Index of Plants - I-EAT-PLANTS Living Laboratory - Veterinary Medicine Library

Toxic Plants
	Agave Common Name: Agave, Maguey, Bayonet Plant Scientific Name: Agave sp. Family Name: Agavaceae Toxic Principle: Sap from the leaves, Seeds, Calcium oxalate raphides, Acrid volatile oils, Mechanically injurious Clinical Signs: Oral mucosa irritation, Contact urticaria, Skin: Immediate burning, erythema, urticaria, and edema, Granuloma reaction from punctures by leaves
	Aloe Common Name: Aloe, Barbados Aloe, Torch Plant Scientific Name: Aloe sp. Family Name: Liliaceae Toxic Principle: Homonatoloin, Aloin, Dried juice [latex], Anthraquinones barbaloin, Anthraquinone or Anthracene glycosides Clinical Signs: Vomiting, Diarrhea, Red Urine, Skin irritation, Kidney Inflammation
	Asparagus Fern Common Name: Sprengeri Fern, Lace Fern, Asparagus Fern Scientific Name: Asparagus cetaceus Family Name: Liliaceae Toxic Principle: Non-toxic, Berries, Sapogenins, Foliage Clinical Signs: Dermatitis, Irritant, Cardiac, sedative, and diuretic effects
	Barrel Cactus Common Name: Golden Barrel, Golden Ball, Mother-in-Law's Cushion Scientific Name: Echinocactus grusonii Family Name: Cactaceae Toxic Principle: Non-toxic, Spines
	Boston Fern Common Name: Fishbone Fern, Sword Fern, Boston Fern Scientific Name: Nephrolepis Family Name: Polypodiaceae Toxic Principle: Non-toxic Clinical Signs: Allergy, Wet leaves: prolonged contact with lesions that were pruritic, with erythema, vesicles, scaling, and periungual swelling.
	Castor Bean Common Name: Castor Bean, Castor, Castor Oil Plant, palma Christi, Wonder Tree, Higuerilla, Steadfast Scientific Name: Ricinus communis Family Name: Euphorbiaceae Toxic Principle: Leaves, Seeds, Ricin, Ricinin Clinical Signs: Decrease blood pressure, Hypothermia, Decrease in blood glucose, Increase in serum hepatic enzymes: AST, ALT, LDH, Increase in BUN, calcium, phosphorous, Upset Stomach, Vomitting, Abdominal Pain, Nausea, Diarrhea, Anorexia, Trembling, Weakness, Sudden Collapse, Seizures, Exercise intolerance, Ataxia, Slight Depression, Copious thick, ropy salivation, Thirsty
	Catnip Common Name: Catmint, Catnip Scientific Name: Nepeta Family Name: Labiateae Toxic Principle: Volatile oil Clinical Signs: Odd behavior, Drowsiness, Disorientation
	Crown of Thorns Common Name: Christ Plant, Christ Thorn, Crown of Thorns Scientific Name: Euphorbia milli Family Name: Euphorbiaceae Toxic Principle: Miliamines, Terpenes, Diterpenes, Alkaloidal esters of diterpenoid ingenol, Stems: the juice, leaves, and thorns Clinical Signs: Eye irritation, Vomiting, Skin irritation, Diarrhea, Irritation to gastrointestinal tract
	Dumb Cane Common Name: Dumb Plant, Dumb Cane, Mother-in-law’s Tongue Plant Scientific Name: Dieffenbachia sp. Family Name: Araceae Toxic Principle: Histamine poisoning, All parts: leaves, stems, sap, Proteolytic enzymes, Calcium oxalate crystals, Other toxins Clinical Signs: Swelling of throat, Impairment of speech, Excessive salivation, Pain and swelling of mouth, Skin rashes
	English Ivy Common Name: English Ivy, Common Ivy, Ivy Scientific Name: Hedera helix Family Name: Araliaceae Toxic Principle: Saponin called hederin and hederagenin, Saponins, Leaves, Berries, Pentacyclic terpenoids Clinical Signs: Nausea, Vomiting, Diarrhea, Convulsions, Skin rashes
	Fiddle-leaf Philodendron Common Name: Fiddle-leaf Philodendron, Tree Philodendron, Cut-leaf Philodenron Scientific Name: Philodendron bipinnatifidum (older name is P. Selloum) Family Name: Araceae Toxic Principle: Nephrotoxic, Entire Plant, Leaves, Oxalates, Calcium oxalate Clinical Signs: Dermatitis, Excessive salivation, Red and swollen oral cavity, Pain, swelling, irritation to throat, Irritation and burning of mouth, lips, and tongue
	Golden Pothos Common Name: Devil’s Ivy , Pothos, Golden Pothos Scientific Name: Epipremnum aureum Family Name: Araceae Toxic Principle: Allergic reactions, Oxalic acid, Entire plant, Proteolytic enzymes, Calcium oxalate crystals Clinical Signs: Vomiting, Diarrhea, Redness and swelling, Dermatitis, Itching and burning of lips, tongue, mouth, also throat
	Jade Plant Common Name: Jade Tree, Dollar Plant, Jade Plant Scientific Name: Crassula sp. Family Name: Crassulaceae Toxic Principle: Leaves Clinical Signs: Digestive upset, Nausea
	Kalanchoe Common Name: Florist’s Kalanchoe, Kalanchoe, Palm Beach Belle Scientific Name: Kalanchoe blossfeldiana Family Name: Crassulaceae Toxic Principle: Isoprene alkaloids, Cardiac glycosides, Cardiac bufadienolides,Bryotoxins, Non-toxic maybe Clinical Signs: Labored respiration, Cardio-toxic effects, Excessive salivation, Digestive disturbance, Loss of interest in food and water
	Oleander Common Name: Oleander, ’OLIWA [Hawaii], Rosa Laurel [Mexico] Scientific Name: Nerium oleander Family Name: Apocynaceae Toxic Principle: Seeds, Vase water, Whole plant, Smoke from burning, Cardioactive glycosides Clinical Signs: Diarrhea, Nausea, Vomiting, Slowing of heart-rate, Abdormal heart beat patterns
	Peace Lily Common Name: Peace Lily, White Anthurium, Spathe Flower Scientific Name: Spathiphyllum Family Name: Araceae Toxic Principle: Oxalic acid, Druses, Entire Plant, Raphides, Calcium oxalate crystals Clinical Signs: Vomiting, Rashes, Redness and swelling, Irritation to digestive tract, Pain and burning of mouth, lips, tongue, and other oral surfaces
	Pencil Tree Cactus Common Name: Finger Tree, Milk Bush, Indian Tree Spurge Scientific Name: Euphorbia tirucalli Family Name: Euphorbiaceae Toxic Principle: Latex sap, euphorbol terpenes, Esters, Diterpenes, Entire Plant Clinical Signs: Dermatits, Gastritis, Conjunctivitis, Burning, Irritation, Diarrhea
	Peperomia Common Name: Peperomia, Green-ripple Plant, Baby Rubber Plant Scientific Name: Peperomia sp. Family Name: Piperaceae Toxic Principle: Leaves may be toxic, Low toxicity, Toxic alkaloids possible
	Philodendron Common Name: Sweetheart Plant, Heart-leaf Philodendron, Parlor Ivy Scientific Name: Philodendron scadens Family Name: Araceae Toxic Principle: Nephrotoxic, Entire Plant, Leaves, Oxalates, Calcium oxalate Clinical Signs: Dermatitis, Excessive salivation, Red and swollen oral cavity, Pain, swelling, irritation to throat, Irritation and burning of mouth, lips, and tongue
	Prickly Pear Common Name: Bunny Ears Cactus, Rabbit Ears Cactus Scientific Name: Opuntia sp. Family Name: Cactaceae Toxic Principle: Thorns , Barbs which encircle each glochidium Clinical Signs: Domed papules, Erythema, Keratoconjunctivitis, Dermatitis, Corneal erosion
	Red Emerald Common Name: Red Emerald Scientific Name: Philodendron 'Red Emerald' Family Name: Araceae Toxic Principle: Irritant in leaves, Oxalic acid, Entire plant, Proteolytic enzymes, Calcium oxalate crystals Clinical Signs: Redness and swelling, Vomiting, Diarrhea, Dermatitis, Itching and burning of lips, tongue, mouth also throat
	Sago Palm Common Name: Sago Palm, Sago Cycas, Japanese Sago Palm Scientific Name: Cycas revoluta Family Name: Cycadaceae Toxic Principle: Seeds, Foliage, Neurotoxic agent [amino acid], Glycosides, Cycasin a carcinogenic, hepatotoxic chemical Clinical Signs: Diarrhea, Liver damage, Vomiting, Increase in water intake, Nervous system depressants, drowsiness, coma, muscle paralysis
	Sanseveria Common Name: Snake Plant, Good-Luck Plant, Mother-in-law’s Tongue Scientific Name: Sanseveria sp. Family Name: Agavaceae Toxic Principle: Entire plant, Leaves, Organic acids, Flowers, Hemolytic saponins Clinical Signs: Nausea, Vomiting, Destruction of red blood cells, Dermatitis, Irritation to mouth, throat, and gastrointestinal tract
	Schefflera Common Name: Umbrella Tree, Starleaf, Australian Umbrella Tree Scientific Name: Schefflera [a.k.a. Brassaia actinophylla] Family Name: Araliaceae Toxic Principle: Entire Plant, Saponins, Falcarinol, Calcium oxalate, Oxalic acid Clinical Signs: Dermatitis, Vomiting, Leukopenia, Loss of coordination, Irritation of mouth, lips, and tongue
	Texas Mountain Laurel Common Name: Coral Bean, Mescal Bean, Texas Mountain Laurel Scientific Name: Sophora secundiflora Family Name: Fabaceae Toxic Principle: Cytisine, Seeds, Quinolizidine alkaloids, Entire plant, Alkaloids similar to nicotine Clinical Signs: Diarrhea, Vomiting, Falling down, Nausea, Neurologic disorder
	Variegated Ficus Common Name: Variegated Ficus, Ficus, Variegated Weeping Fig Scientific Name: Ficus benjamina ‘variegata’ Family Name: Moraceae Toxic Principal: Non-toxic, Foliage, IgE mediated Clinical Signs: Dermatitis, Asthma, Rhinitis, Conjunctivitis
	Variegated Peperomia Common Name: Baby Rubber Plant, Pepper Face, American Rubber Plant, Desert Privet Scientific Name: Peperomia magnolialfolia variegata Family Name: Piperaceae Toxic Principal: Leaves, Alkaloids, Low toxicity - No know cases in humans, toxic to some animals, Non-Toxic
	Wandering Jew Common Name: Wandering Jew, Inch Plant, Variegated Wandering Jew Scientific Name: Tradescantia Family Name: Commelinaceae Toxic Principle: Unidentified irritant, Non-toxic, Possibly oxalate crystals Clinical Signs: Dermatitis [Red/Green Wandering Jew: Wandering Jew (Red/Green); Commelinaceae; Nontoxic]
	Weeping Ficus Common Name: Weeping Fig, Benjamin Tree, Java Fig Scientific Name: Ficus benjamina Family Name: Movaceae Toxic Principle: Non-toxic, Foliage, IgE mediated Clinical Signs: Dermatitis, Asthma, Rhinitis, Itching of hands and arms, Conjunctivitis
	Yucca Common Name: Spineless Yucca, Soapweed, Spanish Bayonet Scientific Name: Yucca sp. Family Name: Agavaceae Toxic Principle: Spines, Furostanols, Leaves, Saponins [steroidal], Spirostanols – sarsasapogenin Clinical Signs: Vomiting, Bloat, Diarrhea, Nausea, Mechanical damage
Non-toxic Plants
	African Violet Common Name: African Violet Scientific Name: Saintpaulia ionantha Family Name: Gesneriaceae Toxic Principle: Non-toxic, Leaves, No specific toxin, Alkaloids Clinical Signs: Mild allergic reactions
	Bamboo Common Name: Belgian Evergreen, Dracaena, Dragon Tree Scientific Name: Dracaena sp. Family Name: Agavaceae [Dracaena sanderana: Ribbon Plant, Belgian Evergreen; Alkaloidal content]
	Bougainvillea Common Name: Bougainvillea, Paper Flower, Four-O'clock Scientific Name: Bougainvillea glabra Family Name: Nyctaginaceae Toxic Principle: Non-toxic, Spines Clinical Signs: Injury to skin by spines
	Bromeliad Common Name: Bromeliad, Silver Vase Scientific Name: Aechmea fasciata Family Name: Bromeliaceae Toxic Principle: Non-toxic
	Christmas Cactus Common Name: Christmas Cactus, Claw Cactus, Thanksgiving Cactus Scientific Name: Zygocactus truncates Family Name: Cactaceae Toxic Principle: Non-toxic
	Corn Plant Common Name: Dracaena, Corn Plant, Dragon Tree Scientific Name: Draceaca sp. Family Name: Agavaceae Toxic Principle: Non-toxic, Possible alkaloidal content Clinical Signs: Stomach-ache
	Euphorbia decaryi Common Name: Euphorbia decaryi Scientific Name: Euphorbia decaryi Family Name: Euphorbiaceae
	Hibiscus Common Name: Hibiscus, Chinese Hibiscus Scientific Name: Hibiscus rosa-sinensis Family Name: Malcaveae Toxic Principle: Non-toxic
	Hoya Common Name: Wax Plant, Honey Plant, Wax Flower Scientific Name: Hoya bella Family Name: Asclepiadaceae Toxic Principle: Non-toxic Clinical Signs: Skin rash caused by allergens
	Lipstick Plant Common Name: Lipstick Plant, Lipstick Vine, Basket Vine Scientific Name: Aeschynanthus lobbianus Family Name: Gesneriaceae Toxic Principle:Non-toxic
	Majesty Palm Common Name: Majesty Palm Scientific Name: Ravenea rivularis Family Name: Arecaceae Toxic Principle: Non-toxic
	Nerve Plant Common Name: Nerve Plant, Mosaic Plant, Silver Net Leaf Scientific Name: Fittonia Family Name: Acanthaceae Toxic Principle: Non-toxic
	Norfolk Island Pine Common Name: Norfolk Island Pine Scientific Name: Araucaria heterophylla Family Name: Araucariaceae Toxic Principle: Non-toxic
	Orchid Common Name: Dendrobium Scientific Name: Dendrobium nobile Family Name: Orchidaceae Toxic Principle: Non-toxic
	Purple Passion Common Name: Purple Passion Vine, Velvet Plant Scientific Name: Gynura sarmentosa, Gyruna aurantiaca Family Name: Asteraceae, Compositea Toxic Principle: Non-toxic
	Spider Plant Common Name: Ribbon Plant, Airplane Plant, Spider Plant Scientific Name: Chlorophytum comosum Family Name: Liliaceae Toxic Principle: Non-toxic
	Swedish Ivy Common Name: Swedish Ivy, Prostrate Coleus, Spur Flower Scientific Name: Plectranthus sp Family Name: Labiataea Toxic Principle: Non-toxic
	Table Fern Common Name: Table Fern, Brake Fern, Cretan Brake Scientific Name: Pteris Family Name: Polypodiaceae Toxic Principle: Low to no toxicity

Toxic Plants

Agave

Aloe

Asparagus Fern

Barrel Cactus

Boston Fern

Castor Bean

Catnip

Crown of Thorns

Dumb Cane

English Ivy

Fiddle-leaf Philodendron

Golden Pothos

Jade Plant

Kalanchoe

Oleander

Peace Lily

Pencil Tree Cactus

Peperomia

Philodendron

Prickly Pear

Red Emerald

Sago Palm

Sanseveria

Schefflera

Texas Mountain Laurel

Variegated Ficus

Variegated Peperomia

Wandering Jew

Weeping Ficus

Yucca

Non-toxic Plants

African Violet

Bamboo

Bougainvillea

Bromeliad

Christmas Cactus

Corn Plant

Euphorbia decaryi

Hibiscus

Hoya

Lipstick Plant

Majesty Palm

Nerve Plant

Norfolk Island Pine

Orchid

Purple Passion

Spider Plant

Swedish Ivy

Table Fern