Toxic Plants English

Belladonna

Serious poisonings have occurred with medical use and when the plant has been tried for misuse purposes. However, accidental poisonings in children are rare. The plant is very rare and almost only found in botanical gardens.

Latin: Atropa belladonna

The plant is very poisonous. It contains, among other things, atropine which can cause anticholinergic symptoms with confusion and hallucinations.

Poisoning with berries of belladonna is relatively common in connection with plant poisonings. Of toxicological significance are the alkaloids hyoscyamine, atropine, and scopolamine. Poisoning can be treated with gastric lavage within the first hour after ingestion of the poison.

Atropine is obtained as a racemate of (S)- and (R)-hyoscyamine during drying or as a result of extraction.

Symptoms of poisoning: Dry mouth, facial flushing, palpitations, dizziness, wide pupils, blurred vision, restlessness, and hallucinations. In severe cases, possibly also unconsciousness and muscle involvement.

Treatment:

• Remove any plant residues from the child’s mouth
• Give the child something to drink
• Contact the Poison Information Center (010-456 67 00) or a doctor if you think your child has eaten belladonna
• Treatment will depend on how much has been eaten
• Poisoning can be treated with gastric lavage within the first hour after ingestion of the plant
• Activated charcoal can be administered as an adjunct or alone
• Specific antidote for CNS symptoms (confusion) is physostigmine

Bittersweet

Latin: Solanum dulcamara

Bittersweet is a semi-shrub with a creeping growth habit. Bittersweet contains the poison solanine, which is a glycoalkaloid. The whole plant is poisonous, with the highest concentration in the stem and leaves. Larger doses (more than three cups of tea daily) of tea made from leaves and young shoots can lead to side effects such as nausea, difficulty swallowing, and cramps.

First aid for poisoning of Bittersweet in children

• Remove any plant residues from the child’s mouth
• Give the child something to drink
• Contact the Poison Information Center (010-456 67 00) or a doctor if you think your child has eaten Bittersweet
• Treatment will depend on how much has been eaten

Henbane

Latin: Hyoscyamus niger

The plant is poisonous. Especially the root contains, among other things, atropine. Serious poisonings have occurred with medical use and when the plant has been tried for misuse purposes. However, accidental poisonings in children are rare.

Symptoms of poisoning: Dry mouth, facial flushing, palpitations, dizziness, wide pupils, blurred vision, restlessness, and hallucinations. In severe cases, possibly also unconsciousness and muscle involvement.

First aid for poisoning of Henbane in children

• Remove any plant residues from the child’s mouth
• Give the child something to drink
• Contact the Poison Information Center (010-456 67 00) or a doctor if you think your child has eaten Henbane
• Treatment will depend on how much has been eaten

Foxglove

Latin: Digitalis purpurea

The plant is very toxic to eat. Especially the leaves contain, among other things, digitalis, which can affect the heart. Serious poisonings have occurred after ingestion and when mistaken for other plants. However, accidental poisonings in children are rare. Poisoning does not occur through skin absorption, and it is not dangerous to pick the flower and put your fingers in your mouth afterward.

Symptoms of poisoning: Can appear after several hours. Nausea, vomiting, fatigue, and in pronounced cases, heart rhythm disturbances.

First aid for poisoning of Foxglove

• Remove any plant residues from the mouth
• Give the affected person something to drink
• Contact the Poison Information Center (010-456 67 00) or a doctor if you think your child has eaten Foxglove
• Treatment will depend on how much has been eaten

Poison Ivy

Latin: Toxicodendron diversilobum

Poison ivy is a plant in the sumac family. The most well-known name for the plant is the English name “Western Poison Oak”. It causes severe allergic contact dermatitis, poison ivy dermatitis, similar to its relative climbing sumac. Poison ivy is common on the west coast of the USA and Canada, while climbing sumac is common on the east coast of the USA.

Treatment:

• Wash the skin thoroughly with plenty of soap and water
• Rinse the eyes with saline solution if eye irritation occurs
• Protect the skin from sunlight for a week even if local symptoms are absent.
• Treat with hydrocortisone cream for five days
• Apply cooling balm with menthol for a couple of days
• Give antihistamines if necessary to reduce the reaction

Laburnum

Latin: Laburnum species. Laburnum species

Laburnum is an ornamental shrub. There are several species, including Adam’s Laburnum, Alpine Laburnum, Blue Laburnum, and Hybrid Laburnum. Not all species bear fruit. All species contain toxins, and it is usually the pods with seeds that attract children. A pod contains 1-5 seeds.

Laburnum is a poisonous plant. Especially the seeds contain cytisine. Ingestion of a few seeds can cause symptoms in children, but serious poisonings are rare. Laburnum is sometimes mistaken for the Siberian Pea Shrub, which is harmless. The pods of Laburnum are bumpy with seeds, unlike the Siberian Pea Shrub, whose pea pods are narrow and even in thickness.

Symptoms of poisoning: Can appear within half an hour to a couple of hours. Nausea, vomiting, dizziness, lethargy, palpitations, wide pupils, and fever. In severe cases, possibly also muscle twitches, consciousness, and respiratory impact.

First aid for poisoning of Laburnum in children

• Remove any plant residues from the child’s mouth
• Give the child something to drink
• Contact the Poison Information Center (010-456 67 00) or a doctor if you think your child has eaten Laburnum
• Treatment will depend on how much has been eaten
• Poisoning can be treated with gastric lavage within the first hour after ingestion of the plant
• Activated charcoal can be administered as an adjunct or alone

Yew

Latin: Taxus baccata

Yew is a coniferous shrub often cultivated as an ornamental plant, but it also grows wild in parts of Sweden.

The plant is toxic. It contains, among other things, taxin and an irritating oil. The red flesh of the berries is harmless. Consumption of needles and chewed seeds poses a risk of poisoning. Severe poisoning is rare in humans.

Symptoms: Gastrointestinal issues (e.g., stomach ache, nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea). In severe cases, possible cardiac, respiratory, and consciousness disturbances.

First Aid for Yew Poisoning in Children

• Remove any plant remnants from the child’s mouth
• Give the child something to drink
• Contact the Poison Information Center (010-456 67 00) or a doctor if you believe your child has ingested Yew
• Treatment will depend on the amount ingested

Giant Hogweed

Latin: Heracleum mantegazzianum

Giant Hogweed, previously also called Giant Cow Parsnip, is a species in the Apiaceae family.

The sap from the plant is phototoxic, similar to the sap of Tromsø Palm. When skin that has come into contact with the sap is exposed to sunlight or ultraviolet light (photosensitization), it causes phototoxic dermatitis. The skin becomes red and severely itchy, and within two days, burn-like blisters form. The blisters create purple or black wounds, which can be difficult to heal. Hospital care may be needed, especially if larger skin areas are affected. If plant sap contacts the skin, thorough and immediate washing is necessary, and the skin should be protected from sunlight for at least one week.

The reaction is caused by furanocoumarins in the leaves, roots, stems, flowers, and seeds. Poisoning through the ingestion of a small amount of Giant Hogweed has not been documented.

Treatment:

• Thoroughly wash the skin with soap and water
• Rinse eyes with physiological saline if irritated
• Protect the skin from sunlight for one week even if there are no local symptoms
• Treat with hydrocortisone cream for five days
• Apply cooling balm with menthol for a couple of days
• Give antihistamines if needed to reduce the reaction

Gloriosa Lily

Latin: Gloriosa superba

The plant is highly toxic. The root tuber, in particular, contains colchicine. Accidental poisoning in children is rare.

Symptoms: Can appear after several hours. Stomach pain, vomiting, and diarrhea, which can be severe and persistent, leading to fluid loss. In severe cases, possibly fever, circulatory, respiratory, and renal effects later in the course.

First Aid for Gloriosa Lily Poisoning in Children

• Remove any plant remnants from the child’s mouth
• Give the child something to drink
• The child should be given activated charcoal (25 g)
• Contact the Poison Information Center (010-456 67 00) or a doctor if you believe your child has ingested Gloriosa Lily
• Treatment will depend on the amount ingested

Lily of the Valley

Latin: Convallaria majalis

Lily of the Valley usually grows in deciduous forests, coniferous forests, and heaths. The toxic plant consists of a rhizome, elongated green leaves, and white bell-shaped flowers.

The leaves are easily mistaken for the edible wild garlic that grows in the same areas, so it is wise to be cautious not to bring Lily of the Valley home for your meal.

The plant is toxic. Flowers and leaves contain substances that are irritating and can affect the heart. Severe poisoning is rare. Drinking the flower water is harmless. Lily of the Valley is rarely fatal, but seek medical attention if more than five berries, flowers, or plant parts are ingested.

Symptoms: Gastrointestinal issues (e.g., stomach ache, nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea). Discomfort. In severe cases, possible heart rhythm disturbances.

First Aid for Lily of the Valley Poisoning in Children

• Remove any plant remnants from the child’s mouth
• Give the child something to drink
• The child should be given activated charcoal (25 g)
• Contact the Poison Information Center (010-456 67 00) or a doctor if you believe your child has ingested Lily of the Valley
• Treatment will depend on the amount ingested

Burning Bush

Latin: Dictamnus albus

The Burning Bush, also called Dictamnus, is a species in the Rutaceae family.

The species occurs naturally in temperate regions of southern and central Europe, and eastwards to the Himalayas and temperate Asia. The plant is cultivated in Sweden as a garden plant. The name “Burning Bush” refers to the biblical story of how God is said to have appeared to Moses in a burning bush.

The Burning Bush is a polymorphic, upright perennial herb or subshrub that grows 30 to 60 centimeters tall. The stems are soft-haired with dark glandular hairs. The leaves are sessile and opposite, pinnate with 5 to 13 leaflets, which are 3.5 to 10 centimeters long and 1.2 to 3.7 centimeters wide, elliptic to narrowly ovate, serrate, acuminate to long-pointed, and soft-haired. The flowers are arranged in a terminal inflorescence, a raceme, with bracts at each pedicel.

The plant, especially the seed capsule, contains an oil that is irritating to the skin, particularly if the skin is exposed to sunlight (phototoxic reaction). Poisoning through ingestion of the plant is not known.

Symptoms: Burn-like symptoms with severe skin irritation, redness, and blisters. Symptoms can persist for weeks, possibly resulting in scarring and darkening of the skin.

Treatment:

• Thoroughly wash the skin with soap and water
• Rinse eyes with physiological saline if irritated
• Protect the skin from sunlight for one week even if there are no local symptoms
• Treat with hydrocortisone cream for five days
• Apply cooling balm with menthol for a couple of days
• Give antihistamines if needed to reduce the reaction

Oleander

Latin: Nerium oleander

Oleander is a species in the monotypic genus Nerium in the Apocynaceae family. It is also called nerium or rosebay. It is likely native to the Mediterranean region, from southern Spain to Syria and Jordan. Elsewhere, it has become naturalized in most warm areas. In Sweden, oleander can be cultivated as a potted plant.

The plant is highly toxic. It contains substances that can affect the heart. Severe poisoning has occurred after ingestion and misidentification. Accidental poisoning in children is rare.

Symptoms: Can appear after several hours. Nausea, vomiting, fatigue, and heart rhythm disturbances.

First Aid for Oleander Poisoning in Children

• Remove any plant remnants from the child’s mouth
• Give the child something to drink
• The child should be given activated charcoal (25 g)
• Contact the Poison Information Center (010-456 67 00) or a doctor if you believe your child has ingested Oleander
• Treatment will depend on the amount ingested

Hemlock

Latin: Conium maculatum

Hemlock is relatively rare in southern Sweden but can be found along the coasts. It is primarily found near farms and in gardens.

The plant is highly toxic. It contains coniin. Hemlock is distinguished by a nauseating smell reminiscent of mouse urine. The stem is glossy, smooth, and purple-spotted at the base. The lower leaves resemble those of Cow Parsley but are larger, dark green, and completely hairless. They also have lobes with small white tips. The fruits are 2.5 to 3.5 mm and are green-brown, almost spherical with knobby ridges.

Severe poisonings have occurred. The taste is reported to be very unpleasant, thus the risk of poisoning through accident is considered low. However, misidentifications with edible plants have occurred. Hemlock can be distinguished from Cow Parsley by having both large and small leaves, while Cow Parsley only has small leaves. Additionally, Hemlock has characteristic red spots on the stem, while Cow Parsley can become reddish at the base but never spotted.

Symptoms of poisoning: Can occur suddenly with salivation, vomiting, and thirst. In severe cases, also speech and swallowing difficulties as well as muscle effects.

First Aid for Hemlock Poisoning

• Remove any plant remnants from the mouth
• Give the affected person something to drink
• Contact the Poison Information Center (010-456 67 00) or a doctor if you believe your child has ingested Hemlock
• The child should be given activated charcoal (25 g)
• Treatment will depend on the amount ingested

Castor Bean

Latin: Ricinus communis

The plant is highly toxic. The seeds, in particular, contain the toxic protein ricin. Severe poisonings through ingestion are rare. However, a chewed seed can pose a risk as the toxin is concentrated in the seed capsule. The seeds are bean-like, hard, decorative, usually marbled in white, grey, brown, or black. A very small amount of ricin is deadly. It is more potent than cyanide. An amount as small as a grain of table salt can be sufficient to kill an adult if ingested, inhaled, or injected.

Signs and symptoms of ricin poisoning usually begin within 4-6 hours after exposure. Death can occur between 36 and 72 hours after exposure. The resulting symptoms depend on the amount of the toxin and the method by which the individual was exposed.

There are no specific treatments, antidotes, or vaccines for ricin poisoning. However, castor oil is safe to ingest.

Symptoms of ricin poisoning depend on the amount of toxin and the method of exposure, but can include fever, vomiting, severe cough, abdominal pain, diarrhea, dehydration, flu-like symptoms, and death.

Individuals injected with ricin, either in pellet form or dissolved in a liquid, may experience pain and swelling at the injection site. They may also experience flu-like symptoms, such as nausea, vomiting, and body aches. More severe symptoms occur later, and a critical life-threatening syndrome will develop. The affected area may be painful. The skin should also be examined for possible foreign bodies. Physical findings on the skin may occur before or at the time of flu-like symptoms.

Symptoms: Vomiting, abdominal pain, and diarrhea, which can be severe and persistent, leading to dehydration. In severe cases, possibly kidney and systemic effects later in the course. Symptoms may be delayed for several hours.

Treatment:

• Remove any plant remnants from the child’s mouth
• Give the child something to drink
• Contact the Poison Information Center (010-456 67 00) for ricin poisoning
• Treatment will depend on the amount ingested
• Poisoning can be treated with gastric lavage within the first hour after ingestion of the plant
• Activated charcoal should be administered as an adjunct or alone
• Rehydration with isotonic fluid
• Severe cases may require intensive care with supportive treatment for circulation, kidney function, and respiration

Jimsonweed

Latin: Datura stramonium

The plant is highly toxic. Especially the seeds, leaves, and flowers contain substances like atropine. Severe poisonings have occurred after ingestion and when the plant was used for abuse. Accidental poisonings in children are rare. Other Datura species pose similar risks.

Symptoms of poisoning: Dry mouth, facial flushing, heart palpitations, dizziness, dilated pupils, blurred vision, agitation, and hallucinations. In severe cases, possibly unconsciousness and muscle effects.

First Aid for Jimsonweed Poisoning

• Remove any plant remnants from the mouth
• Give the affected person something to drink
• Contact the Poison Information Center (010-456 67 00) or a doctor if you believe your child has ingested Jimsonweed
• Treatment will depend on the amount ingested
• The specific antidote for CNS symptoms (confusion) is physostigmine

Water Hemlock (Cicuta virosa)

Latin: Cicuta virosa

Water Hemlock is quite common throughout most of the country. It only grows in wet and marshy areas, near shores, streams, or damp places, but not in the mountains. It is most common in southern and central Sweden. When it blooms in late summer, it resembles cow parsley, leading many to mistakenly pick it as a flower.

Water Hemlock is a highly toxic plant. The root contains cicutoxin. Ingestion can be life-threatening; even small amounts can cause severe poisoning. Deaths have occurred due to confusion with edible roots. The rootstock and lower part of the stem are hollow with cross-partitions and contain a yellowish, oily plant sap where the toxin is concentrated. Water Hemlock grows near shores, streams, or damp places. The root can become accessible during digging or drought.

Symptoms of poisoning: Symptoms can appear suddenly within half an hour, with excessive salivation, stomach pain, vomiting, diarrhea, persistent convulsions, unconsciousness, and respiratory paralysis.

First Aid for Water Hemlock Poisoning in Children

• Remove any plant remnants from the child’s mouth
• Give the child something to drink
• The child should receive medical charcoal (25 g)
• Contact the Poison Information Center (010-456 67 00) or a doctor if you believe your child has eaten Water Hemlock
• Treatment will depend on the amount ingested

Monkshood

Northern Monkshood, Garden Monkshood, True Monkshood. There are several Aconitum species.

Latin: Aconitum napellus, Aconitum carmichaelii.

In northern and central Sweden, Monkshood grows wild, primarily found along mountain slopes and shores in the northern forest areas. It can also form large stands in abandoned farmland. Monkshoods are perennial and 1-3 meters tall. The flowers are white or blue and shaped like helmets or upside-down pots.

Monkshood is very toxic. The seeds and root contain, among other things, the toxic substance aconitine. Severe poisonings and deaths have occurred after ingestion due to confusion with edible roots. Accidental poisonings in children occur but are rare.

Symptoms of poisoning: Symptoms can appear suddenly within an hour after ingestion, with a burning sensation in the mouth and throat, vomiting, diarrhea, excessive salivation, cold sweats, tingling sensations, heart rhythm disturbances, muscle weakness, and respiratory paralysis.

First Aid for Monkshood Poisoning in Children

• Remove any plant remnants from the child’s mouth
• Give the child something to drink
• The child should receive medical charcoal (25 g)
• Contact the Poison Information Center (010-456 67 00) or a doctor if you believe your child has eaten Monkshood
• Treatment will depend on the amount ingested

Mezereon

Latin: Daphne mezereum

The plant is toxic. The bark and berries, in particular, contain daphnetoxin and mezerein, which are strongly irritating. Severe poisonings are rare.

Symptoms: Burning sensation in the mouth and throat, swelling, blisters, excessive salivation, difficulty swallowing, vomiting, stomach pain, and diarrhea. In severe cases, possibly also unconsciousness, convulsions, and kidney impact. Plant sap can cause severe eye irritation and skin irritation.

Treatment:

• Remove any plant remnants from the child’s mouth
• Give the child something to drink
• Wash the skin thoroughly with plenty of soap and water
• Rinse the eyes with saline solution in case of eye irritation
• Contact the Poison Information Center (010-456 67 00) or a doctor if you believe your child has eaten Mezereon
• Treatment will depend on the amount ingested
• Poisoning can be treated with gastric lavage within the first hour after ingestion of the plant
• Medical charcoal can be administered as an addition or alone

Autumn Crocus

Latin: Colchicum autumnale. A crocus-like plant.

The plant is very toxic. The seeds, bulbs, and flowers contain colchicine. Severe poisonings and deaths have occurred after ingestion and confusion with, for example, ramsons. The concentration of colchicine in the leaves varies greatly. Anything between three and 60 grams can be a lethal dose.

Accidental poisonings in children are rare. Autumn Crocus resembles crocus. Most Autumn Crocus species bloom in the fall after the leaves have withered. Autumn Crocus has six stamens, while crocus has three.

Symptoms of poisoning: Symptoms can appear after several hours. Thirst, severe vomiting, stomach pain, bloody diarrhea, and a burning sensation in the mouth. In severe cases, possibly also fever, blood impact, circulation, respiratory, and kidney impact later in the course.

First Aid for Autumn Crocus Poisoning

• Remove any plant remnants from the mouth
• Give the affected person something to drink
• Contact the Poison Information Center (010-456 67 00) or a doctor if you believe your child has eaten Autumn Crocus
• Treatment will depend on the amount ingested
• Poisoning can be treated with gastric lavage within the first hour after ingestion of the plant
• Medical charcoal can be administered as an addition or alone

Angel’s Trumpet

Latin: Brugmansia suaveolens (Datura suaveolens)

The plant is very toxic. The seeds, leaves, and flowers contain, among other things, atropine. Severe poisonings have occurred after ingestion and when the plant was tried for abuse purposes. Accidental poisonings in children are rare. Other datura species can pose similar risks after ingestion.

Symptoms of poisoning: Dry mouth, facial flushing, palpitations, dizziness, dilated pupils, blurred vision, restlessness, and hallucinations. In severe cases, possibly also unconsciousness and muscle impact.

First Aid for Angel’s Trumpet Poisoning

• Remove any plant remnants from the mouth
• Give the affected person something to drink
• Contact the Poison Information Center (010-456 67 00) or a doctor if you believe your child has eaten Angel’s Trumpet
• Treatment will depend on the amount ingested
• Specific antidote for CNS symptoms (confusion) is physostigmine