seeds

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Botanical name	Common name	Poisonous part/s	Illustration
*Xanthium*	Cocklebur	seedlings and seedlings poisonous to livestock

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Botanical name	Common name	Poisonous part/s	Illustration
*Zantedeschia*	Arum lily Calla lily	all parts*
*Zigadenus*	Deathcamas Star lily	all parts*

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Poisonous Plants