Plant diseases

Common toxic plants: danger disguised

Did you know that some of these colourful and attractive beauties can actually be harmful to you or your pets’ health? The following table shows images of the plant, which part is harmful and how it is harmful (symptoms).

Flower	Part that is harmful	Symptoms
Autumn Crocus	Whole plant	Humans: Abdominal pain, nausea, vomiting leading to convulsions, cardiovascular collapse. Animals: dermatitis, nervous excitement, diarrhoea, bloody vomiting, shock, organ damage and oral irritation.
Bluebells	Whole plant	Humans: Abdominal pain, vomiting, diarrhoea, nausea and slow heart rate. Animals: Abdominal pain, vomiting, diarrhoea.
Cherry laurel	Leaves and fruit pips	Humans: Oxygen starved from the central nervous system. Animals: Abdominal tenderness, vomiting, diarrhoea.
Daffodils	Whole plant	Humans: Stomach upset, lasting several days. Animals: Abdominal tenderness, vomiting, diarrhoea, over-salivating, temperature and lethargy.
Deadly nightshade	Whole plant	Humans: Dryness in the mouth, thirst, difficulty in swallowing and speaking, blurred vision from the dilated pupils, vomiting, excessive stimulation of the heart, drowsiness, slurred speech, hallucinations, confusion, disorientation, delirium and agitation, coma and convulsions often precede death. Animals: Narcosis and paralysis.
Delphiniums	Whole plant	Humans: Abdominal pain, nausea, vomiting and muscular spasms. Animals: Harmful if eaten in large quantity
Devils ivy	Whole plant	Humans: Skin/eye irritation, stomach cramps and vomiting. Animals: Dermatitis, mouth irritation, upset stomach, diarrhoea, seizures, loss of balance.
False jasmine	Whole plant	Humans: Weakness, pupil contraction, impaired vision, severe giddiness and depressed respiration. Animals: Convulsions.
Foxglove	Whole plant	Humans: Slow or irregular heart rate, abdominal pain, nausea, headache, weakness, rash, blurred vision, convulsions. Animals: Heart arrhythmia, weakness, diarrhoea and vomiting.
Hyacinth	Whole plant	Humans: Rash, inflammation, blisters, vomiting, diarrhoea and stomach cramps. Animals: Stomach upset, vomiting, diarrhoea and lethargy.
Laburnam tree	Whole plant	Humans: Intense sleepiness, vomiting, convulsive movements, unequally dilated pupils, severe diarrhoea and coma. Animals: Nausea and vomiting.
Leyland cypress	Whole plant	Humans: Skin irritation. Animals: Diarrhoea, loss of appetite and weakness.
Lily of the valley	Whole plant	Humans: Dermatitis, digestive trouble, nausea, vomiting and drowsiness. Animals: Slow heart rate, vomiting, diarrhoea, seizures and severe heart arrhythmias.
Lupin	Seeds	Humans: Nervousness, digestive problems, sleepiness, slowed heart rate. Animals: Gastrointestinal upset, salivation.
Morning glory	Whole plant	Humans: Nausea, vomiting, diarrhoea, allergic reactions. Animals: Stomach upset, vomiting, diarrhoea, severe agitation.
Passion flower	New young fruits	Humans: Stomach upset. Animals: Vomiting.
Peace lily	Whole plant	Humans: Nausea, diarrhoea, salivation, vomiting. Animals: Pawing at mouth, drooling, foaming, vomiting.
Rhododendron	Whole plant	Animals: Projectile vomiting, abdominal pain, diarrhoea, constipation and slow heart rate.
Tulip	Whole plant	Humans: Dizziness, nausea and abdominal pain. Animals: Drooling, nausea, vomiting, difficulty breathing.
Wisteria	Whole plant	Humans: Nausea, vomiting, cramp and diarrhoea. Animals: Vomiting, diarrhoea, depression.

Tips to keep you, others and your pets safe while enjoying your garden

Always wear gloves when handling plants.
Teach young children not to play with plants or put anything they find in the garden in their mouth, that they should check with an adult first.
Position harmful plants in a place where your pet can't get to it.
If you suspect yourself, a pet or anybody else has ingested a plant or part of, seek medical advicestraight away.
Make sure any toxic plants dug up, or chippings, are disposed of in the correct way.
Read plant labels when purchasing, to check if they have any toxicity hazards.