Skip to Main Content

We have a new app!

Take the Access library with you wherever you go—easy access to books, videos, images, podcasts, personalized features, and more.

Download the Access App here: iOS and Android

INTRODUCTION

Ingestion of plants is one of the top 10 causes of poisoning nationwide. Decorative plants are found in many homes, and home landscaped yards provide access to a variety of attractive and potentially toxic plants. Fortunately, serious poisoning from plants is rare in children because the quantity of plant material required to cause serious poisoning is greater than what a small child ingests. Serious toxicity or death from plant ingestion is usually a result of intentional abuse (eg, jimson weed), misuse (eg, various teas steeped from plants), or suicide attempts (eg, oleander).

MECHANISM OF TOXICITY

Plants can be categorized by their potential toxicity. Table II–51 describes the effects of various plant toxins, and Table II–52 provides an alphabetical list of many potentially toxic plants and herbs.

TABLE II–51.PLANTS: SOME TOXIC COMPONENTS
TABLE II–52.PLANTS: ALPHABETICAL LIST...

Pop-up div Successfully Displayed

This div only appears when the trigger link is hovered over. Otherwise it is hidden from view.