Let's Be Aware

Gardens bring serenity and even delight. Watch little ones tumble about beautiful, fragrant plants. See puppies chase bare toes and shirt tails. Well, that can only produce smiles. Children and pets... did you know that some of the prettiest and prolific plants can be toxic if ingested? Step one is caution, of course. Note, if swallowed, IMMEDIATE medical treatment is necessary.

                                   Beautiful, But Beware >>

RHODODENDRON-- The entire plant is poisonous if ingested...drooling from the mouth, violent vomiting, slowing of pulse, lowering of blood pressure, seizure, coma and death can occur.

LILY-OF-THE-VALLEY-- The entire plant is poisonous if ingested...headache, hot flashes, hallucinations, irritability, red blotches, cold/clammy skin, slowing of the heart, coma and death can occur.

HYDRANGEA-- The entire plant is poisonous if ingested...shortness of breath, dizziness, fainting, rapid pulse, drop in blood pressure, convulsions and death can occur.

POET'S NARCISSUS-- The entire plant is poisonous if ingested...severe nausea, convulsions, fainting, paralysis and death can occur.

FOXGLOVE-- The entire plant is poisonous if ingested...nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, lowered heart rate or ventricular fibrillation can occur.

LARKSPUR-- The entire plant is poisonous if ingested...nausea, burning in the mouth, vomiting, slowing heart rate and death can occur.

OLEANDER-- The entire plant is poisonous if ingested...vomiting, diarrhea, circulatory problems, central nervous system damage causing seizures/tremors, coma and death can occur.

POINSETTIA-- The milky sap in the veins is poisonous if ingested...vomiting and diarrhea can occur.

PURPLE NIGHTSHADE-- The entire plant is poisonous if ingested...loss of voice, respiratory collapse, digestive damage, convulsions and death can occur.

MOUNTAIN LAUREL-- The entire plant is poisonous if ingested...watering of the mouth, nose and eyes, shortness of breath, slowing heart rate, kidney failure, convulsions, paralysis, coma and death can occur.

MISTLETOE-- The entire plant is poisonous if ingested...abdominal pain, diarrhea, inflammation of the stomach and small intestine and cardiovascular collapse can occur.

WATER HEMLOCK-- The entire plant is poisonous if ingested...central nervous system collapse, severe seizures and convulsions, cardiovascular collapse and death within 15 minutes can occur.*

                        Connecticut POISON CONTROL Center
                                      1-800-222-1222   

"Even if I knew that tomorrow the world would go to pieces, I would still plant my apple tree" ~ Martin Luther                                                                             

* [source: This Old House online]