Toxic and allergenic plants in mediterranean gardens

The plants listed here can cause: Poisoning if parts are eaten or smoke is inhaled when the plant is burned. Phytodermatitis if contact with the skin has occurred. Acute contact dermatitis, either allergic or toxic : Acute allergic contact dermatitis occurs only after previous sensitization. The power of contact allergens varies greatly. In the case of Primula obconica it takes only 4 days. Acute toxic reaction occurs in areas where the skin has been directly exposed to the noxious agent (euphorbia, poison ivy). Chronic contact eczema, either toxic or allergic. Chronic toxic reaction after repeated exposure to the noxious agent. Phototoxic reaction after contact in the presence of light or sun (Ruta, Citrus, Ficus, Hypericum, Plumbago and others). Mechanical irritation on account of irritating parts of plants (Opuntia, Lagunaria, Ampelodesmos, Miscanthus sinensis). Ceratostigma plumbaginoides Plumbaginacea China Causes contact dermatitis with vesicles. It is advisable to wear gloves when pruning the plant. Cestrum nocturnum Solanaceae South America The fruits are more poisonous than the leaves. Inhaled smoke from burned plants is poisonous. Daphne gnidium Thymelaceae Mediterranean A pretty plant from the Mediterranean macchie. All parts, especially the seeds, are very poisonous. Datura stramonium Solanaceae Europe, Asia, Africa Contains hyoscyamine. All parts, particularly roots and seeds are extremely poisonous. The plant has hallucinogenic properties. Used in religious rituals. "Asthma cigarettes" are smoked. Sometimes soya grist can contain seeds of datura. Death in horses and cattle after feeding with soya grist containing 0.3% seeds has been reported from veterinary clinics. Use in cosmetics is prohibited. Datura suaveolens = Brugmansia suaveolens Solanaceae Brazil Indians use it in religious and magic rites. Even the scent can have a narcotic effect. Attention: when pruning this datura, disturbances of vision (mydriasis) may occur. Euonymus europaeus Celastraceae Europe Contains evonosid. All parts, especially the fruits, are poisonous. In adults, 35 fruits cause death after 12-18 hours. Attention: twigs are poisonous to animals too, prevent dogs from playing with them. Euphorbia characias Euphorbiaceae Mediterranean Acute contact allergen. Sap in contact with the eyes can cause blindness. Pollen may cause respiratory allergy (asthma). Euphorbia marginata Euphorbiaceae North America Contains ingenol. Common name: "Snow-of-the-Mountain". Acute toxic reaction. Causes skin irritation and inflammation of the skin. Ficus carica Fig-Tree, Moraceae Mediterranean Contains furocumarin. The sap causes photocontact dermatitis. Unripe fruits are poisonous. Avoid damaged fruits, pressed dry fruits and fruit paste because mycotoxins may develop, causing liver damage and cancer. Ficus rubiginosa Moraceae Photo-contact dermatitis. Lagunaria patersonii Malvaceae South Pacific Tree with fruits. Open fruits shed stiff very irritating fibres which cause itching and inflammation of the skin for weeks. Fruits should be removed if the tree is close to a swimming pool. Lantana camara Verbenaceae West Indies, tropical South America All parts are poisonous. Cultivation is prohibited in S. America. Leaves are used in ethnomedicine. Of the genus Lantana, L.camara is the most poisonous species. Skin contact: photo-toxic reaction. Nerium oleander Apocynaceae Mediterranean Contains 28 glycosides. All parts are very poisonous, as is honey from the pollen. Deaths have been reported from the USA where the wood was used for barbecue sticks! Used as rat poison. Drinking tea of dried leaves can cause death after 2-3 hours. The smoke is very toxic when inhaled. After pruning do not burn the waste! Nicotiana glauca Solanaceae South America An invader to the Mediterranean. All parts are highly toxic if eaten. In Mexico the dried leaves were smoked like tobacco, although they do not contain nicotine. Ornithogalum longibracteatum South Africa Easily mistaken for Urginea maritima. The difference is that Ornithogalum has green skins covering the bulb, while Urginea has red skins covering the bulb, which is much bigger. The bulb is poisonous but the leaves contain sap which is able to heal burn blisters. The bulb is medically used in preparations for treating heart diseases. Phytolacca americana Phytolaccaceae North America Contains saponin glycosides and phytolaccatoxin. All parts are very poisonous, especially the roots and seeds. 10 berries are lethal for children. Yet the use of plant for colouring wine and sweets is reported from ancient times. In Mallorca, the plant is sometimes found growing next to a church. Plumbago capensis Plumbaginaceae South Africa Contact-dermatitis. All members of the Plumbaginaceae contain plumbagin. Primula obconica Primulaceae China Contains primin, a highly potent contact allergen. P. obconica is sold in great quantities in garden centres. The primin responsible for allergic reaction was analysed by Paul Karrer, Zurich, Nobel prize winner in chemistry. Research to eliminate primin from this beautiful primula is now in progress. Ricinus communis Euphorbiaceae India, Tropical Africa Contains ricin, the most toxic of all proteins. 5-6 seeds for children and 10-20 seeds for adults are fatal. The pretty seeds are used for making necklaces! Residue from the oil-pressing process is used in fertilizers. 20 gr are lethal for cattle, 0.2 gr/kg for horses and 1-2 gr/kg for other domestic animals. The Ricinus antigen has a very high potency. When inhaled, for instance in fertilizing lawns, the dust can cause severe respiratory allergies. The oil of Ricinus seeds is listed as a prohibited item. Solandra maxima Solanaceae, Mexico, Venezuela Climber. The flower gives off a fine fragrance but causes irritation to the eyes if contact is too close. Solanum jasminoides, Solanum rantonnetii Solanaceae Tropical South America The fruits are very poisonous, including those of the blue variety. Thevetia peruviana Apocynaceae Mexico, South America Contains glycosides and thevetin. All parts are very poisonous. 8 to 10 seeds are deadly for adults. Urginea maritima Liliaceae Mediterranean All parts are very poisonous, particularly the bulb. 1.5 gr of pulverized bulb are lethal for adults. Children have died eating 1½ teaspoons of syrup. Preparations are used as rat poison. Beware when shredding as cut pieces of the plant cause severe dermatitis. Use in cosmetics is prohibited. Urginea can be easily mistaken for Ornithogalum. Wisteria sinensis Fabaceae China Contains glycosides. The bark and roots are poisonous. Seeds are extremely poisonous, also for dogs. 2-5 seeds are lethal for children.