Brugmansia sanguinea (Angel’s Trumpet)
Whole plant toxic, esp. seeds
Symptoms may appear in a few minutes or several hours
Thirst, dryness of mouth & skin, flushing of face, visual disturbances, nausea, rapid pulse, fever, delirium, incoherence,stupor
Victim may pick at imaginary objects in air or on body
Loss of memory
Children suck nectar from base of flower
Have been used deliberately for hallucinogenic effects
Ritualistic use among aboriginal peoples in South America
Conium maculatum (Poison Hemlock)
Distinguish by irregular purple spots on stems & petioles
Whole plant toxic, esp. roots, seeds
Similar to nicotine poisoning
Rapid onset of symptoms
Irritation of mouth & throat, salivation, nausea, vomiting, abdominal pain, diarrhea, thirst, headache, dilation of pupils, sweating, dizziness
Convulsions in severe cases, may cause death due to respiratory failure
Formerly used medicinally as anti-spasmodic, sedative, pain reliever
Common in So. Cal., esp. in riparian areas
May be mistaken for dill, parsley, anise.
Toxicity varies throughout the year
Most poisonous during growing season, flowering period
Dry material least toxic
Datura stramonium (Jimson Weed)
Whole plant toxic, seeds most often the culprit
Has been used deliberately to induce intoxication
Dry mouth, dilation of pupils, dry warm skin, reddening of face/neck, irregularheartbeat, delirium, hallucinations
Digitalis purpurea (Foxglove)
Whole plant toxic
Dried leaves are the source of the drug digitalis
Stimulation of heart, increased flow of urine, disturbed color vision
Can be fatal
Poisoning has occurred when leaves were mistaken for comfrey
Nerium oleander (Oleander)
Whole plant toxic
Smoke from burning wood toxic
Nausea, vomiting, dizziness, irregular heartbeat.
Can be fatal (Only 1 reported death, suspected suicide)
Children have become ill from sucking nectar from flowers
Reported deaths from using sticks to skewer meat are possibly apocryphal
Nicotiana glauca (Tree Tobacco)
Whole plant toxic, esp. leaves
Salivation, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, clammy skin, palpitation
In severe cases, labored breathing, weak irregular pulse, faintness, collapse
Severely poisoned victim may die within a few minutes
Has caused several deaths in CA.
Seedlings appear edible
Respiratory paralysis may require use of iron lung
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Ricinus communis (Castor Bean)
Seeds toxic, leaves to a lesser extent
Ricin is one of the most toxic compounds known
After several hours: burning of the mouth, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, thirst, prostration, convulsions, circulatory collapse
May also cause contact dermatitis, pollen allergies
Number of seeds to produce illness/death varies
2-3 can be fatal to children
2-4 can be fatal to adults
Castor oil is obtained from seeds is not poisonous, though cathartic
Plant reduces population of nematodes in soil
Seed coat must be broken or chewed to release toxin
Taxus baccata (English Yew)
Entire plant toxic, esp. seeds
Highly toxic
Causes gastrointestinal irritation, dizziness, dry throat, dilation of pupils, abdominal pain, nausea, vomiting.
Muscular weakness, rash on skin, comatose, irregular heartbeat
Sudden death can occur of large amounts are ingested
Sonoma Co., March 1969
5 ewes, 1 lamb died
Ewes killed by Yews
Toxicodendron diversilobum (Poison Oak)
-DERMATITIS-
Entire plant toxic, exc. pollen
Toxic all year, including winter
Sensitization occurs after first contact, symptoms appear on subsequent contacts
Time to develop symptoms can be as little as 24 hours in highly sensitive persons
Redness, swelling of skin, constant itching, then blisters
Very sensitive persons may experience swelling of eyes, throat, stomach cramps,nausea, vomiting, diarrhea
Toxin carried in smoke
Lasts 10 days or less
Calamine lotion, cold compresses, cortisone in extreme cases
avoid oily or alcohol-based solutions, benzocaine, phenol, camphor, iron, zirconium
Mushrooms
many kinds
difficult to identify
Kinds of toxins
Causing cellular destruction, kidney and liver damage
Symptoms do not appear for up to 12 hrs.
May be fatal
Amanitin
Amanita poisoning causes 90% of fatal cases of mushroom poisoning
Gyromitrin
Affecting autonomic nervous system
Symptoms appear within 15 minutes to 6 hours
Affecting central nervous system
Symptoms appear within 20 minutes to 2 hours
Includes hallucinogenic mushrooms
Causing gastrointestinal irritation
Largest number of toxic mushrooms are in this group
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