Poisonous Plants

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Poisonous Plants

• S. David Baker, R.Ph., CSPI
• Central Texas Poison Control Center
• Scott White Memorial Hospital

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Oxalate Containing Plants

• Rhubarb
• Dieffenbachia
• Caladium
• Philodendron
• Oxalis
• Calla Lily
• Jack-in-the-pulpit
• Others

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Rhubarb
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Dieffenbachia
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Dieffenbachia
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Philodendron
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Jack-in-the-pulpit
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Oxalate

• Needle like crystals
• Edema of mouth, tongue, and throat
• Ingestion of larger quantities can lead to
  multi-organ damage. Renal, Hepatic, Myocardial,
  Brain, and GI

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Cardiac Glycoside Plants

• Oleander
• Lily of the Valley
• Foxglove

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Oleander
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Oleander
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Lily of the Valley
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Foxglove
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Cardiac Glycoside Plants

• Just like Digoxin
• Bradycardia with AV block
• Hypotension
• Lethargy
• Dizziness
• GI upset

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Solanine containing Plants

• Potato
• Black Nightshade
• Jerusalem Cherry

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Potato
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Black Nightshade
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Jerusalem Cherry
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Solanine

• N / V / D, headache
• Drowsiness
• Coma
• Onset - 2 - 24 hours
• Duration - up to 3 days
• Plants can also be anticholinergics

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Anticholinergic Plants

• Belladona
• Datura
• Angels Trumpet
• Jimson weed
• Thorn Apple
• Henbane

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Belladonna
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Jimson Weed
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Jimson Weed
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Jimson Weed Seeds
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Henbane
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Anticholinergics

• Hyperthermia, flushing
• Dry mucus membranes
• Mydriasis
• Tachycardia
• Decreased GI motility
• Urinary retention
• Delirium, hallucinations, CNS depression

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Cyanogenic Glycosides

• Almond
• Peach
• Plum
• Cherry
• Apple
• Clover
• Others

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Cyanogenic
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Cyanogenic Glycosides

• Usually only a problem if you make a meal out of
  them
• 1 - 2 seeds are not a problem
• Enzymatic breakdown in GI leads to toxicity
• Onset 30 minutes to 2 hours
• Respiratory distress, syncope, coma, seizures
  follow GI symptoms.

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Other Plants

• Castor Beans
• Rosary Beans
• Poinsetta
• Ganja
• Lantana
• Nicotiana
• Poison Ivy

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Castor Bean Plant
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Castor Beans
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Rosary bean
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Castor Bean ToxicityRosary Bean Toxicity

• Beans are very hard and only toxic if chewed
• GI effects within 6 hours, cause gastric lesions,
  looks like alkaline burns
• 2 - 5 days after exposure - cytotoxic effects -
  Liver, Kidney, Brain

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Poinsettia
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Poinsettia

• Causes severe stomach irritation
• Lots of Nausea and Vomiting
• Not considered toxic
• Dehydration
• Electrolyte imbalances

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Ganja
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Lantana
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Lantana

• Unripe berries are the most toxic
• Lantadene - atropine like substance
• Anticholinergic poisoning

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Nicotiana tabacum
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Nicotine

• GI upset - N / V
• Onset in 15 - 60 minutes
• Duration 3 - 12 hours
• Increase in heart rate and blood pressure then
  irregular pulse and hypotension
• Tremors and seizures

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Poison Ivy
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Other plants

• Water Hemlock
• Poke Weed

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Water Hemlock
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Water Hemlock

• Mydriasis
• Tachycardia
• Seizures - Onset 5 minutes to 2 hours
• Salivation, gastritis, diarrhea, emesis
• Rhabdomyolysis, and renal failure
• Metabolic acidosis
• Strychnine like substance

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Poke Weed
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Poke weed

• Mostly GI effects
• Onset 30 minutes to 5 hours
• Duration - 1 to 48 hours
• Headache
• Weakness
• Seizures
• Coma