Poisonous Plants for Cats, Dogs, Humans
Here's a resource for learning about poisonous plants for cats, dogs and humans. Tiger lilies are among the worst poisonous plants for cats and jasmine for dogs, while castor bean is the source of toxic ricin and is a poor choice to grow if you have kids. Most of these resources focus on plants poisonous to humans; the bottom 2 resources pertain to pets.
List of Poisonous Plants
Consult my descriptions and pictures of poisonous plants as an aid to identifying them. My list of poisonous plants includes examples of weeds that cause rashes on contact, as well as the beneficial weeds used as home remedies to counteract them.
Consult my descriptions and pictures of poisonous plants as an aid to identifying them. My list of poisonous plants includes examples of weeds that cause rashes on contact, as well as the beneficial weeds used as home remedies to counteract them.
Bittersweet Nightshade: Infamously Poisonous Plants -- and Very Common
Article distinguishes between 3 plants named "bittersweet," one of which (bittersweet nightshade) is quite poisonous. Characteristics of each are presented, environmental concerns raised about Oriental bittersweet, and name origins supplied. Bittersweet nightshade is especially dangerous to have around kids, as they're attracted to its brightly colored berries.
Article distinguishes between 3 plants named "bittersweet," one of which (bittersweet nightshade) is quite poisonous. Characteristics of each are presented, environmental concerns raised about Oriental bittersweet, and name origins supplied. Bittersweet nightshade is especially dangerous to have around kids, as they're attracted to its brightly colored berries.
Foxgloves
Foxglove plants are toxic, although they are used medicinally by those who know what they're doing! Foxgloves (Digitalis purpurea) produce gorgeous flowers, making them popular -- despite their infamously toxic quality.
Foxglove plants are toxic, although they are used medicinally by those who know what they're doing! Foxgloves (Digitalis purpurea) produce gorgeous flowers, making them popular -- despite their infamously toxic quality.
Pictures of Poison Ivy
I have assembled pictures of poison ivy in this photo gallery, for purposes of identification -- so you can avoid contact and subsequent poison ivy rash! Following the pictures of poison ivy, I present additional pictures of poison ivy look-alikes, for the sake of comparison.
I have assembled pictures of poison ivy in this photo gallery, for purposes of identification -- so you can avoid contact and subsequent poison ivy rash! Following the pictures of poison ivy, I present additional pictures of poison ivy look-alikes, for the sake of comparison.
"Kiss of Death" Poisonous Plants: Mistletoe
At Christmas we kiss under the mistletoe, then forget about mistletoe for another year. There's more to mistletoe than kisses: Druids and Norse, diverse botany, medical controversy, literary fame. And how about the origin of the term? But mistletoe's mention here is due to the toxic nature of its berries, warranting mistletoe's inclusion on my list of poisonous plants.
At Christmas we kiss under the mistletoe, then forget about mistletoe for another year. There's more to mistletoe than kisses: Druids and Norse, diverse botany, medical controversy, literary fame. And how about the origin of the term? But mistletoe's mention here is due to the toxic nature of its berries, warranting mistletoe's inclusion on my list of poisonous plants.
Wisteria Vines
If ingested in sufficient quantities (which, for a young child, would be a relatively small amount), the seeds and pods of wisterias can cause nausea, vomiting, stomach pain, diarrhea.
If ingested in sufficient quantities (which, for a young child, would be a relatively small amount), the seeds and pods of wisterias can cause nausea, vomiting, stomach pain, diarrhea.
Winterberry Shrubs
Various parts of winterberry holly shrubs were used by Native Americans as medicine. However, ingesting the bright red berries commonly causes nausea, vomiting and diarrhea.
Various parts of winterberry holly shrubs were used by Native Americans as medicine. However, ingesting the bright red berries commonly causes nausea, vomiting and diarrhea.
Mountain Laurels
Don't confuse these shrubs with the more famous laurel, "bay laurel." While bay laurels are famous in cuisine (bay leaf), mountain laurels are toxic, for both humans and cattle. Ingesting the leaves or flowers of mountain laurels can cause nausea, stomach pain, vomiting, and watering of the eyes and nose. And there have been reports of even more severe cases.
Don't confuse these shrubs with the more famous laurel, "bay laurel." While bay laurels are famous in cuisine (bay leaf), mountain laurels are toxic, for both humans and cattle. Ingesting the leaves or flowers of mountain laurels can cause nausea, stomach pain, vomiting, and watering of the eyes and nose. And there have been reports of even more severe cases.
Azalea and Rhododendron Bushes
Azaleas and rhododendrons are among the most popular landscape plants. But ingesting their leaves or flowers can cause vomiting, stomach pain, diarrhea -- or worse.
Azaleas and rhododendrons are among the most popular landscape plants. But ingesting their leaves or flowers can cause vomiting, stomach pain, diarrhea -- or worse.
Holly: Christmas Shrubs, Poisonous Plants
Holly shrubs may be a Christmas favorite, but ingesting their berries causes nausea, vomiting and diarrhea.
Holly shrubs may be a Christmas favorite, but ingesting their berries causes nausea, vomiting and diarrhea.
Castor Beans
Castor bean plants possess a rather striking form and are sometimes used as ornamentals in landscape design. But the seeds of castor bean plants contain ricin, a deadly toxin.
Castor bean plants possess a rather striking form and are sometimes used as ornamentals in landscape design. But the seeds of castor bean plants contain ricin, a deadly toxin.
English Boxwood Shrubs
English boxwoods make excellent hedges and topiaries. But ingesting the leaves can cause gastric problems and vomiting.
English boxwoods make excellent hedges and topiaries. But ingesting the leaves can cause gastric problems and vomiting.
Juniper Shrubs
Using juniper groundcovers controls erosion and weeds, and also eliminates your having to mow steep slopes. But ingesting too many of juniper's berry-like cones can lead to kidney damage.
Using juniper groundcovers controls erosion and weeds, and also eliminates your having to mow steep slopes. But ingesting too many of juniper's berry-like cones can lead to kidney damage.
Bulb Plants
Hyacinths and narcissus (daffodils) bring much delight in spring with their blooms. But ingesting the bulbs of these poisonous plants brings nausea, vomiting, diarrhea -- and in some cases, even death.
Hyacinths and narcissus (daffodils) bring much delight in spring with their blooms. But ingesting the bulbs of these poisonous plants brings nausea, vomiting, diarrhea -- and in some cases, even death.
Clematis Vines
Clematis vines are very popular in landscaping. The 'Jackman' variety is especially prized, due to its showy blooms (including a rich purple). But all the parts of these poisonous plants can cause gastrointestinal irritation if eaten.
Clematis vines are very popular in landscaping. The 'Jackman' variety is especially prized, due to its showy blooms (including a rich purple). But all the parts of these poisonous plants can cause gastrointestinal irritation if eaten.
Periwinkle Flower (Vinca Minor Vine)
Periwinkle flower (Vinca minor) is one of the more widespread ground covers you'll find in the Northeastern U.S. Along with pachysandra, I often see its vines even out in the woods, where it had been grown on what are now long-abandoned homesteads. Unfortunately, ingesting any part of Vinca minor can cause intestinal irritation.
Periwinkle flower (Vinca minor) is one of the more widespread ground covers you'll find in the Northeastern U.S. Along with pachysandra, I often see its vines even out in the woods, where it had been grown on what are now long-abandoned homesteads. Unfortunately, ingesting any part of Vinca minor can cause intestinal irritation.
Virginia Creeper Vines
When we think of fall foliage, we think primarily of trees, and perhaps shrubs. But the fall foliage of Virginia creeper vines holds its own with any trees or shrubs. Ingesting any part of the vine, however, can cause vomiting, nausea, stomach ache, headache and, in severe cases, even kidney damage.
When we think of fall foliage, we think primarily of trees, and perhaps shrubs. But the fall foliage of Virginia creeper vines holds its own with any trees or shrubs. Ingesting any part of the vine, however, can cause vomiting, nausea, stomach ache, headache and, in severe cases, even kidney damage.
Privet Hedges (Ligustrum)
Ingesting any part of these poisonous plants may cause stomach ache, vomiting, nausea, diarrhea, or headache. Eating the berries of privet shrubs may even cause death.
Ingesting any part of these poisonous plants may cause stomach ache, vomiting, nausea, diarrhea, or headache. Eating the berries of privet shrubs may even cause death.
Creeping Charlie Weed
Creeping charlie vines are very common lawn weeds that used to play a part in, of all things, beer production. But they're poisonous plants for dogs and cats, so make sure your pets aren't nibbling on them.
Creeping charlie vines are very common lawn weeds that used to play a part in, of all things, beer production. But they're poisonous plants for dogs and cats, so make sure your pets aren't nibbling on them.
Japanese and English Yews
English and Japanese yew bushes (and crosses between them) are widely used as hedges. But all parts of yew bushes are poisonous, except for the berry. And since yew seeds are poisonous, and the seed matures within the berry, even the latter can be considered "off limits." Keep small children away from these poisonous plants!
English and Japanese yew bushes (and crosses between them) are widely used as hedges. But all parts of yew bushes are poisonous, except for the berry. And since yew seeds are poisonous, and the seed matures within the berry, even the latter can be considered "off limits." Keep small children away from these poisonous plants!
Winter Jasmine Vines
Jasmine vines are poisonous to humans and dogs alike!
Jasmine vines are poisonous to humans and dogs alike!
Lantana Plants
Lantana plants are a tropical shrub and grow as perennials in Florida landscaping, for instance. But in cooler climates they are often treated as annual flowers. Don't let your pets chew on lantana; it will make them sick.
Lantana plants are a tropical shrub and grow as perennials in Florida landscaping, for instance. But in cooler climates they are often treated as annual flowers. Don't let your pets chew on lantana; it will make them sick.
Peony Plants
Peony plants have been grown and admired for centuries, due in part to the beauty of their blooms and foliage, their fragrance and their longevity. But peony plants are toxic to dogs.
Peony plants have been grown and admired for centuries, due in part to the beauty of their blooms and foliage, their fragrance and their longevity. But peony plants are toxic to dogs.
The "Big 3" of Poisonous Plants: Poison Ivy, Poison Oak, Poison Sumac
Index to the material on my site dealing with the poisonous plants that are responsible for a great many cases of rashes every year: poison ivy, poison oak and poison sumac. Use the links provided to navigate to information on the identification, eradication and treatment of poison ivy, oak and sumac. Both chemical and organic weed control methods are discussed.
Index to the material on my site dealing with the poisonous plants that are responsible for a great many cases of rashes every year: poison ivy, poison oak and poison sumac. Use the links provided to navigate to information on the identification, eradication and treatment of poison ivy, oak and sumac. Both chemical and organic weed control methods are discussed.
Poisonous Plants to Be Aware of If You Own a Cat
Information on poisonous plants for cats, from About's Guide to Cats. Replete with photos.
Information on poisonous plants for cats, from About's Guide to Cats. Replete with photos.