Many of the physical defenses of plants such as thorns are directed against chewing animals and the poisons in the wood are defenses against insects. Whereas poisonous fruit may be to stop animals from eating them

Funnily enough and animals and insects have developed to a where plant toxins form part of their own defense. An example of this is where the with monarch butterflies larvae store the toxic cardiac glycosides from the plant milkweed (Asclepias curassavica). This in turn deters birds from feeding on the caterpillars. But mostly the poisons deter and if we eat them and get sick it is not the fault of the plant

Symptoms
There are approximately 2000 plants in Australia are in some way poisonous to humans.
Fortunately most poisonous plants have a terrible taste that would deter most people from eating them, but unfortunately other plants look quite safe to eat and may even taste OK such as a green potatoes cooked up or the stems of the Rhubarb plant can be eaten but the leaves are poisonous. The same, though to a lesser degree, with the leaves Beetroot plant

Poisonous plants symptoms range in degree from a long drawn out death by suffocation to simple skin irritations.

As there are no common characteristics of form, coloring, odor or taste which distinguish a poisonous plant from a non-poisonous plant. The backyard can hold for the unwary some dangerous plants that could harm children and babies. Babies tend to pickup and put things into their mouths, and even a small amount of a poisonous plant could cause death or extreme sickness.

Recently two men died while out camping and stirred their tea with an Oleander branch and the sap in the one branch was enough to kill both of them

Therefore to avoid poisoning, we need to learn what the known poisonous plants look like so as to avoid eating them or putting them out of harm’s way,

It is also imperative that we never dump any sort of gardening rubbish at the side of the road, over a fence or into a paddock as unwittingly you could kill the native or farm animals

Some plants to watch out for
Hellebore (Helleborus argutifolius) can be dangerous. Its sap can be corrosive, creating continuously weeping wounds, so handle them with great care.

English box Buxus sempervirens and Microphylla Nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, dizziness, convulsions, respiratory failure. Contact with cell sap may cause skin irritation.

Chinese Privet, Small-leaf Privet Ligustrum sinense A popular hedge plant, (it is also a serious weed pest). The bitter leaves and black berries are toxic, leading to possible liver damage in humans and death in animals.

Lantana Vomiting, diarrhea, dilated pupils, labored respiration; the leaves may cause dermatitis.

Castor oil plant Castor beans affect all animals and humans. Even one of them may be sufficient to cause death. They contain some of the strongest toxins of our planet’s flora: The symptoms then are nausea and vomiting, stomachache, right up to collapse and death.

Hemlock For an adult the ingestion of more than 100 mg of coniine (approximately 6 to 8 fresh leaves, or a smaller dose of the seeds or root) may result in fatality.

Chilies (especially hot varieties) can be very attractive to children. Although eating them is unlikely to be fatal hot chilies can cause children a lot of damage and subsequent upset.

Cow’s udder plant The fruits are ripe when they are a dark yellow or orange. Like all nights shades can because fruits are poisonous causing, rashes, vomiting or diarrhea.

Before soap was common in villages, the juice was used as a deterrent to wash clothes. ”

Deadly nightshade is mainly abused by humans for its hallucinogenic effects. It is one of the most common causes of poisonings in humans in Europe. In ancient times, this plant was used to dilate women’s pupils to make their eyes appear more beautiful

Apple of Sodom Solanum carolinense Exposure to juice or sap from these plants or a puncture wound from the thorns may produce a skin rash or irritation. Ingestion may cause minor symptoms such as rash, vomiting or diarrhea.

Kangaroo Apple Solanum aviculare All plants in this genus are toxic to some degree. Although the ripe orange fruits are sometimes eaten, the green berry fruits are poisonous, as are the leaves. The berries are attractive to children

Angels trumpet (Brugmansia) All parts of the plants are extremely toxic. The flowers can cause dangerous hallucinations and extreme sickenss.

Cycads.The seeds are bright red and yellow and look appealing but are poisonous and should not be eaten. When used as bush tucker, the seed is carefully leached of toxins before they are ground into flower.

From Cooks 1770 expedition the seeds of Cycads] seem to be the most likely cause of the diarrhea and vomiting among the men and death in some of the pigs

Oleander (Nerium oleander) Fortunately a parts of this wonderful plant taste awful as it is highly toxic The powdered wood is used in Europe to kill rats and it has been shown that humans have been poisoned by inhaling the smoke from its burning wood. Keep the lower leaves away from children and pets

Chinese Lucky Plant Aglaonema commutatum Can cause Nausea and vomiting particularly in pets

Elephant Ears, Giant Taro Alocasia macrorhiza These plants are very poisonous. They are a common garden plant or in pots for indoor decoration, thus providing easy access for children. All parts of this plant are poisonous.

Poinsettia The sap is an irritant, so handle plants with care. The leaves and seeds can cause delirium if eaten.

Monstera deliciosa Except for the ripe fruit all parts of this plant are poisonous causing Intense burning and possible injury to the mouth, tongue, and throat; nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea. Contact with the sap may also cause skin irritation.

Euphorbia These plants all have a milky white sap which leaks out of cut stems. It’s toxic and very difficult to remove from the skin. The sap can cause skin irritation and the eating of the plant can even cause death

Rhubarb leaves The stalks are edible but the leaves contain a toxin. Don’t eat the leaves and don’t feed leaves to chooks or pet birds.

Some Creepers
Chinese Wisteria
All parts of this plant are suspected to be toxic.
Eating the seeds/pods can cause gastric pain and vomiting.
Lonicera species English Honeysuckle, Woodbine
Although the leaves of some species are toxic, it is only the seeds or berries that are potentially dangerous. Most of the flowers are exquisitely perfumed.

Bulbs
AmaryllisThe bulbs are poisonous.
Agapanthus orientalis African lily
Daffodils and other narcissus
Arum lily .
Green potatoes

Yes even some common natives can be poisonous
Pimelea ferruginea
This occurs naturally in south Western Australia and is widely cultivated. Although not normally associated with toxicity, most pimeleas may contain animal toxins.

Wax flower (Hoya australis)
Native birdsfoot (Eremophila maculata)

Some mushrooms
The Angel of Death or the Death cap is the world’s most poisonous mushroom is and it grows here. The dangerous thing is that It looks very similar to an edible field mushroom.

It is usually found around the roots of trees in the cooler parts of Australia like Canberra and Melbourne.

Unless the amount eaten is very small, the person is likely to die in a few days without immediate medical intervention

Gold Top mushrooms in Australia, eating these mushrooms can cause you to vomit
and hallucinate.

Fly Agaric mushroom will cause severe stomach upsets to anyone who eats it.

The conclusion is that poisonous plants are fine to grow and a lot of them like Euphorbia and the Oleander are quite beautiful. Just know your plants and put them in the appropriate positions. Keep indoor plants like Chinese lucky plants and Philodendron out of children and pets way and don’t eat a wild mushroom unless you are 100% sure you know what you are eating.

In the event of an emergency dial 000
or contact the Poisons Information Service on 131 126

Grevilleas

There are the third largest group of Australian native plants, with somewhere between 350 and 500 species in the genus. They are fabulous plants that have become increasingly popular in gardens, thanks to the enormous range of hybrids and cultivars available.
They come from ground covers to mighty trees. They flower in white through to the most vibrant of colours.
They vary from specie to specie with many new cultivars coming onto the market all the time. Many flower in winter and provide a feast of nectar for birds when other native plants are not so generous. And they are of course tough

Rhododendrons

In the right position, protected moist and well drained position that is preferably semi shaded, these plants will thrive
Rhodendrons are a fabulous flowering plant in a multitude of colours. They range in size from dwarf pants right up to 5 meter tall shrubs. As long as they are in a

Wintersweet - ‘Chimonanthus praecox’

This plant looks like….. Well let’s say very unattractive in winter. But, toward the end of winter there arrives on the bare branches, small, incredibly sweetly scented, yellow flowers, stained purple inside
It is a quite a vigorous shrub and makes a lovely specimen plant for a sunny, well-drained position. Even somewhere a bit enclosed where it’s scent can be appreciated.
It can be a cut flower to bring the scent of incense into the house

Daphne - ‘Daphne odora Aureomarginata’

Daphne can be a somewhat fickle plant but with it’s clusters of small, sweetly scented, pale pink flowers that open from purple-pink it is a winner in a well drained semi sunny, sheltered position where its handsome, will brighten the winter garden.

Witch Hazel - ‘Hamamelis mollis’

This plant is like the winter sweet, with it’s upright, deciduous form that has clusters of sweetly scented, bright yellow, spidery flowers clinging to bare twigs. In autumn, the bright green leaves turn soft yellow

Winter Honeysuckle - ‘Lonicera

This plant has leaves that are a bit poisonous but as long as you do not make a soup of the leaves it will be fine. This plant is a bit of a climber with clusters of pale yellow, tubular flowers will fill the air and as a cut flower your house with a strong scent

Mahonia - ‘Mahonia japonica’

The lovely evergreen plant with its long branches that are lined with slender spikes of pale yellow flowers has a fragrance reminiscent of lily-of-the-valley.

Viburnum

Ah you have to love the viburnum. Wether it be starting with the deciduous opulus, the snow ball tree to the rugged evergreen Burkwoodii all are so generous with their flowers.

Luculia

Sweet Luculia is its name and sweet by nature. The plant has not only beautifully scented white pink flowers. but also the most wonderful foliage . It’s tall canes to 4 metres are ideal for against a protected semi shaded wall with moist well drained soil.

Gardenia

It has been climed by some that the strong scent of this wonderful winter flowing bush can trigger headaches, asthma, or other reactions in sensitive individuals I have not found this, perhaps not being te sensitive kind. It also has a reputation for being difficult to grow. But don’t belive it as with slightly acidic soils and good drainage they will thrive

Angels trumpet - Brugmansia

This beautiful plant had its reputation ruined by the likes of Carlos Casdinada who ate the leaves and went to exotic and frightening places in their arm chairs
They are easily grown in a moist, fertile, well-drained soil, in full sun to part shade, in frost-free climates.. Most may be propagated easily from cuttings. The name Angel’s Trumpet refers to the large, very dramatic, pendulous trumpet- flowers with a scent most noticeable in early evening.

Winter Flowering Heathers - ‘Erica’

Winter heathers with their masses of pink and white flowers are an upright and compact plant making it ideal for along borders if kept pruned after flowering and are even suitable for container planting.

Silk-tassel Bush - ‘Garrya elliptica’

I have mixed feelings about this plant. If not cared for and given a good position it can look very ordinary Long, silvery catkins up to 20cm long, shine out among glossy, wavy-edged, dark green leaves throughout winter. The silken tassels of his upright, evergreen shrub can however make a stunning feature in the winter garden

Lentern rose- Hellebores

This cute little plant plants produces large saucer-shaped flowers and are ideal for the front of an early spring or winter border. Most hellebores will only grow in shade and prefer a rich loamy soil. But be cautious to use gloves when handling them as the sap in an open wound can cause the wound to not heal

Treasure flower- Gazania

I love this tough little plant they are a low-growing perennial herb with lance-shaped leaves and brightly coloured daisy-like flowers in bronze, yellow and orange tones. It can produce wind-blown seeds and spreads rapidly by layering very well. It withstands salt-laden winds and grows well in sandy soils.

Chefs cap or white Correa- Correa

Flowering time for this little beauty is between May and November, as well as intermittently throughout the year. It is tough and will grow in practically any soil, in shade or full sun. To grow it at its best, a light sandy soil with good drainage and a position protected from wind, with semi shade or dappled light

Protea

Proteas offer brilliant colour and beautiful foliage tips. They have a huge variety of , beautiful flowers and can create a spectacular presence in your garden.
Like a lot of plants from South Africa they are tough, they flower most of the year and survive with minimal care but do like a well drained position