Monday, April 30, 2012

Poison ivy

General poisoning notes:

Poison ivy (Rhus radicans; synonym Toxicodendron radicans) is a native shrub or vine found throughout southern Canada. Three recognized varieties are found in various parts of the country (Mulligan and Junkins 1977). Urushiol is the allergenic agent found in most parts of the plant. Damage to plant tissues causes the nonvolatile chemicals to be exposed. Humans are often sensitized, with symptoms ranging from mild itchiness and redness to severe oozing lesions with fever. Poison ivy is probably responsible for more cases of plant dermatitis in Canada than any other plant. Urushiol can contaminate clothes, tools, and the fur of domestic animals. Humans can subsequently develop dermatitis from contact. Humans do not contract the dermatitis on first contact, but most people are sensitized the first time (Mulligan 1990, Schwartz and Downham 1981, Gayer and Burnett 1988).

Nomenclature:

Scientific Name: Rhus radicans L.
Vernacular name(s): poison ivy
Scientific family name: Anacardiaceae
Vernacular family name: cashew

Rhus radicans L.
Rhus radicans L.

Geographic Information

Alberta, British Columbia, Manitoba, New Brunswick, Nova Scotia, Ontario, Prince Edward Island, Quebec, Saskatchewan.

Toxic parts:

All parts, leaves, plant juices.

Notes on Toxic plant chemicals:

Urushiol, a group of alkylcatechols, is found in the sap of poison-ivy plants. The allergic reaction has been traditionally thought to involve initial oxidation by which a protein-reactive quinone is formed. Recent work indicates that redox cycling in the skin, following penetration of the allergenic alkybenzenes, initially depletes local levels of endogenous-reducing equivalents such as NADH and glutathione. Further cycling results in the uncontrolled generation of radical species that exhibit protein reactivity. The urushiol is not volatile and can contaminate clothing, tools, and domestic animals. Under dry conditions, the chemical can remain harmful for long periods (Mulligan 1990,Schmidt et al. 1990).

Toxic plant chemicals:

Urushiol oil, 3-pentadecyl catechol.

Animals/Human Poisoning:

Note: When an animal is listed without additional information, the literature (as of 1993) contained no detailed explanation.

Humans

General symptoms of poisoning:

Blistering
blisters, weeping
erythema
face, edema of
itchiness
pneumonitis
temperature, elevated
tracheitis.
Poinsettia

General poisoning notes:

Poinsettia (Euphorbia pulcherrima) is a popular Christmas plant grown for its red leafy bracts. It has been listed as a known toxic plant that has caused a loss of human life. The case cited in all literature is based on the death of a child in Hawaii who ingested a leaf of poinsettia. The author of that report said that the incident was based on hearsay (Stone and Collins 1971). Various studies have not found any of the toxic diterpenes that occur in the latex of other spurges (Euphorbia spp.). Extensive studies on rats that were fed "extraordinarily" high doses of poinsettia showed no mortality, no symptoms of toxicity, and no changes in normal behaviour (Stone and Collins 1971). Klug et al. (1990) reviewed 353 calls to poison control centres and found that nausea and vomiting were cited in 0.02% of the cases with rash and sneezing cited in 0.0028%. An older dog that ingested poinsettia reportedly experienced protracted vomiting, followed by renal failure, coma, and death. This is the only case in the literature of death to an animal. Case histories show that some humans develop a sensitivity to the latex, resulting in dermatitis. Short exposures to poinsettia in a few cases have led to bouts of vomiting, but no substantiated cases of death can be found in the literature. Poinsettia should no longer be regarded as a severely toxic plant.

Nomenclature:

Scientific Name: Euphorbia pulcherrima Willd. ex Klotzsch
Vernacular name(s): poinsettia
Scientific family name: Euphorbiaceae
Vernacular family name: spurge

Euphorbia pulcherrima Willd. ex Klotzsch
Euphorbia pulcherrima Willd. ex Klotzsch

Geographic Information

Plant or plant parts used in or around the home.

Notes on Poisonous plant parts:

A few people have a positive reaction to the latex and to aqueous extracts of plant material (Santucci et al. 1985).

Toxic parts:

Latex, leaves, stems.

Notes on Toxic plant chemicals:

The latex does not contain any diterpenes. The plant contains an unidentified chemical, which causes dermatitis in a few sensitive individuals (Santucci et al. 1985).

Toxic plant chemicals:

unknown chemical

Animals/Human Poisoning:

Note: When an animal is listed without additional information, the literature (as of 1993) contained no detailed explanation.

Dogs

General symptoms of poisoning:

Coma, death, kidney failure, vomiting.

Humans

General symptoms of poisoning:

Eczema, nausea, vomiting.
Notes on poisoning:
The most severe symptoms of poinsettia ingestion substantiated in the literature are a few cases of nausea and vomiting, with an occasional rash (Klug et al. 1990).

Rodents 

Pin cherry

General poisoning notes:

Pin cherry (Prunus pensylvanica) is a native tree found throughout most of Canada. The leaves have an average N rate of 91 mg/100 g, with as much as 143 mg/100 g recorded. These levels are potentially lethal to livestock if ingested. M. Pitcher (personal communication) notes that captive moose in Newfoundland and Alberta nature parks and zoos regurgitate a gray, chalky, paste-like substance when fed pin cherry browse mixed with their normal browse, white birch (Betula papyrifera). Livestock that ingest pin cherry plant material can be poisoned (Kingsbury 1964).

Nomenclature:

Scientific Name: Prunus pensylvanica L. f.
Vernacular name(s): pin cherry
Scientific family name: Rosaceae
Vernacular family name: rose

Prunus pensylvanica L. f.
Prunus pensylvanica L. f.

Geographic Information

Alberta, British Columbia, Labrador, Manitoba, New Brunswick, Northwest Territories, Nova Scotia, Ontario, Prince Edward Island, Quebec, Saskatchewan

Toxic parts:

Leaves

Toxic plant chemicals:

Amygdalin

Amygdalin
Amygdalin
Prunasin

Prunasin
Prunasin
Chemical diagram(s) are courtesy of Ruth McDiarmid, Biochemistry Technician, Kamloops Range Station, Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada, Kamploops, British Columbia, Canada.

Animals/Human Poisoning:

Note: When an animal is listed without additional information, the literature (as of 1993) contained no detailed explanation.

Moose

General symptoms of poisoning:

Vomiting.
Notes on poisoning:
M. Pitcher (personal communication) states that captive moose develop an adverse reaction to pin cherry when the plant is inadvertently mixed with their usual browse, white birch (Betula papyrifera). The moose regurgitate a gray, chalky paste-like substance. This has been noted both in Newfoundland and Alberta.

Philodendron

General poisoning notes:

Philodendron (Philodendron cordatum) is an indoor ornamental. Philodendrons can cause poisoning in humans and pets because of the oxalates. See additional general notes under Philodendron scandens.

Nomenclature:

Scientific Name: Philodendron cordatum (Vell.) Kunth.
Vernacular name(s): philodendron
Scientific family name: Araceae
Vernacular family name: arum

Philodendron cordatum (Vell.) Kunth.
Philodendron cordatum (Vell.) Kunth.

Geographic Information

Plant or plant parts used in or around the home.

Toxic parts:

Leaves, plant juices.

Toxic plant chemicals:

Oxalate

Animals/Human Poisoning:

Note: When an animal is listed without additional information, the literature (as of 1993) contained no detailed explanation.

Humans

General symptoms of poisoning:

Erythema, itchiness.

Petty spurge

General poisoning notes:

Petty spurge (Euphorbia peplus) is a naturalized herb found across Canada. This plant contains a caustic and irritant chemical in the latex, which causes burning and inflammation of skin and eyes. Ingestion results in complications. Family pets should not be allowed to ingest this plant. Experimental poisoning occurred in a calf that was fed petty spurge (Kingsbury 1964).

Nomenclature:

Scientific Name: Euphorbia peplus L.
Vernacular name(s): petty spurge
Scientific family name: Euphorbiaceae
Vernacular family name: spurge  

Euphorbia peplus L.
Euphorbia peplus L.

Geographic Information

British Columbia, Manitoba, New Brunswick, Newfoundland, Nova Scotia, Ontario, Prince Edward Island, Quebec, Saskatchewan.

Toxic parts:

Latex.

Notes on Toxic plant chemicals:

Petty spurge contains a toxic diterpene, 5-deoxyingenol, as well as ingenol (Frohne and Pfander 1983).

Toxic plant chemicals:

5-deoxyingenol

5-deoxyingenol

Animals/Human Poisoning:

Note: When an animal is listed without additional information, the literature (as of 1993) contained no detailed explanation.

Cattle

General symptoms of poisoning:

Salivation.
Notes on poisoning:
Experimental feeding of petty spurge caused blood-stained feces and excessive salivation in a calf (Kingsbury 1964).

Humans

General symptoms of poisoning:

eye, discharge of
mouth, irritation of
Notes on poisoning:
Skin and mucous membrane irritation result from contact with the latex. Severe eye irritation also occurs (Fuller and McClintock 1986).

Peruvian lily

General poisoning notes:

Peruvian lily (Alstromeria ligtu) is grown as a cut flower by the florist industry. Cut flowers are also flown into North America from Holland. This plant causes contact dermatitis to workers who may be sensitized to the chemical tuliposide A, which is also found in tulip plants. This chemical readily penetrates vinyl gloves. Nitrile gloves may prevent the allergic reaction of workers sensitive to this chemical (Marks 1988).

Nomenclature:

Scientific Name: Alstroemeria ligtu L.
Vernacular name(s): Peruvian lily
Scientific family name: Amaryllidaceae
Vernacular family name: amaryllis

Alstroemeria ligtu L.
Alstroemeria ligtu L.

Geographic Information

Plant or plant parts used in or around the home.

Toxic parts:

Plant juices

Notes on Toxic plant chemicals:

The lactone 6-tuliposide A occurs in both the Peruvian lily and in tulip plants. A human who becomes sensitized to one of the plants generally becomes cross-reactive to the other plant. In a series of tests, it took about 3 years for workers to become sensitive to Peruvian lily (Santucci et al. 1985).

Toxic plant chemicals:

Tuliposide A, 6-tuliposide A.


Tuliposide A

Animals/Human Poisoning:

Note: When an animal is listed without additional information, the literature (as of 1993) contained no detailed explanation.

Humans

General symptoms of poisoning:

Blistering, erythema.

Penciltree

General poisoning notes:

Penciltree (Euphorbia tirucalli) is an attractive indoor ornamental tree. The plant contains caustic and irritant chemicals in the latex which cause reactions with the skin, mucous membranes, and the eyes. Severe burning and inflammation result after the latex comes into contact with the skin. Ingestion causes burning and irritation of the mouth and stomach, accompanied by pain and perhaps diarrhea. Apparently, injudicious medicinal use of the latex of this plant has caused fatalities in East Africa (Fuller and McClintock 1986). Family pets should not be allowed to ingest the plant.

Nomenclature:

Scientific Name: Euphorbia tirucalli L.
Vernacular name(s): penciltree
Scientific family name: Euphorbiaceae
Vernacular family name: spurge

Euphorbia tirucalli L.
Euphorbia tirucalli L.

Geographic Information

Plant or plant parts used in or around the home.

Toxic parts:

Latex.

Notes on Toxic plant chemicals:

Toxic ingenol and 4-deoxyingenol are diterpenes that have been isolated from the latex of penciltree (Frohne and Pfander 1983; Frstenberger and Hecker 1986).

Toxic plant chemicals:

4-deoxyingenol

Animals/Human Poisoning:

Note: When an animal is listed without additional information, the literature (as of 1993) contained no detailed explanation.

Humans

General symptoms of poisoning:

penciltreeblindness, temporary
keratoconjunctivitis
Notes on poisoning:
Penciltree latex causes keratoconjunctivitis if it gets into the eyes. The symptoms include immediate burning pain of the eyeball and eyelids, tearing, and photophobia. These symptoms are followed by 8-12 h of chemosis of the lids and conjunctiva, with blurred vision and increased pain. Erosion of the corneal epithelium, decreased visual acuity, and corneal edema occur (Crowder and Sexton 1964).

Friday, April 27, 2012

Pawpaw

General poisoning notes:

Pawpaw (Asiminia triloba) is a native tree found in southwestern Ontario. The tree has edible fruit that has caused dermatitis in some individuals and can also cause severe gastroenteritis when it is ingested. This tree has limited distribution in southwestern Ontario (Kingsbury 1964).

Nomenclature:

Scientific Name: Asimina triloba (L.) Dunal
Vernacular name(s): pawpaw
Scientific family name: Annonaceae
Vernacular family name: custard-apple

Asimina triloba (L.) Dunal
Asimina triloba (L.) Dunal

Geographic Information

Ontario

Toxic parts:

Mature fruit.

Animals/Human Poisoning:

Note: When an animal is listed without additional information, the literature (as of 1993) contained no detailed explanation.

Humans

Osage-orange

General poisoning notes:

Osage-orange (Maclura pomifera) is occasionally planted as an ornamental shrub in the warmest parts of Canada. The milky sap causes dermatitis in sensitive individuals. It is unclear whether the sap is an irritant, is sensitizing, or both (Muenscher 1975, Mitchell and Rook 1979).

Nomenclature:

Scientific Name: Maclura pomifera (Raf.) C. K. Schneid.
Vernacular name(s): Osage-orange
Scientific family name: Moraceae
Vernacular family name: mulberry

Maclura pomifera (Raf.) C. K. Schneid.
Maclura pomifera (Raf.) C. K. Schneid.

Geographic Information

Plant or plant parts used in or around the home.

Notes on Poisonous plant parts:

A milky juice is contained in the leaves, stems, and large fruit of this plant. Some humans are sensitive to the plant juice (Muenscher 1975).

Toxic parts:

Plant juices.

Toxic plant chemicals:

unknown chemical

Animals/Human Poisoning:

Note: When an animal is listed without additional information, the literature (as of 1993) contained no detailed explanation.

Humans

Oriental poppy

General poisoning notes:

Oriental poppy (Papaver orientale) is a perennial ornamental herb that is commonly planted in flower beds. This plant contains some alkaloidal chemicals that may be physiologically active in animals, but no cases of poisoning have occurred under natural conditions. During fall and spring clean-up, all old flower heads and pods should be picked up so that they are not left for animals to eat (Kingsbury 1964).

Nomenclature:

Scientific Name: Papaver orientale L.
Vernacular name(s): Oriental poppy
Scientific family name: Papaveraceae
Vernacular family name: poppy

Papaver orientale L.
Papaver orientale L.

Geographic Information

Plant or plant parts used in or around the home.

Toxic parts:

All parts, plant juices

Notes on Toxic plant chemicals:

Some alkaloidal chemicals that may be physiologically active have been found in Oriental poppy (Kingsbury 1964).

Toxic plant chemicals:

unknown chemical

Animals/Human Poisoning:

Note: When an animal is listed without additional information, the literature (as of 1993) contained no detailed explanation.

Cattle

Opium poppy

General poisoning notes:

Opium poppy (Papaver somniferum) is an ornamental flower that can still be found around some older homes. The plant persists by setting seed each year. This plant is the source of pharmacological and recreational drugs, as well as the poppy seeds that are used for oil and as a condiment on bagels, cakes, and other foods. Cattle have been poisoned in Europe after ingesting either stalks with pods that were being discarded or seed residue left over from oil extraction. Humans are either poisoned or addicted by various contained and derived chemicals found in the opium poppy (Frohne and Pfander 1983, Cooper and Johnson 1984). It is important to note that poppy seeds sold in stores are harmless, as the toxins have been destroyed by heat (Fuller and McClintock 1986).

Nomenclature:

Scientific Name: Papaver somniferum L.
Vernacular name(s): opium poppy
Scientific family name: Papaveraceae
Vernacular family name: poppy

Papaver somniferum L.
Papaver somniferum L.

Geographic Information

Plant or plant parts used in or around the home.

Toxic parts:

All parts,immature fruit, plant juices

Notes on Toxic plant chemicals:

Opium poppy contains a crude resin, opium, that is found throughout the plant but is concentrated in the unripe seed pod in the milky sap. Medicinal drugs, such as morphine and codeine, as well as other alkaloids, such as papaverine and protopine, are found in opium poppy (Cooper and Johnson 1984).

Toxic plant chemicals:

Codine, morphine, protopine.

Animals/Human Poisoning:

Note: When an animal is listed without additional information, the literature (as of 1993) contained no detailed explanation.

Cattle

General symptoms of poisoning:

Ataxia, breathing, rapid, gastroenteritis, nervousness.
Notes on poisoning:
Cattle that ingested plant material of opium poppy exhibited symptoms of restlessness and constant motion. Continuous lowing occurred. Feeding, rumination, and lactation ceased. Animals went into a deep sleep. Affected animals are an economic loss because of the slow recovery and reduced milk yield. Postmortem examination showed inflammation of the kidneys and intestines, with yellowing of the liver (Cooper and Johnson 1984).

Humans

General symptoms of poisoning:

Cyanosis, death by asphyxiation, eczema, headache, pupils, pinpoint, sweating.

Onion

General poisoning notes:

Cultivated onion (Allium cepa) has caused hemolytic anemia in livestock including cattle, horses, and experimentally in sheep. Death can occur in severe cases. The formation of Heinz bodies in the red blood cells is a common occurrence. Heinz bodies consist of a precipitate, denatured hemoglobin caused by oxidant attack (Hutchinson 1977).

Nomenclature:

Scientific Name: Allium cepa L.
Vernacular name(s): onion
Scientific family name: Liliaceae
Vernacular family name: lily

Allium cepa L.
Allium cepa L.

Geographic Information

Plant or plant parts used in or around the home.

Toxic parts:

Bulbs, leaves.

Notes on Toxic plant chemicals:

Onions (Alliumspp.) contain various toxins that can cause problems. N-propyl disulphide, an alkaloid, has been implicated as the toxic chemical (Hutchinson 1977). More recent studies have shown that S-methyl-L-cysteine sulfoxide (SMCO) is involved in forming Heinz bodies and hemolytic anemia. This chemical is less toxic in nonruminant animals (Benevenga et al. 1989).

(Note: calcium oxalate crystals have been found in the dry outer skin or scale leaves of this plant (Sarma and Terpó 1980)). Garlic (Allium sativum) is a cultivated plant grown for its bulbs.

Toxic plant chemicals:

N-propyl disulphide
oxalate
S-methyl-L-cysteine sulfoxide (SMCO)

S-methyl-L-cysteine sulfoxide 

Animals/Human Poisoning:

Note: When an animal is listed without additional information, the literature (as of 1993) contained no detailed explanation.

Cattle

General symptoms of poisoning:

Death, Heinz bodies.

Horses

General symptoms of poisoning:

Anemia, breath, onion odor of, breathing, rapid, death, icterus, weight loss.

Sheep

General symptoms of poisoning:

Anemia

Oleander

General poisoning notes:

Oleander (Nerium oleander) is an ornamental indoor shrub found in Canadian homes and offices. This plant is quite toxic if the leaves or stems are ingested. Humans have died after eating meat that was skewered with oleander stems. Ingesting a single leaf may be toxic to a person. The dry leaves remain toxic. Cattle, horses, and sheep have been poisoned experimentally (Wilson 1909, Kingsbury 1964). Livestock are not likely to have access to oleander in Canada. Children and family pets should be prevented from ingesting green or dry leaves, chewing stems, or sucking the nectar from flowers.

Nomenclature:

Scientific Name: Nerium oleander L.
Vernacular name(s): oleander
Scientific family name: Apocynaceae
Vernacular family name: dogbane

Nerium oleander L.
Nerium oleander L.

Geographic Information

Plant or plant parts used in or around the home.

Toxic parts:

All parts, flowers, leaves, stems, young shoots

Notes on Toxic plant chemicals:

Oleandrin, a cardiac glycoside, is found throughout the plant, including the nectar of the flowers. Smoke from burning twigs is said to be toxic (Fuller and McClintock 1986).

Toxic plant chemicals:

Oleandrin

Oleandrin

Animals/Human Poisoning:

Note: When an animal is listed without additional information, the literature (as of 1993) contained no detailed explanation.

Cattle

General symptoms of poisoning:

Breathing, rapid, death, heart rate, elevated, mouth, irritation of, pupil dilation.
Notes on poisoning:
Experimental poisoning of cattle has shown symptoms that include elevated breathing and heart rate. If a large dose is given, the heart action becomes so low that a pulse is almost undetectable. Green leaves at a rate of as little as 0.005% of a cow''s body weight can cause death (Wilson 1909, Kingsbury 1964).

Horses

General symptoms of poisoning:

Breathing, rapid, death, mouth, irritation of, pupil dilation.
Notes on poisoning:
Experimental poisoning of horses with fresh oleander leaves resulted in toxic symptoms, including elevated breathing and pulse, greenish feces, some abdominal pain, cold extremities, and a swollen and irritated mouth and tongue. A dose of green leaves equal to 0.005% of a horse''s body weight is sufficient to kill a horse (Wilson 1909, Kingsbury 1964).

Humans

General symptoms of poisoning:

Abdominal pains, coma, death, diarrhea, dizziness, drowsiness, dyspnea, mouth, irritation of, nausea.
Notes on poisoning:
Humans have been poisoned from using the twigs of oleander to skewer meat or roast frankfurters. Ingesting a single green or dry leaf may cause poisoning. Symptoms include dizziness, abdominal pain, vomiting, unconciousness, bloody stools, and light and rapid pulse. Death has occurred in some cases. Symptoms occur several hours after ingesting a toxic dose (Wilson 1909, Kingsbury 1964).

Sheep

General symptoms of poisoning:

Breathing, rapid, death, mouth, irritation of
Notes on poisoning:
Experimental feeding of green oleander leaves has caused elevated breathing, partial unconsciousness, sore mouth and nostrils, discolored mucous membranes, and death (dose: 0.015% body weight of green leaves). Cold extremities and gastroenteritis also occur (Wilson 1909, Kingsbury 1964).

Ohio buckeye

General poisoning notes:

Ohio buckeye (Aesculus glabra) is not native to Canada but is occasionally planted as an ornamental tree in southern Ontario. It is winter-hardy in Ottawa. Cattle have been poisoned in the eastern United States, where this tree is a native species. Symptoms are mostly gastrointestinal and neuromuscular (Kornheiser 1983). This plant is unlikely to cause livestock poisoning because it is rare in Canada. The fruits of this plant may be attractive to children and could cause poisoning if ingested.

Nomenclature:

Scientific Name: Aesculus glabra Willd.
Vernacular name(s): Ohio buckeye
Scientific family name: Hippocastanaceae
Vernacular family name: horse-chestnut

Aesculus glabra Willd.
Aesculus glabra Willd.

Geographic Information

Plant or plant parts used in or around the home.

Toxic parts:

Mature fruit

Animals/Human Poisoning:

Note: When an animal is listed without additional information, the literature (as of 1993) contained no detailed explanation.

Cattle

General symptoms of poisoning:

Ataxia, gait, unsteady, opisthotonos, torticollis.

Humans

General symptoms of poisoning:

Death, gastroenteritis.

Oats

General poisoning notes:

Oats (Avena sativa) can cause nitrate toxicity in livestock. Cattle are more prone to toxicity, but swine and turkeys have been poisoned on oat stubble. Grass tetany also occurs during periods of lush growth when ruminants suffer from a mineral imbalance.

Nomenclature:

Scientific Name: Avena sativa L.
Vernacular name(s): oats
Scientific family name: Poaceae
Vernacular family name: grass

Avena sativa L.
Avena sativa L.

Geographic Information

Alberta, British Columbia, Manitoba, New Brunswick, Newfoundland, Nova Scotia, Ontario, Prince Edward Island, Quebec, Saskatchewan, Yukon Territory.

Toxic parts:

Leaves, stems.

Notes on Toxic plant chemicals:

Oat hay is a common source of plant poisoning by nitrates. Evidence suggests that moisture on outdoor hay may promote bacterial reduction of nitrate to the more toxic nitrite (Kingsbury 1964).

Toxic plant chemicals:

nitrate

Animals/Human Poisoning:

Note: When an animal is listed without additional information, the literature (as of 1993) contained no detailed explanation.

Cattle

General symptoms of poisoning:

Cyanosis, death, gait, staggering, trembling, weakness.

Swine

Turkeys 

Northern water-hemlock

General poisoning notes:

Northern water-hemlock (Cicuta virosa) is a native perennial herb found in wet soils across northern Canada. It contains lower quantities of the toxic chemicals that cause poisoning in humans and livestock. However, Frohne and Pfander (1983) mention a case of human poisoning in Europe after ingestion of some rootstock of this plant. Livestock can also be poisoned if enough of the plants are ingested. Instances of poisoning in Canada should be fewer for northern water-hemlock because the concentration of chemicals is lower and the plant has essentially a boreal distribution outside of major livestock-growing areas. See additional information under Cicuta maculata

Nomenclature:

Scientific Name: Cicuta virosa L.
Vernacular name(s): northern water-hemlock
Scientific family name: Apiaceae
Vernacular family name: parsley

Cicuta virosa L.
Cicuta virosa L.

Geographic Information

Alberta, British Columbia, Manitoba, Northwest Territories, Ontario, Quebec, Saskatchewan, Yukon Territory.

Toxic parts:

Leaves, roots.

Toxic plant chemicals:

cicutol

cicutol
Cicutol
cicutoxin
Chemical diagram(s) are courtesy of Ruth McDiarmid, Biochemistry Technician, Kamloops Range Station, Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada, Kamploops, British Columbia, Canada.

Animals/Human Poisoning:

Note: When an animal is listed without additional information, the literature (as of 1993) contained no detailed explanation.

Horses

Humans

Narcissus

General poisoning notes:

Narcissus (Narcissus poeticus) is an ornamental bulb that is planted outdoors as a perennial and is occasionally used indoors as a winter forced flower. This plant contains allergens in the aboveground plant parts, which cause dermatitis in sensitive humans. Ingesting the bulbs can cause poisoning in humans and has also poisoned some cattle. Family pets could be at risk if they ingest quantities of this plant. Serious cases of poisoning are rare. Humans have been poisoned only when the bulbs were mistaken for onions (Mitchell and Rook 1979, Litovitz and Fahey 1982, Cooper and Johnson 1984). See notes under daffodil (Narcissus pseudonarcissus) for more information.

Nomenclature:

Scientific Name: Narcissus poeticus L.
Vernacular name(s): narcissus
Scientific family name: Amaryllidaceae
Vernacular family name: amaryllis

Narcissus poeticus L.
Narcissus poeticus L.

Geographic Information

Plant or plant parts used in or around the home.

Notes on Poisonous plant parts:

See notes under daffodil (Narcissus pseudonarcissus) for more information.

Toxic parts:

Bulbs, flowers, leaves.

Notes on Toxic plant chemicals:

The bulbs contain oxalate crystals as well as an alkaloid lycorine, which cause toxic problems. Unknown allergens in the leaves and flowers cause dermatitis in sensitive individuals (Mitchell and Rook 1979).

Toxic plant chemicals:

Lycorine, oxalate.

Lycorine
Lycorine

Animals/Human Poisoning:

Note: When an animal is listed without additional information, the literature (as of 1993) contained no detailed explanation.

Cattle

General symptoms of poisoning:

Convulsions, gastroenteritis.
Notes on poisoning:
In World War II, cattle were fed bulbs of daffodils, with toxic results. Ingesting narcissus bulbs can have similar results. The animals were given these plants because of scare food supplies (Cooper and Johnson 1984).

Humans

General symptoms of poisoning:

Dizziness, eczema, erythema, nausea, skin, flushed, vomiting.
Notes on poisoning:
Symptoms of ingesting narcissus bulbs include lightheadedness, nausea, and vomiting. More severe symptoms are rare because of rapid emesis (Litovitz and Fahey 1982).

Naked-flowered sneezeweed

General poisoning notes:

Naked-flowered sneezeweed (Helenium flexuosum) is a native herb found in Ontario and Quebec. This plant has caused poisoning in horses and sheep and, experimentally, in calves. It contains sesquiterpene lactones.

Nomenclature:

Scientific Name: Helenium flexuosum Raf.
Vernacular name(s): naked-flowered sneezeweed
Scientific family name: Asteraceae
Vernacular family name: asteraceae

Helenium flexuosum Raf.
Helenium flexuosum Raf.

Geographic Information

Ontario, Quebec.

Toxic parts:

Leaves, stems.

Notes on Toxic plant chemicals:

Flexuosin A and B are closely related to the chemical helenalin, which is found in sneezeweed (Helenium autumnale). These are all sesquiterpene lactones (Herz 1988).

Toxic plant chemicals:

Flexuosin A, flexuosin B

flexuosin B
Flexuosin B

Animals/Human Poisoning:

Note: When an animal is listed without additional information, the literature (as of 1993) contained no detailed explanation.

Cattle

Horses

Sheep

General symptoms of poisoning:

Convulsions, dyspnea, weakness.
Notes on poisoning:
Horses are more susceptible than sheep to poisoning by naked-flowered sneezeweed (Kingsbury 1964).