CAROLINA HERBS!!!

In the United States there are in the neighborhood of 500 poisonous plants, flowers, shrubs, andherbs.The majority of them will just create a bad rash or other reaction, or will make a person sick for a day or so.But, there are some that are fatal.However, in most cases, not ALL of the plant is poisonous. In this article I will mention some plants that most people are familiar with andwill explain what part of the plant is poisonous and the symptoms of poisoning that you should look for.

THIS IS PART ONE:

ANGEL’S TRUMPETof the NIGHTSHADE FAMILY.This is an ornamental shrub and has a sweet musk scent, with trumpet shaped white flowers that open at night.Generally this plant grows outdoors in California and Florida.THE PARTS THAT ARE POISONOUSARE:leaves, juice and seeds.Signs of poisoning :the symptoms may appear in a few minutes after drinking a “tea” made from the plant, but not for several hours after eating the seeds, uncooked leaves or sucking the juice. SYMPTOMS: extreme thirst, blurred vision, high fever, rapid and weak heartbeat; convulsions and coma.

BLEEDING HEARTof the FUMITORY FAMILY.This is a perennial herb . ALL PARTS of this herb are poisonous.SYMPTOMS:nervous symptoms are trembling, loss of balance, staggering, weakness, difficulty in breathing and convulsions.

BUTTERCUPof the CROWFOOT FAMILY.This is a perennial herb and is the common buttercup found through the United States in fields, pastures and meadows.ALL PARTS, except the seeds are poisonous.SYMPTOMS OF POISONING: blisters or inflammation around the mouth, irritated, skin, stomach pains, vomiting, diarrhea, and jerking spasms, temporary blindness and convulsions.

CALADIUMof the ARUM FAMILY. These are  either inside or outside  ornamentals . There are about 12 to 14 species of this genius, and EVERY species of CALADIUM has a bitter poisonous juice .ALL PARTS of this plant are poisonous. SYMPTOMS : soon after eating a small amount of the leaves the mouth will burn and swell. There will be an intense burning inside the throat along with a disturbed stomach, vomiting and diarrhea. After the tongue and throat swell, breathing may become difficult. Due to the blocking of the air passage, death may occur.

DEATH CAMASof the LILY FAMILY Zigadenus veneosus. This is a perennial plant thatis grown from Canada, to Florida. You will find this plant also in Texas, New Mexico, Arizona and California.ALL PARTS of this plant are poisonous.SYMPTOMS:symptoms occurfrom 1 ½ to 8 hours after eating parts of the plant.They consist of abdominal pains, nausea, vomiting, trembling, muscular weakness, struggling for breath, lowered body temperature, coma and death.

DUMCANE , Dieffenbachiaof THE ARUM FAMILY.This is an evergreen foliage plant widely grown in greenhouses, homes , restaurants, and lobbies as potted ornamentals.The LEAVES AND STEMS ARE POISONOUS. SYMPTOMS:Biting or chewing the stem or leaves produces intense burning and irritation of the lips, mouth and tongue. If these areas become swollen there will be intense pain, thus causing choking. The swelling can make the tongue motionless. Death may occur if the base of the tongue swells enough to block air passage of the throat.

ENGLISH HOLLYof the HOLLY FAMILYThis is the familiar Christmas Holly and generally grows in Oregon and Washington state.THE BERRIES are the poisonous part.SYMPTOMS:large amounts (I do not know what is considered as large amounts) causes nausea, vomiting, diarrhea and depression of the nervous system. The result may be fatal.

ENGLISH IVYof the GINSENG FAMILY. This is an evergreen vine cultivated as a ground cover. The LEAVES and BERRIES are poisonous.SYMPTOMS:severstomach pains, diarrhea, labored breathing, coma.It is possibly fatal.

FOXGLOVE of the FIGWORT FAMILY.Poisonous parts are LEAVES, FLOWERS and SEEDS . The leaves are the source of the drug digitalis. However, overdoses result in death.Severe poisoning comes from eating the fresh or dried leaves which do not lose their toxicity by cooking. SYMPTOMS: bloody diarrhea, severe headache, mental confusion, blurred vision, trembling, irregular heartbeat, convulsions and death.

HYDRANGEAHydrangea macrophyllaof the SAXIFRAGE FAMILY.A/k/a hortensia.commonly planted as an ornamental.The BUDS, LEAVES and BRANCHES are poisonous.SYMPTOMS;diarrhea with blood, rapid breathing and heartbeat, nervous excitement, convulsions and can be fatal.

LILY OF THE VALLEY of the LILY FAMILY.ALL PARTS ARE POISONOUS, especially the leaves, flower, berries and rootstocks.They contain dangerous amounts of cardiac glycosides.Even drinking the water from a vase containing a bouquet of lily of the valleycan cause death.SYPMTOMS:irregular heart and pulse beat, mental confusion, extreme weakness, depression and collapse of circulation and death. The reaction is much like that of digitalis.

More to follow later.

Information if from the book: Know Your Poisonous Plantsby Wilma Roberts James