Melissa Kaplan's
Herp Care Collection
Last updated January 1, 2014

Harmful & Poisonous Plants: O-Z

Susan M. Barnard. Reptile Keeper's Handbook. pp. 167-184. 1996. Reprinted by permission of author and Krieger Publishing Company, Malabar, FL.

O

OAKS (Quercus spp); buds, leaves; oak tannin causes gastritis and nephritis.

OATS (Avena saliva); nontoxic unless contaminated with smut or fungi.

Oenanthe crocata (WATER DROPWORT); entire plant; plant contains the convulsant oenanthetoxin.

OLEANDER (Nerium oleander, other species); entire plant, and water used for cut plants; cardiovascular system affected by the glycosides oleandrin, oleandroside, and nerioside; plant also causes dermatitis.

ONION (Allium cepa); bulbs, bulblets, flowers, stems; gastrointestinal tract affected by plant toxins; plant also causes dermatitis.

Onoclea sensibilis (MEADOW BRAKE, POLYPODY BRAKE, SENSITIVE FERN); leaves; nervous system affected by plant toxins.

Oonopsis spp. (GOLDENWEEDS); entire plant; plant may absorb toxic levels of selenium.

OPIUM POPPY (Papaver somniferum); unripe seedpods; plant contains a wide variety of alkaloids including morphine, codeine, papaverine, narcotine, and isoquinoline.

Ornithogalum spp. (STAR-OF-BETHLEHEM, WONDER FLOWER); entire plant, esp. bulbs; gastrointestinal tract affected by alkaloid toxins.

Oxalis pes-caprae (BERMUDA BUTTERCUP, BERMUDA OXALIS, SORREL, SOURSOB); leaves; plant contains soluble oxalates.

Oxytenia acerosa (COPPERWEED); leaves; toxic principle unknown.

Oxytropis spp. (LOCOWEEDS, POINT VETCH); entire plant; plant is reputed to be toxic.

P

Panicum capillare (PANIC-GRASS, WITCHGRASS); plant is hepatogenic; may contain toxic levels of nitrates.

Papaver somniferum (OPIUM POPPY); unripe seedpods; plant contains a wide variety of alkaloids including morphine, codeine, papaverine, narcotine, and isoquinoline.

Parkinsonia aculeata (HORSEBEAN); plant may contain toxic levels of nitrates.

PASQUE FLOWER (Anemone spp.; includes Pulsatilla spp.); entire plant; gastrointestinal tract affected by the toxin protoanemonin; plant also causes dermatitis.

Pastinaca sativa (WILD PARSNIP); plant causes dermatitis.

PEACE LILY (Spathyphyllum spp.) entire plant; gastrointestinal tract affected by plant toxins; plant also causes dermatitis.

PEACH (Prunus spp.); seeds; plant is cyanogenetic.

Pedilanthus tithymaloides (SLIPPER FLOWER); latex; gastrointestinal tract affected by plant toxins.

PEPPER BUSH (Leucothoe spp.); leaves, nectar; cardiovascular and nervous systems affected.

PEREGRINA (Jatropha integerrima); seeds; gastrointestina! tract affected by toxalbumins and cathartic oils; plant also causes dermatitis.

PERIWINKLE (Vinca spp.); entire plant; plant contains hallucinogens.

Pernettya spp. (no trivial names in U.S.); leaves, nectar; cardiovascular system affected by plant toxins.

Phaseolus lunatus (JAVA BEAN, LIMA BEAN); entire plant; plant is cyanogenetic.

PHEASANT'S EYE (Adonis spp.); entire plant; cardiovascular system affected by cardiac glycosides.

Philodendron spp. (PHILODENDRON); leaves; mouth irritated by plant raphides.

Phoradendron spp. (MISTLETOES); leaves, stems, berries; gastrointestinal tract affected by toxalbumins; plant also causes dermatitis.

Physalis spp. (CHINESE LANTERN, GROUND CHERRY, JAPANESE LANTERN, POHA); unripe berries; gastrointestinal tract affected by solanine glycoalkaloids.

PHYSIC NUT (Jatropha curcas); seeds; gastrointestinal tract affected by toxalbumins and cathartic oils; plant also causes dermatitis.

Phytolacca americans (PIGEONBERRY, POKEBERRY, POKEWEED); leaves, roots; gastrointestinal tract affected by saponins.

Pieris spp. (FETTERBUSH); leaves, nectar; cardiovascular and nervous systems affected by plant toxins.

PIGEONBERRY (Phytolacca americans); all parts, esp. roots; gastrointestinal tract affected by saponins.

PIG-LILLY (Zantedeschida spp.); leaves; mouth irritated by plant raphides.

PIGWEED (Chenopodium spp.); entire plant; may contain toxic levels of nitrates.

PINGUE (Helenium spp.); plant causes dermatitis.

Plagiobothrys sp. (POPCORN FLOWER); plant may contain toxic levels of nitrates.

PLUM (Prunus spp.); seeds; plant is cyanogenetic.

PLUMELESS THISTLE (Carduus sp.); plant may contain toxic levels of nitrates.

Podophyllum peltatum (MAY APPLE); entire plant except fruit; plant toxins affect nervous system and cause hematological abnormalities; powdered root may cause conjunctivitis and keratitis.

POHA (Physalis spp.); unripe berries; gastrointestinal tract affected by solanine glycoalkaloids.

POINSETTIA (Euphorbia pulcherrima); latex; gastrointestinal tract affected by the toxin euphorbin, may contain toxic levels of nitrates; plant also causes dermatitis.

POINT VETCH (Oxytropis spp.); entire plant; plant is reputed to be toxic.

POISON HEMLOCK (Conium maculatum); entire plant, esp. roots and seeds; nervous system affected by alkaloids including coniine, conidrine, and coniceine; may contain toxic levels of nitrates; plant also causes dermatitis.

POISON IVY (Toxicodendron radicans); leaves, bark, and fruit cause dermatitis.

POISON OAK (Toxicodendron spp.); leaves, bark, and fruit cause dermatitis.

POISON SUCKLEYA (Suckleya suckleyana); leaves; plant is cyanogenetic.

POISON SUMAC (Toxicodendron vernix); leaves, bark, and fruit cause dermatitis.

POISONVETCHES (Astragalus spp.); entire plant: may absorb toxic levels of selenium.

POISON WOOD (Metopium toxiferum); plant causes dermatitis.

POKEBERRY, POKEWEED (Phytolacca americans); leaves, roots; gastrointestinal tract affected by saponins.

Polygonum spp. (LADY'S THUMB, SMARTWEEDS); plant may contain toxic levels of nitrates; also causes photosensitization and contact dermatitis.

POLYPODY BRAKE (Onoclea sensibilis); leaves; nervous system affected by plant toxins.

Poncirus trifoliata (MOCK ORANGE, TRIFOLIATE ORANGE); fruit; gastrointestinal tract affected by plant toxins.

POPCORN FLOWER (Plagiobothrys sp.); plant may contain toxic levels of nitrates.

POTATO (Solanum tuberosum); immature growths; gastrointestinal tract affected by solanine glycoalkaloids; may contain toxic levels of nitrates; plant also causes dermatitis.

PRECATORY BEAN (Abrus precatorius); seeds; gastrointestinal tract affected by toxalbumins.

PRICKLY LETTUCE (Latuca sariola); plant may contain toxic levels of nitrates.

PRICKLY POPPY (Argemone mexicana); entire plant; isoquinoline toxin causes "epidemic dropsy" in humans.

PRIDE-OF-INDIA (Melia azedarach); fruit, bark; plant contains convulsants.

PRIMROSE (Primula spp.); leaves cause dermatitis.

Primula spp. (PRIMROSE); leaves cause dermatitis.

PRINCESS'S PLUME (Stanleya pinnata); entire plant; may absorb toxic levels of selenium.

PRIVET (Ligustrum vulgare); entire plant; gastrointestinal tract affected by the glycoside ligustrin.

Prunus spp. (APRICOT, CHERRY, CHERRY LAUREL, PLUM, PEACH); seeds; plant is cyanogenetic.

Ptelea baldwinii (WAFER ASH); plant causes photosensitization and contact dermatitis.

Pteridium spp. (BRACKEN FERN, BRAKE FERN, EAGLE FERN); fronds; plant contains thiaminase.

PUNCTURE VINE (Tribulus terrestris); plant is hepatogenic; may contain toxic levels of nitrates.

PURGE NUT (Jatropha spp.); seeds; gastrointestinal tract affected by toxalbumins and cathartic oils: plant also causes dermatitis.

PURPLE ALLAMANDA (Cryptostegia sp.); entire plant; cardiovascular system affected by digitalislike glycosides.

PURPLECOCKLE (Agrostemma githago); seeds; gastrointestinal tract affected by saponins.

PURPLE FOXGLOVE (Digitalis purpurea); entire plant; cardiovascular system affected by the glycosides digitalin and digitoxin; gastrointestinal tract affected by saponins.

PURSH (Lupinus sp.); leaves, esp. seeds; plant contains numerous alkaloid toxins including quinolizidine and piperidine.

Q

QUEEN'S DELIGHT (Stillingia treculeana); leaves, stems; plant is cyanogenetic.

Quercus spp. (OAKS); buds, leaves; oak tannin causes gastritis and nephritis.

R

Rafinesquia californica (CALIFORNIA CHICORY); plant may contain toxic levels of nitrates.

RAGWORT (Senecio jacobaea); entire plant; pyrrolizidine alkaloids cause hepatic veno-occlusive disease (Budd-Chiari syndrome) in humans.

RAIN TREE (Samonia samon); gastrointestinal tract affected by saponins; plant also causes dermatitis.

Ranunculus spp. (BUTTERCUPS, CROWFOOTS, HELIEBORE); sap; gastrointestinal tract and nervous system affected by the toxin protoanemonin; plant also causes dermatitis.

RATTLEBOX (Crotalaria sp.); entire plant; pyrrolizidine alkaloids cause hepatic veno-occlusive disease (Budd-Chiari syndrome) in humans.

RATTLEBUSH, RATTLEBOX (Sesbania spp.); seeds; gastrointestinal tract affected by saponins.

RAYLESS (Aplopappus heterophyllus); leaves; plant may contain toxic levels of nitrates.

RED PUCCOON (Sanguinaria canadensis); juices from stems and rootstocks cause dermatitis.

RED SQUILL (Urginea maritima); bulbs; cardiovascular system affected by cardiac glycosides.

RESCUE GRASS (Bromus sp.); plant may contain toxic levels of nitrates.

Rhamnus spp. (BUCKTHORN, also see Karwinskia humboldtiana); fruit, bark; gastrointestinal tract affected by plant toxins.

Rheum rhaponticum (RHUBARB); leaf blades; plant contains cathartic toxins, including oxalic acid.

Rhododendron spp. (AZALEAS, LAUREL, RHODODENDRON); leaves; cardiovascular system affected by the resinoid andromedotoxin.

Rhodotypos scandens (JETBEAD); berries; plant is reputed to contain a cyanogenic glycoside.

RHUBARB (Rheum rhaponticum); leaf blades; plant contains cathartic toxins including oxalic acid.

RICINO (Ricinus communis); seeds; gastrointestinal tract affected by toxalbumins; plant also causes dermatitis.

Ricinus communis (CASTOR BEAN, HIGUERETA, RICINO); seeds; gastrointestinal tract affected by toxalbumins; plant also causes dermatitis.

Rivina humilis (ROUGE PLANT); leaves, roots; gastrointestinal tract affected by plant toxins.

Robinia pseudoacacia (BLACK LOCUST); bark, seeds, leaves; gastrointestinal tract affected by toxalbumins.

ROCKY MOUNTAIN BEE PLANT (Cleome serrulata); plant may contain toxic levels of nitrates.

ROSARY PEA (Abrus precatorius); seeds; gastrointestinal tract affected by toxalbumins.

ROUGE PLANT (Rivina humilis); leaves, roots; gastrointestinal tract affected by toxalbumins.

RUBBER VINE (Cryptostegia sp.); entire plant; cardiovascular system affected by digitalis-like glycosides.

RUBBERWEED (Helenium spp.); plant causes dermatitis.

RUE (Ruta graveolens); gastrointestinal tract affected by the toxins furocoumarins, tannins, and xantotoxins; plant also causes photosensitization.

Rumex spp. (DOCKS, SHEEP SORREL); leaves; plant contains soluble oxalates; may contain toxic levels of nitrates; plant also causes dermatitis.

RUSTYLEAF (Menziesia ferruginea); leaves; plant contains toxic resins.

Ruta graveolens (RUE); gastrointestinal tract affected by the toxins furocoumarins, tannins, and xantotoxins; plant also causes photosensitization.

S

SACAHUISTA (Nolina texana); foliage; plant is hepatogenic.

SAGE (Salvia reflexa); leaves of certain varieties contain toxic levels of nitrates.

Salvia reflexa (SAGE); leaves of certain varieties contain toxic levels of nitrates.

Sambucus spp. (ELDERBERRY); entire plant; plant is cyanogenetic; may contain toxic levels of nitrates.

Samonia samon (MONKEY POD, RAIN TREE); gastrointestinal tract affected by saponins; plant also causes dermatitis.

SANDBOX TREE (Hura crepitans); seeds; gastrointestinal tract affected by toxalbumins; plant also causes dermatitis.

Sanguinaria canadensis (BLOODROOT, RED PUCCOON); juices from stems and rootstocks cause dermatitis.

Saponaria spp. (BOUNCING BET, COWCOCKLE); seeds; gastrointestinal tract affected by saponins.

Sarcobatus vermiculatus (GREASEWOOD); plant contains soluble oxalates; also causes dermatitis.

SCARLET PIMPERNEL (Anagallis arvensis); leaves; plant causes dermatitis.

SCOTCH BROOM (Cytisus scoparious); seeds; plant contains quinolizidine alkaloid toxins.

SCOURING RUSH (Equisetum spp.); stems; toxic principles unknown; fungi growing on plants may cause toxicity.

SEA ONION (Urginea maritima); bulbs; cardiovascular system affected by cardiac glycosides.

Senecio spp. (GROUNDSEL, RAGWORT); entire plant; pyrrolizidine alkaloids cause hepatic venoocclusive disease (Budd-Chiari syndrome) in humans.

SENNA (Cassia occidentalis); entire plant: plant contains cathartic toxins.

SENSITIVE FERN (Onoclea sensibilis); leaves; nervous system affected by plant toxins.

Sephora secundiflora (FRIJOLITO, MESCAL BEAN); seeds; nervous system affected by nicotine-like quinolizidine alkaloids.

Sesbania spp. (BAGPOD, COFFEEWEED, RATTLEBOX, RATTLEBUSH); seeds; gastrointestinal tract affected by saponins.

SHEEP LAUREL (Kalmia augustifolia); leaves, nectar; gastrointestinal tract, cardiovascular and nervous systems affected by the toxins andromedotoxin and arbutin.

SHEEP SORREL (Rumex acetosella); leaves; plant contains soluble oxalates; may contain toxic levels of nitrates; plant also causes dermatitis.

SHOWY LADY SLIPPER (Cypripedium reginae); plant causes dermatitis.

SICKLEPOD (Cassia sp.); entire plant; gastrointestinal tract affected by toxalbumins.

SILKY LUPINE (Lupinus spp.); leaves, esp. Seeds; plant contains numerous alkaloid toxins including quinolizidine and piperidine.

Silybum marianum (VARIEGATED THISTLE); plant may contain toxic levels of nitrates.

SINGLETARY PEA (Lathyrus spp.); stems, seeds; nervous system affected by the plant toxins.

SKELETONWEED (Lygodesmia juncea); plant may contain toxic levels of nitrates.

SKUNK CABBAGE (Symplocarpus foetidus); leaves; gastrointestinal tract affected by plant toxins.

SLIPPER FLOWER (Pedilanthus tithymaloides); latex; gastrointestinal tract affected by plant toxins; mouth irritated by plant raphides.

SMARTWEEDS (Polygonum spp.); plant may contain toxic levels of nitrates; plant causes photosensitization and contact dermatitis.

SMOOTH BROMEGRASS (Bromus sp.); plant may contain toxic levels of nitrates.

SNAKE'S HEAD (Fritillaria meleagris); bulb; cardiovascular system affected by alkaloid toxins.

SNEEZEWEED (Helenium spp.); plant causes dermatitis.

SNOWBERRY (Symphoricarpos albus); gastrointestinal tract affected by saponins; plant also causes dermatitis.

SNOWDROP (Galanthus nivalis); gastrointestinal tract affected by the alkaloids lycorine and galantamine.

SNOW-ON-THE-MOUNTAIN (Euphorbia marginata); latex; gastrointestinal tract affected by the toxin euphorbin; may contain toxic levels of nitrates; plant also causes dermatitis.

Solanum spp. (BITTERSWEET, BUFFALO BUR, BULL NETTLE, HORSE NETTLE, JERUSALEM CHERRY, NIGHTSHADES, POTATO); immature growths; gastrointestinal tract affected by solanine glycoalkaloids; may contain toxic levels of nitrates; plant also causes dermatitis.

Sonchus spp. (SOW THISTLE); plant may contain toxic levels of nitrates.

Sophora secundiflora (FRIJOLITO, MESCAL BEAN); seeds; nervous system affected by nicotine-like, quinolizidine alkaloids.

Sorghum spp. (BROOMCORN, JOHNSON GRASS, SORGHUM, SUDAN GRASS); leaves; plant is cyanogenetic; may contain toxic levels of nitrates.

SORRELS (Oxalis pes-caprae, Rumex spp.); leaves; plant contains soluble oxalates; plant also causes dermatitis.

SOURGRASS (Triglochin maritima); leaves; plant is cyanogenetic.

SOURSOB (Oxalis pes-caprae); leaves; plant contains soluble oxalates.

SOW THISTLE (Sonchus spp.); plant may contain toxic levels of nitrates.

SOYBEAN (Glycine max); may contain toxic levels of nitrates; plant is goitrogenic.

SPATHE FLOWER (Spathiphyllum spp.); entire plant; gastrointestinal tract affected by plant toxins; plant also causes dermatitis.

Spathiphyllum spp. (SPATHE FLOWER, WHITE ANTHURIUM); entire plant; gastrointestinal tract affected by plant toxins; plant also causes dermatitis.

Spigelia spp. (WEST INDIAN PINKROOT); entire plant; nervous system affected by the toxin spigeline.

SPINDLE TREE (Euonymus europaeus); fruit; cardiovascular system affected by the glycosides evobioside, evomonoside, and evonoside.

SPINELESS HORSEBRUSH (Tetradymia canescens); leaves, buds; plant causes photosensitization.

SPREADING DOGBANE (Apocynum androsaemifolium); leaves; plant contains cardiac glycosides.

SPRING RABBITBUSH (Tetradymia glabrata); leaves, buds; plant is hepatogenic.

SPURGE LAUREL (Daphne laureola); entire plant, esp. fruit and seeds; gastrointestinal tract and kidneys affected by coumarin glycosides; plant also causes dermatitis.

SPURGE NETTLE (Jatropha spp.); seeds; gastrointestinal tract affected by toxalbumins and cathartic oils; plant also causes dermatitis.

SPURGES (Euphorbia spp.); leaves, stems, latex; gastrointestinal tract affected by the toxin euphorbin; may contain toxic levels of nitrates; plant also causes dermatitis.

SQUILL (Urginea maritima); bulbs; cardiovascular system affected by cardiac glycosides.

SQUIRREL CORN (Dicentra cucullaria); entire plant, esp. bulbs; plant contains convulsants including isoquinoline; plant also causes dermatitis.

STAGGERGRASS (Amianthemum muscaetoxicum); leaves, underground parts; alkaloids cause respiratory failure.

STAGGER WEED (Dicentra cucullaria); entire plant, esp. bulbs; plant contains convulsants including isoquinoline; plant also causes dermatitis.

Stanleya pinnata (PRINCES'S PLUME); entire plant; plant may absorb toxic levels of selenium.

STAR-OF-BETHLEHEM (Omithogalum umbellatum); entire plant, esp. bulbs; gastrointestinal tract affected by alkaloid toxins.

STEER'S HEAD (Dicentra uniflora); entire plant, esp. bulbs; plant contains convulsants including isc,quinoline; plant also causes dermatitis.

Stellaria media (CHICKWEED); plant may contain toxic levels of nitrates.

Stillingia treculeana (QUEEN'S DELIGHT); leaves, stems; plant is cyanogenetic.

ST. JOHNSWORT (Hypericum perforatum); entire plant causes photosensitization and contact dermatitis.

STRAWBERRY BUSH (Euonymus americanus); fruit; cardiovascular system affected by the glycosides evobioside, evomonoside, and evonoside.

STRYCHNINE (Strychnos nux-vomica); entire plant; nervous system affected by the alkaloid strychnine.

Strychnos nux-vomica (NUX-VOMICA TREE, STRYCHNINE); entire plant; nervous system affected by the alkaloid strychnine.

Suckleya suckleyana (POISON SUCKLEYA); leaves; plant is cyanogenetic.

SUDAN GRASS (Sorghum sp.); leaves; plant is cyanogenetic; may contain toxic levels of nitrates.

SUGAR BEET (Beta vulgaris); leaves; plant contains soluble oxalates; may contain toxic levels of nitrates.

SUMMER CYPRESS (Kochia scoparia); plant may contain toxic levels of nitrates.

SWEET BELLS (Leucothoe spp.); leaves, nectar; cardiovascular and nervous systems affected by plant toxins.

SWEETCLOVERS; WHITE, YELLOW (Melilotus spp.); plant may contain toxic levels of nitrates.

SWEET PEA (Lathyrus spp.); stems, seeds; nervous system affected by plant toxins.

SWEET POTATO VINES (Ipomea spp.); entire plant; plant contains LSD-related hallucinogens. may contain toxic levels of nitrates.

Symphoricarpus albus (SNOWBERRY); gastrointestinal tract affected by saponins; plant also causes dermatitis.

Symplocarpus foetidus (SKUNK CABBAGE); leaves; gastrointestinal tract affected by plant toxins; mouth irritated by plant raphides.

T

Tamus communis (BLACK BRYONY); toxic principles similar to Bryonia dioica.

Tanacetum vulgare (TANSY); leaves, stems; plant toxins may cause gastritis and convulsions; plant also causes dermatitis.

TANSY (Tanacetum vulgare); leaves, stems; plant toxins may cause gastritis and convulsions; plant also causes dermatitis.

TARBUSH (Flourensia cernua); fruit; gastrointestinal tract affected by plant toxins.

TARO (Alocasis sp., Colocasia esculenta): leaves, stems; mouth irritated by plant raphides.

TARWEED (Amsinckia intermedia); seed-like nutlets; plant may contain toxic levels of nitrates.

Taxus spp. (YEWS); entire plant, except red aril; gastrointestinal tract and cardiovascular system affected by volatile oils, and the alkaloids taxine and ephedrine.

Tetradymia glabrata (COAL-OIL BRUSH, HORSEBRUSH, SPRING RABBITBUSH); leaves: plant is hepatogenic.

Thevetia peruviana (YELLOW-BE-STILL-TREE, YELLOW OLEANDER); entire plant, esp. seeds; cardiovascular system affected by cardiac glycosides.

Thlaspi arvensi (FANWEED); seeds; gastrointestinal tract affected by mustard-oil.

THORNAPPLE (Datura stramonium); entire plant; nervous system affected by the alkaloids atropine, scopolamine, and hyoscyamine; may contain toxic levels of nitrates; plant also causes dermatitis.

THOROUGHWORT (Eupatorium sp.); plant may contain toxic levels of nitrates.

TOBACCO, TREE TOBACCO (Nicotiana spp.); leaves; nervous system affected by the alkaloids nicotine and pyridine.

TOMATO (Lycospersicon evculentum); vines. suckers: gastrointestinal tract affected by solanine glycoalkaloids.

Toxicodendron spp. (POISON IVY, POISON OAK, POISON SUMAC); leaves, bark and fruit cause dermatitis.

TRAVELLER'S JOY (Clematis spp.); entire plant; gastrointestinal tract and nervous system affected by plant toxins; plant also causes dermatitis.

TREFOIL (Lotus corniculatus); entire plant; plant is cyanogenetic.

Tribulus spp. (CALTROP, GOATHEAD, PUNCTURE VINE); plant is hepatogenic; may contain toxic levels of nitrates.

TRIFOLIATE ORANGE (Poncirus trifoliata); fruit; toxins affect gastrointestinal tract.

Trifolium spp. (CLOVERS); plant causes photosensitization and contact dermatitis; T repens (WHITE CLOVER) is cyanogenetic.

Triglochin maritima (ARROWGRASS, GOOSEGRASS, SOURGRASS); leaves; plant is cyanogenetic.

Triticum aestivum (WHEAT); nontoxic unless contaminated with fungi.

TRUMPET VINE (Campsis spp.); leaves, flowers; plant also causes dermatitis.

Tulipa spp. (TULIPS); bulbs; plant causes dermatitis.

TUMBLEWEED (Amaranthus hibridus); plant may contain toxic levels of nitrates.

TUNG NUT³, TUNG TREE (Aleurites fordii); entire plant; gastrointestinal tract affected by saponins and toxalbumins.

U

Urechites lutea (YELLOW NIGHTSHADE); leaves; cardiovascular system affected by the cardiac glycoside urechitoxin.

Urginea maritima (RED SQUILL, SEA ONION, SQUILL); bulbs; cardiovascular system affected by cardiac glycosides.

Urtica procera (NETTLE); plant may contain toxic levels of nitrates.

V

VELVET GRASS (Holcus lanatus); entire plant; plant is cyanogenetic.

VENUS FLYTRAP (Dionaea sp.); entire plant.

Veratrum spp. (FALSE HELLEBORE, INDIAN POKE); entire plant; cardiovascular system affected by alkaloid toxins; plant also causes dermatitis.

Verbesina encelioides (CROWNBEARD); plant may contain toxic levels of nitrates.

VETCH (Vicia spp.); seeds, moldy parts; plant causes photosensitization.

VETCHLING (Lathyrus spp.); seeds, stems; nervous system affected by plant toxins.

Vicia sativa (COMMON VETCH); seeds, moldy parts; plant is cyanogenetic; plant also causes photosensitization.

Vinca spp. (PERIWINKLE); entire plant; contains hallucinogens.

VIPER'S BUGLOSS (Echium plantagineum); entire plant; pyrrolizidine alkaloids cause hepatic venoocclusive disease (Budd-Chiari syndrome) in humans.

VIRGIN'S-BOWER (Clematis sp.); entire plant; gastrointestinal tract and nervous system affected by plant toxins; plant also causes dermatitis.

Viscum album (EUROPEAN MISTLETOE); leaves, stems; gastrointestinal tract affected by toxalbumins.

W

WAFER ASH (Ptelea baldwinii); plant causes photosensitization and contact dermatitis.

WAHOO (Euonymus atropurpureus); fruit; cardiovascular system affected by the glycosides evobioside, evomonoside, and evonoside.

WATER DROPWORT (Oenanthe crocata); entire plant; plant contains the convulsant oenanthetoxin.

WATER HEMLOCK (Cicuta spp.); entire plant, esp. roots; nervous system affected by the convulsant cicutoxin.

WEST INDIAN PINKROOT (Spigelia spp.); entire plant; nervous system affected by the toxin spigeline.

WHEAT (Triticum aestivum); nontoxic unless contaminated with fungi.

WHITE ANTHURIUM (Spathiphyllum spp.); entire plant; gastrointestinal tract affected by plant toxins; plant also causes dermatitis.

WHITE ARUM-LILY (Zantedeschia aethiopica); leaves; mouth irritated by plant raphides.

WHITE BRYONY (Bryonia dioica); gastrointestinal tract affected by the glycosides bryonin and bryonidin; plant also causes dermatitis.

WHITE CALLA (Zantedeschia aethiopica); leaves; mouth irritated by plant raphides.

WHITE CLOVER (Trifoliurn repens); plant is cyanogenetic.

WHITE OZIER (Leucothoe spp.); leaves, nectar; cardiovascular and nervous systems affected by plant toxins.

WHITE SNAKEROOT (Eupatorium sp.); leaves; plant may contain toxic levels of nitrates.

WHITE SWEETCLOVER (Melilotus sp.); plant may contain toxic levels of nitrates.

WHORLED BUTTERFLY (Asclepias sp.); leaves, stems; plant contains toxic resins.

WILD ARTICHOKE (Helianthus annuus); plant may contain toxic levels of nitrates.

WILD BALSAM-APPLE (Momordica charantia); seeds; gastrointestinal tract affected by toxalbumins.

WILD PARSNIP (Pastinaca sativa); plant causes dermatitis.

WILD PEA (Lathyrus spp.); stems, seeds; nervous system affected by plant toxins.

WILD SUNFLOWER (Helianthus annuus); plant may contain toxic levels of nitrates.

WINDFLOWER (Anemone spp., includes Pulsatilla); entire plant; gastrointestinal tract affected by the toxin protoanemonin; plant also causes dermatitis.

WINTERSWEET (Acokanthera spp.); seeds; cardiovascular system affected by cardiac glycosides.

Wisteria spp. (WISTERIA); entire plant; gastrointestinal tract affected by alkaloid toxins.

WITCHGRASS (Panicum capillare); plant is hepatogenic; may contain toxic levels of nitrates.

WONDER FLOWER (Ornithogalum thyrsoides); entire plant, esp. bulbs; gastrointestinal tract affected by alkaloid toxins.

WOOD LAUREL (Daphne sp.); entire plant esp. fruit and seeds; gastrointestinal tract and kidneys affected by coumarin glycosides; plant also causes dermatitis.

WOODY ASTERS (Xylorrhiza spp.); entire plant; plant may absorb toxic levels of selenium.

WORMSEED (Chenopodium ambrosioides); plant may contain toxic levels of nitrates.

X

Xanthium orlentale (COCKLEBUR); leaves at sprouted two-leaf stage, germinating seeds; plant contains hydroquinone; plant also causes dermatitis.

Xanthosoma spp. (BLUE TARO, CALADIUM, INDIAN KALE, MALANGA); leaves; mouth irritated by plant raphides; plant also causes dermatitis. Xylorrhiza spp. (WOODY ASTERS); entire plant; plant may absorb toxic levels of selenium.

Y

YAUPON (Ilex vomitoria); berries; gastrointestinal tract affected by saponins.

YELLOW ALLAMANDA (Allamanda cathartica); leaves, bark, fruit, sap, seeds; plant contains catharatic toxins.

YELLOW-BE-STILL TREE (Thevetia peruviana); entire plant, esp. seeds; cardiovascular system affected by cardiac glycosides.

YELLOW JESSAMINE (Gelsemium sempervirens); flowers, leaves, roots; plant contains convulsants, including indole; plant also causes dermatitis.

YELLOW LADY SLIPPER (Cypripedium parviflorum); leaves, stems; plant causes dermatitis.

YELLOW NIGHTSHADE (Urechites lutea); leaves; cardiovascular system affected by the cardiac glycoside urechitoxin.

YELLOW OLEANDER (Thevetia peruviana); entire plant, esp. seeds; cardiovascular system affected by cardiac glycosides.

YELLOW PINE FLAX (Linum neomexicanum); entire plant; plant is cyanogenetic.

YELLOW SWEETCLOVER (Melilotus sp.); plant may contain toxic levels of nitrates.

YEWS (Taxus spp.); entire plant, except red aril; gastrointestinal tract and cardiovascular system affected by volatile oils and the alkaloids taxine, and ephedrine.

Z

Zamia pumila (COONTIE, FALSE SAGO PALM, FLORIDA ARROWROOT); roots, trunk; gastrointestinal tract and nervous system affected by plant toxins.

Zantedeschia aethiopica (CALLA LILY, PIG LILY, WHITE ARUM LILY, WHITE CALLA); leaves; mouth irritated by plant raphides.

Zigadenus spp. (DEATH CAMAS); entire plant; cardiovascular system affected by alkaloid toxins.

The following footnotes are not contained in the Barnard book but I felt they might be helpful to readers.

1.    raphe: the ridge or line on a seed where it attaches to the ovule wall.

2.    aril: flesh, often brightly colored, cover of seed

3.    Tung: tung oil, commonly found in paints, stains, and finishes, is also toxic and such preparations should not be used in animal enclosures

Kingsbury, J. M. 1964. Poisonous Plants of the United States and Canada. Prentice-Hall, Inc., Englewood Cliffs, NJ.

Lampe, K.F. and McCann, M.A. 1985. American Medical Association Handbook of Poisonous and Injurious Plants. Am. Med. Assoc., Chicago, IL.

Muenscher, W. C. 1970. Poisonous Plants of the United States. The MacMillan Company, New York.

Ruhr, L. P. 1986. Ornamental toxic plants. In: Current Veterinary Therapy IX: Small Animal Practice. W.B. Saunders Company, Philadelphia, PA, pp. 216-220.

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