Poison Ivy• Grows in much of the eastern

United States

• Depending on the species,

can be a “shrub” or a “vine”,

the latter requiring a tree for

support.

• In about 75%-85% of the

population, generates contact

dermatitis, or inflammation of

the skin.

• Inflammation caused by

urushiol oil on the plant.

– This oil sticks to nearly anything,

skin, clothing, equipment, etc.

Poison Oak• Grows in much of the western

United States, especially in

California!

• Like Poison Ivy, inflammation

caused by the urushiol oil on

the plant.

• Sometimes hard to spot due to

the plant being obscured by

foliage.

• Note the position of the

leaf…it is an indicator of

poison oak.

Urushiol • An oil found on the leaves of

Poison Ivy, Poison Oak, and

other plants such as the

Lacquer Tree.

• The oil is not a defensive

mechanism, many animals

can safely eat Poison Ivy and

Poison Oak with no ill effects.

• The oil can be processed to

make lacquer for finishing

wood based products.

Oleander• Planted in most parts of the world,

Oleander is thought to have

originated from North Africa or the

Middle-East

• Millions of these plants are grown

along highways and roadways

throughout California.

• Very commonly used in gardens.

• And…one of the most poisonous

gardening plants available.

– Oleander sap can cause dermatitis

(similar to poison ivy and oak)

– Ingestion can cause a whole host

of digestive and nervous system

problems.

Oleander• Toxicity caused by oleandrin in the plant.

• Binds to the proteins that control the sodium/potassium

pumps…which prevents nerve cells from “resetting”.

• This in turn causes muscle cells to continually contract, which in

turn inhibits respiration.

• Symptoms are nausea, abdominal pain, vomiting, salivation, and

bloody diarrhea.

• Secondary symptoms are respiratory paralysis, seizures, and

arrhythmias.

Belladonna• Native to central and southern Europe.

• Toxicity of the plant known for centuries…thought the ancient

Romans used the poison as a tool for assassination

• All parts of the plants are toxic

– Toxicity due to the presence of tropane alkaloids which blocks the

neurotransmitter acetylcholine

– Symptoms include dilated pupils, blurred vision, tachycardia, and balance

issues.

Water Hemlock

• One of the most toxic plants in

North America

• Toxicity caused by cicutoxin

• This plant is usually found next

to ponds, streams, or other

sources of water such as

swamps.

Water Hemlock

• Ingestion of Hemlock introduces

cicutoxin into the body.

• It is thought cicutoxin creates

hyperactivity in the nervous

system

• Unknown what the exact lethal

dose is…there have been

reports of children poisoned

simply by using the stem of the

plant as a whistle

• Thought to have an

extraordinarily long half-life

inside the human body

Arum Maculatum

• Also known as Adder’s Root,

Snakeshead, and Arum.

• Grows bright red berries in the

fall which are extremely

poisonous.

• Fortunately, the berries are not

sweet and immediately cause

a tingling sensation which

prevents further consumption

• Toxicity in berries due to

saponin molecules

Arum Maculatum• Saponins are mainly found in plants, although a few

marine organisms can synthesize them.

• Thought to protect plants against bacteria and fungus.

• Roots of plants containing large amounts of these

molecules can be used to make soap.

• Symptoms of poisoning include irritation of the skin,

mouth, throat, breathing difficulties, and stomach pain.

Castor Bean

• Native to the Mediterranean

region, can also be found as a

decorative plant due to its

rapid growth rate.

• Toxicity of the plant lay within

the beans, which contain the

toxin Ricin.

• Lethal dose is estimated

between 4-8 seeds.

• The seeds must be broken for

the toxin to be released.

Castor Bean

• Ricin is very toxic if it enters the

body.

• Ricin inhibits protein synthesis

in cells.

• Symptoms include pain,

inflammation, nausea, and

hemmorhaging.

• No antidote for poisoning.

Rosary Pea

• Plant is native to India and can

be considered a invasive weed.

• But it is the seeds of this plant

that are extremely toxic

• If the seed is intact, there is little

risk of poisoning.

• However…given the colorful

nature of the seeds, it is often

used in jewelry and can attract

people to eat them

• A single seed is enough to

fatally poison an adult.

Rosary Pea

• Rosary peas contain the toxin

Abrin…which operates similar

to Ricin, but Abrin is much more

potent.

• Like Ricin, Abrin inhibits protein

synthesis.

• Symptoms include nausea,

pain, vomiting, and diarrhea.

• No antidote exists for abrin

poisoning.