Alocasia
speciesCommon names: Elephant's Ear, Cabeza de Burro, Malanga de Jardin, Malanga
Cara de Chivo, Chine Ape, Papao-Apaka, Papao-Atolong, Taro
Description: Erect perennial with long stemmed, spearhead-shaped leaves.
Flowers appear on a greenish stem.
Toxic Part: The leaves and stems are injurious.
Symptoms: Chewing of plant part causes a painful burning sensation of
The lips, mouth, tongue, and throat.
Angel Wings (see
Caladium bicolor) Caladium bicolorCommon names: Caladium, Angel Wings, Caladio, Cananga, Capotillo, Couer
Saignant, Corazon de Cabrito, Heart-of-Jesus, Lagrimas de
Maria, Mother-in-Law Plant, Paleta de Pintor.
Description: Showy, variegated, heart-shaped leaves. Color may vary from
White to orange or red depending on species.
Toxic Part: The whole plant is injurious when ingested.
Symptoms: Intense irritation of the lips, mouth and throat.
Calla Lily (see
Zantedeschia aethiopica)Candelabra Cactus (see
Euphorbia lactea)Dieffenbachia species
Common Names: Dumbcane, Camilichigue, Dumb Plant, Mother-in-Law's Tongue
Plant.
Description: Tall, erect plants with large oblong leaves splotched with
Ivory markings.
Toxic Part: Leaf
Symptoms: Chewing on the leaf produces immediate intense pain followed
By swelling of the mouth.
Elephant Ear (see
Alocasia species)Epipremnum aureum
Common Names: Pothos, Amapalo Amarillo, Devil's Ivy, Golden Ceylon Creeper,
Golden Hunter's Robe, Golden Pothos, Hunter's Robe, Ivy Arum,
Malanga Trepadora, Solomon Island Ivy, Taro Vine, Variegated
Philodendron
Description: Climbing vine with large heart-shaped leaves that are usually
streaked with yellow.
Toxic Part: The whole plant is injurious.
Symptoms: Causes diarrhea upon ingestion. Also causes dermatitis when
touched. Causes burning sensation in mouth when eaten.
Euphorbia
speciesE. lactea
Common Names: Candelabra Cactus
Description: Many-branched succulent, spiny shrub or tree with milky sap
and wing-like spiny ridges.
Toxic Parts: Leaves, stems, and milky sap.
Symptoms: When ingested, causes severe irritation of the mouth, throat,
and skin; temporary blindness; vomiting; diarrhea; and stomach
pain.
E. marginata
Common Names: Snow-on-the-Mountain
Description: Tall annual herb with milky juice, growing up to 3 feet in
height. Leaves are lance shaped and smooth, bordered by
conspicuous white margins. Flowers are bordered with a whorl
of white petal-like leaves. Fruit is 3-celled 3-lobed capsule.
Toxic Parts: Leaves, stems, and milky sap.
Symptoms: When touched, causes blistering of the skin. When ingested,
Causes severe irritation of the mouth, throat, and stomach;
nausea; abdominal pain; fainting; and diarrhea.
E. pulcherrima
Common Names: Poinsettia, Christmas Flower, Christmas Star, Easter Flower.
Description: Large green stem leaves and smaller but showy red, pink, or
Yellow leaves surrounding the flowers. Fruit is a 3-celled, 3-
Lobed capsule.
Toxic Parts: Leaves, stems, and milky sap.
Symptoms: When touched, causes irritant dermatitis. If ingested, may
Cause gastritis.
Jerusalem Cherry (see
Solanum seudocapsicum)Mother-in-Law-Plant (see
Caladium bicolor)Orchid (see
Cypripedium species)Poinsettia (see
Euphorbia pulcherrima)Philodendron species
Common Names: Philodendron
Description: Climbing vines with aerial roots. Leaves large and variable,
the most common being heart-shaped.
Toxic Part: Leaves
Symptoms: When ingested, causes painful burning of the lips, mouth,
tongue, and throat. Contact dermatitis is common.
Solanum pseudocapsicum
Common Names: Jerusalem Cherry, Coral
Description: Mostly herbs or shrubs. Are often spiny, hairy, or have
stinging hairs. Berries are black, orange, yellow, or red.
Toxic Part: Entire plant, especially the berries.
Symptoms: When ingested, causes gastric irritation, scratchy feeling in
the throat, fever, and diarrhea.
Zantedeschia aethiopica
Common Names: Calla, Calla Lily, Lirio Cala.
Description: Smooth-edged arrowhead-shaped leaves which grow on long
stalks. Flower may be white or green.
Toxic Part: Leaves are injurious.
Symptoms: When ingested, causes intense burning of the lips and mouth.
Also direct irritant dermatitis.