Toxic Plants

Alphabetical by scientific name.

Toxicity Class (third column in table below)

1. Major Toxicity: These plants may cause serious illness or death. If ingested, immediately call the Poison Control Center or your doctor.
2. Minor Toxicity: Ingestion of these plants may cause minor illnesses such as vomiting or diarrhea. If ingested, call the Poison Control Center or your doctor.
3. Oxalates: The juice or sap of these plants contains oxalate crystals. These needle-shaped crystals can irritate the skin, mouth, tongue, and throat, resulting in throat swelling, breathing difficulties, burning pain, and stomach upset. Call the Poison Control Center or your doctor if any of these symptoms appear following ingestion of plants.
4. Dermatitis: The juice, sap, or thorns of these plants may cause a skin rash or irritation. Wash the affected area of skin with soap and water as soon as possible after contact. The rashes may be very serious and painful. Call the Poison Control Center or your doctor if symptoms appear following contact with the plants.
5. Animal toxicity: Pets, especially cats and dogs, frequently ingest plants. If a plant is known to be hazardous to humans, it will probably be toxic for animals as well. For a list of plants which are toxic to animals, call your local University of California Cooperative Extension office and ask for Publication 21564.

1. Information expanded from the publication "Know Your Plants... Safe or Poisonous?" by Elise Stone (California Poison Control System), and Ann King (University of California Cooperative Extension); 1997.

2. Plant lists in this database compiled by:

Ann King Filmer, Ph.D.
Director of Communications
College of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences, Dean's Office
e-mail: afilmer@ucdavis.edu

3. With much appreciation to Dr. Olga Wu, formerly with the California Poison Control System, for her technical assistance with reviews of plant lists.