Poisonous Plants - at a glance

[Tig]

I don't think we've got any reference information on this, and having watched GW this week where Monty was adding various flowers to his salad I thought it might be useful to have access to a list of what is poisonous!!!!

The most comprehensive list I could find was from the RHS on 'Potentially Harmful Plants', also useful if you have children using the garden to warn them what not to touch, and advise them to always wash their hands thoroughly after handling plants, seeds and flowers.

apps.rhs.org.uk/advicesearch/Profile.aspx?pid=524#section4

[Rosefriend]

It's a good list Tig - what is interesting is that some of the poisonous ones are plants that have very good reputations in the Homoeopathic world - such as St. John's Wort.

I also didn't realise that Colocasia esculenta is a skin and eye irritant plant - I touch that plant whenever I go by - I love the feel of it. Weird that it is classed as poisonous as the leaves can be eaten and the bulbs (taro) are renown...

Suppose that, like toadstools, some are only poisonous raw or untreated etc..

RF

[Ladygardener]

That's quite an extensive list Tig, I've bookmarked it on my pc for reference thanks. It's interesting that Aloe is on the list, I use it all the time and have a couple of plants. I rub the sap on cuts etc.....

edit I've looked it up and am happy to keep on rubbing the gel on cuts etc..... as in this way it's fine. It does'nt really surprise me that a lot of the plants that have been used in medicine are toxic, it depends on the form that's used and how much and in what way.

[Jasmine]

Interesting stuff!
I was reading about how, during the war, when folk were being encouraged to eat everything possible, that it was recommended that the leaves of rhubarb be eaten as well as the stalks until folk got ill because of the oxalic acid in the leaves. Interesting that one part of a plant can be harmful and one part can be eaten!

[Ladygardener]

There's always been a lot of talk about Rhubarb Jasmine. Folk worrying that the leaves should'nt be put into the compost bin etc..... I do like Rhubarb but am always careful to cut the stalks well below the leaves. I handle the leaves without gloves 'tho, as with Hyacinth bulbs too, I only recently found out they are toxic.

[Rosefriend]

I think like most things you can overdo it but it also depends on how sensitive a person is. I remember having a conversation with my neighbour who said that she wouldn't have anything in the garden that was poisonous and my answer was that she would have to get rid of half her garden then. I would certainly lose a lot in mine. I am one of those people that use use bleach, sprays without gloves, no allergies, but others can have real problems..

I firmly believe it is better to teach children what is really dangerous, what best to leave alone and what can be used with care. Some of the plants on the list surprised me actually. One or two names I don't know and will google them but it is really very interesting..

A list of plant used totally in medicine would contain many of those plants.

RF

[Ladygardener]

Yes Rosefriend it would for sure. I agree, it's good to teach children from the earliest age that some plants while very pretty, can damage their skin or make them very sick. I've explained to the girls about Euphorbia and Digitalis and they remember and are very good about not touching them. I've just remembered, when my own girls were small and we visited their Dad's Mum, she had the most wonderful Laburnum tree, they readily accepted that the berries were dangerous and they were not to touch them.

[Tig]

Lots of the plants on the list I do grow, and I have learned over the years (the hard way sometimes!) what irritates my skin and what doesn't appear to cause me any problems. I now know that when I'm weeding and pulling up the zillion surplus foxgloves I have to wear gloves - I didn't realise they were causing me to have palpitations until I read that they can cause irregular heart rhythms in some folk It is always good to know what might cause irritation, especially as I have a tendency to rub my eyes or scratch my nose when gardening.
When you think that red kidney beans are quite toxic unless properly prepared, the same with taro, it has to be prepared and well cooked to get rid of the toxins.