Poisonous Plants

She comes on like a rose but everybody knows
She'll get you in Dutch
You can look but you better not touch

Poison iv-y-y-y-y, poison iv-y-y-y-y
Late at night while you're sleepin' poison ivy comes a'creepin'
Arou-ou-ou-ou-ou-ound

The Coasters, Poison Ivy (Leiber & Stoller, 1959)

  Internet Archive

The 1950’s were a more innocent time than today. In their 1959 hit Poison Ivy, The Coasters weren’t singing about poison ivy, the plant, but about another kind of poison, which wasn’t discussed much in public then. Today, however, we’ll stick with the plant and other plants used for beautification in and around Florida homes that are irritating if they come in contact with the skin, like poison ivy, and others that are toxic if eaten.

Poison Ivy

Poison ivy grows throughout most of North America, and is normally found in wooded areas. The plant is extremely common in suburban and exurban areas of New England, the Mid-Atlantic, and southeastern United States. It is not particularly sensitive to soil moisture, although it does not grow in desert or arid conditions. It grows in a wide variety of soil types. Poison ivy is dioecious; flowering occurs from May to July. The yellowish- or greenish-white flowers are typically inconspicuous and are located in clusters up to 8 cm (3.1 in) above the leaves. The berry-like fruit, a drupe, is mature by August to November with a grayish-white color.

The following four characteristics are sufficient to identify poison ivy in most situations: (a) clusters of three leaflets, (b) alternate leaf arrangement, (c) lack of thorns, and (d) each group of three leaflets grows on its own stem, which connects to the main vine.

The appearance of poison ivy can vary greatly between environments, and even within a single area. Identification by experienced people is often made difficult by leaf damage, the plant's leafless condition during winter and unusual growth forms due to environmental or genetic factors.

Urushiol-induced contact dermatitis is the allergic reaction caused by poison ivy. In extreme cases, a reaction can progress to anaphylaxis. Around 15 to 30 percent of people have no allergic reaction. Most people will become sensitized with repeated or more concentrated exposure to urushiol, as the immune system has been trained to act with greater degree. Over 350,000 people are affected by poison ivy annually in the U.S.

Poisonous plants are usually grouped by poison type. In addition to poison ivy, other skin irritants include the Brazilian pepper. Both plants are poisonous if swallowed or smoke from burning plant is inhaled.

Oxalate

This group includes mostly outdoor ornamental plants such as arrowhead, dieffenbachia, caladium, philodendron, peace lily and pothos. Oxalate crystals in these plants’ stems, roots and leaves cause immediate pain, burning and irritation on the lips, mouth and throat and can cause slurred speech.

Cardiac Glycoside

Oleander, lily of the valley and foxglove are all poisonous. While some skin irritation is possible, most poisoning occurs when these plants are eaten or by breathing in the smoke from burning plants. Symptoms include nausea, vomiting, stomach cramps, dizziness, low blood pressure, slow heart rate and seizures.

Toxalbumin, Ricin

When chewed or split open, castor beans and rosary peas can cause severe vomiting, diarrhea, burning or corroding of the esophagus, shock, and multi-organ failure. These are mostly outdoor ornamental plants.

Colchicine

Ingestion of glory lily or autumn crocus can cause vomiting, diarrhea, fever, shock, and multi-organ failure. These are also mostly outdoor ornamental plants.

Triterpenoid

Common lantana and chinaberry are examples of triterpenoids, which can cause skin irritations and be poisonous. The berries of these outdoor ornamental plants are especially poisonous. If eaten, symptoms include vomiting, diarrhea, stomach cramps, fever, seizures and shallow or difficult breathing.

Gastro-Intestinal

Croton, poinsettia and American holly can all cause skin irritation and/or rash from sap inside the plants. If eaten in quantity, they can cause nausea and/or diarrhea.

Anti Cholinergic

When the flowers, leaves or seeds of angel’s trumpet are eaten or taken in as a brewed tea, hallucinations, dry mouth, muscle weakness, increased blood pressure and pulse, fever, dilated pupils and paralysis may result.

Wild Mushrooms

Symptoms of these mostly outdoor wild plants vary by species and range from none to severe gastrointestinal distress to hallucinations, acute renal failure and even death.

Recommended First Aid Steps

Remove all plant pieces from mouth.

Rinse mouth and lips with cool water.

Offer sips of water to drink.

Wash hands with soap and water.

Call the Poison Center immediately at 1-800-222-1222.

Control of Poisonous Plants

Herbicides alone seldom provide a long term solution to poisonous plant problems and several factors must be considered in the selection and use of herbicides, including selectivity in controlling the target species without adversely affecting associated vegetation. The experts at Insect Pest Control can help you evaluate what’s most effective for your home. Call us today for a FREE consultation.

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