Common Poisonous Plants in South Africa

By Bernadette Van Zyl  Dezine-a-garden  WhatsApp at 082 856 7096  Ref: www.gaiasorganicgardens.com.au

There always seems to be a huge confusion around poisonous plants - whether it should be destroyed or left to grow in the garden. I’ve compiled a list of poisonous plants to help you make a decision. Please read the full article before destroying your whole garden.

Common Poisonous Plants in South Africa

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Poisonous plants grow in every garden in South Africa. They form an important part of our indigenous flora, and therefore it is not practical to eradicate them all. It is more important to get to know more about them. Systemic plant poisoning is rare due to the fact that small amounts are usually ingested. Large amounts of these plants need to be consumed before any symptoms will develop. Common plants found in and around the house, and that children often put in their mouths, include the following: The Dumbcane (Dieffenbachia species), ELEPHANT’S EAR (Colocasia), ARUM LILY (Zantedeschia aethiopica) and DELICIOUS MONSTER (Monstera deliciosa). They all contain calcium oxalate crystals. Chewing on parts of these plants may produce an immediate intense pain of the mouth, tongue and lips. Management includes clearing the mouth of plant parts and administration of cool liquids or crushed ice to sooth the burning sensation. All parts of the Arum lily plant are poisonous including the yellow spike and surrounding white spathe. If eaten, symptoms can include swelling of the tongue and throat, stomach pain, vomiting and severe diarrhoea. Severe swelling or gastric irritation may become life threatening.

ELEPHANT’S EAR (Colocasia)

ARUM LILY (Zantedeschia aethiopica) SYRINGA TREE BERRIES (Melia azedarach)

Ingestion of the ripe SYRINGA TREE BERRIES (Melia azedarach) is common in children, but rarely causes any form of poisoning because the ripe berry has a very hard kernel which contains the poisonous substance. To break the kernel you will need to use a hammer. It usually passes through the gastrointestinal tract intact. Nausea and diarrhoea could possibly develop.

OLEANDER PLANT (Nerium oleander¬)

The OLEANDER PLANT (Nerium oleander¬) is known to be poisonous, but large amounts (at least 15 leaves) have to be ingested before systemic poisoning will occur. Simply touching an oleander plant can cause skin irritation, particularly if you come into contact with the plant sap. Oleander is also extremely toxic to cats, dogs, children and horses. This plant has also been identified as an invader plant in South Africa and should be removed from your garden.

Common Poisonous Plants in South Africa

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Plant dermatitis is mainly caused by the EUPHORBIA PLANT SPECIES, (Euphorbia Milii and Euphorbia Tirucali) commonly known as Spurge. It contains a milky sap that is responsible for the skin reaction. Eye contact can cause blindness therefore the eyes should be washed with copious amounts of water. It can also cause serious gastrointestinal and dermal injury. However – having all these poisonous characteristics the Euphorbia plant is also a herb. The parts of the plant that grow above the ground are used to make medicine. It is used for breathing disorders including asthma, bronchitis, and chest congestion. It is also used for mucus in the nose and throat, throat spasms, hay fever, and tumours. The medication is developed professionally and should not be attempted at home.

EUPHORBIA PLANT SPECIES (Euphorbia Tirucali) The STINGING NETTLE (Urtica dioica) will cause red, itchy hives. It is not dangerous and these reactions usually resolve within a few days. This usually grows wild. In rural areas it is used as a pot herb or wild spinach. It is also brewed as a tea for medicinal purposes.

THORN APPLE SEEDS (Datura stramonium)

The most serious toxic effects encountered with plants are the intentional ingestion’s by teenagers of the THORN APPLE SEEDS (Datura stramonium) (often referred to by teenagers as “mal pitte”) and MOON FLOWERS (Ipomoea). They usually ingest this for the hallucinogenic effects. It contains several compounds poisonous to the human body, including atropine and scopolamine, which both interfere with the nervous system. The CDC reports that a person who has ingested Moonflower may experience hallucinations, anxiety, confusion, and, in some cases, coma. Moonflowers are poisonous to everything from horses to chickens, pigs, cows, and sheep as well as to cats and dogs. Essentially it is wise to keep this plant away from all animals and humans.

MOON FLOWERS (Ipomoea)

Having given the list of the most common found poisonous plants in gardens does not mean you have to eradicate them completely. Plant poisoning incidents in hospitals are very rare. A recent study has indicated that one third of the cases involves children up to the age of 4 and the exposures originate mainly from accidental ingestion of house plants or toxic plants around the house. In 15% of the cases adults were not able to give a description of the plant or to specify or describe the ingested part. More serious cases occur in adults who either erroneously confused a plant as edible or deliberately ingested a toxic plant. The incidence of plant poisoning depends on local customs, traditional recipes, nutritional factors, etc. It is important to identify the plants by their botanical name, as common names vary from region to region and often the same common name is used to identify different plants.