Poisonous trees, flowers and other landscaping plants around the home
Posted in Healthy Home & Garden on April 12, 2014. Last modified on April 21, 2019. Read disclaimer.
In the two previous sections, we've looked at potentially dangerous house plants, vegetables and poisonous plants we may encounter in the wild. We've also talked about the three most common ways that plants can poison us as well as what to do if you believe someone has been poisoned.
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Here is a partial list of the poisonous flowers, trees and landscaping plants that are fairly common to Western North Carolina. It is not intended to be an all-inclusive list of all known toxic plants or all the possible symptoms that can be caused by these plants.
| YARD PLANT | TOXIC PART | SYMPTOMS |
|---|---|---|
| Amaryllis, narcissus daffodil, tulip, hyacinth |
bulb | vomiting, diarrhea, skin irritation |
| Andromeda | all | vomiting, weakness |
| Autumn crocus | bulbs, flowers | vomiting, diarrhea, respiratory problems, possible death |
| Azalea | all, including flower nectar | vomiting, drowsiness, convulsions, possible death |
| Black locust | inner bark, sprouts, seeds | vomiting, diarrhea, weakness |
| Boxwood | all | vomiting, diarrhea, death possible from large doses |
| Caladium | all | mouth irritation, nausea |
| Cardinal flower | all | vomiting, weakness, headache, convulsions, possible death |
| Castor bean | all, especially seeds | vomiting, diarrhea, skin irritation, death |
| Cherry, peach, apricot | broken seeds, pits, partially wilted leaves, twigs | weakness, convulsions, possible death |
| Clematis | all | skin irritation, vomiting, diarrhea, dizziness |
| Delphinium | seeds, young plants | nausea, skin irritation, death possible |
| Doghobble, ferterbush | leaves | nausea |
| English Ivy | all | skin irritation, diarrhea, vomiting, coma, death possible |
| Four O'Clock | roots, seeds | vomiting, diarrhea |
| Foxglove | all | vomiting, diarrhea, irregular heart beat, possible death |
| Golden chain tree | seeds, bark | vomiting, weakness, death possible from large doses |
| Holly | berries | nausea, vomiting |
| Hyacinth bean vine | raw beans | vomiting, weakness |
| Hydrangea | leaves, buds, branches | vomiting, diarrhea, weakness |
| Iris | roots | skin irritation, vomiting |
| Carolina Jessamine vine | flowers, nectar | nausea, weakness, convulsions, death possible |
| Lantana | unripe berries | vomiting, weakness, death possible |
| Lenten rose, Christmas rose | roots, leaves | vomiting, weakness |
| Lily-of-the-valley | all | vomiting, diarrhea, heart irregularity, possible death |
| Lupine | seeds | slow respiration & heart |
| Mountain laurel | all, including flower nectar | vomiting, drowsiness, convulsions, death possible |
| Privet | foliage, berries | vomiting, diarrhea, irregular pulse |
| Rhododendron | all | vomiting, drowsiness, convulsions, death possible |
| Star-of-Bethlehem | all | vomiting, diarrhea |
| Tansy | all | stomach pain, rapid pulse |
| Wisteria | seeds, bark | vomiting, diarrhea |
| Yaupon holly | leaves, fruit | vomiting |
| Yew | berries | vomiting, diarrhea, heart irregularity |
ALSO SEE: Poisonous house plants and garden vegetables | Poisonous wild plants in North Carolina
Sources: Potentially Poisonous Plants in the Home and Landscape, Linda G. Blue, Extension Agent, Agriculture - Urban Horticulture, North Carolina Cooperative Extension, Buncombe County Center
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