Wicked Plants by Amy Stewart is a real eye opener as prior to reading it I never realized how dangerous and deadly are many of the plants that reside in our garden. I knew about the obvious ones like foxglove and daffodils, but had no idea that the vast majority of things that are planted in my yard can cause pain, injury and death.
Now that Olivia has free reign of the yard, I am being extra mindful of the location of the many toxic plants in the garden. They include: English ivy (berries can cause delirium/respiratory problems; leaf sap irritates skin); philodendron (calcium oxalates in leaves cause abdominal pain); holly (berries contain ilicin poison that disrupts digestive tract and can kill a child); rhubarb (high levels of oxalic acid can cause death); lupine (Lupine toxicity is due to the alkaloid D-lupanine, which is concentrated in seed pods. death can occur within hours); sweet woodruff (used in May wine, high doses can cause paralysis, coma, death); azalea, mountain laurel, rhododendron (contains poison grayanotoxin causing heart problems, dizziness, vomiting); hellebore (sap irritates skin, ingestion can cause convulsions); hydrangea (flowers contain cyanide); lily of the valley (cardiac glycosides in leaves, toxic berries); bleeding heart (toxic alkaloids causing seizures, respiratory problems); sweet pea (all parts poisonous); chrysanthemum (severe allergic reactions); amaryllis (bulb toxic causing vomiting, diarrhea); Virginia creeper (contains oxalate crystals that can cause irritation and possibly skin rash); buttercup (a toxic glycoside effects the entire gastrointestinal tract causing protracted bloody diarrhea); and iris (poisonous rhizomes).
Now I have not mentioned the deadly nightshades like tomatoes, potatoes and peppers. As long as you focus on the fruit you will be fine. And we didn’t even consider the annuals as part of this exercise. I think the Addams family would feel right at home in my yard as well as Miss Marple.
