by an arrow that had been poisoned with manchineel sap during battle with the calusa in florida, dying shortly thereafter. hyacinthus orientalis commonly known as hyacinth. the bulbs are poisonous, causing nausea, vomiting, gasping, convulsions, and possibly death. even handling the bulbs can cause skin irritation. hydrangea spp. known commonly as hydrangea or hortensia. hydrangeas are moderately toxic if eaten, with all parts of the plant containing cyanogenic glycosides. hyoscyamus niger commonly known as henbane. seeds and foliage contain hyoscyamine, scopolamine and other tropane alkaloids. can produce dilated pupils, hallucinations, increased heart rate, convulsions, vomiting, hypertension and ataxia. ilex aquifolium commonly known as european holly. the berries cause gastroenteritis, resulting in nausea, vomiting and diarrhea. iris sibirica also known as siberian iris or siberian flag. most parts of the plant are poisonous (rhizome and leaves), if mistakenly ingested can cause stomach pains and vomiting. also handling the plant may cause a skin irritation or an allergic reaction. jacobaea vulgaris commonly known as ragwort. contains many different alkaloids, including jacobine, jaconine, jacozine, otosenine, retrorsine, seneciphylline, senecionine, and senkirkine. poisonous to livestock and hence of concern to people who keep horses and cattle. horses do not normally eat fresh ragwort due to its bitter taste, however it loses this taste when dried, and becomes dangerous in hay. the result, if sufficient quantity is consumed, can be irreversible cirrhosis of the liver. signs that a horse has been poisoned include yellow mucus membranes, depression, and lack of coordination. the danger is that the toxin can have a cumulative effect; the alkaloid does not accumulate in the liver but a breakdown product can damage dna and progressively kills cells. jacobaea vulgaris is also theoretically poisonous to humans, although poisoning is unlikely as it is distasteful and not used as a food. however, some sensitive individuals can develop an allergic skin reaction after handling the plant because, like many members of the family compositae, it contains sesquiterpine lactones (which are different from the pyrrolizidine alkaloids responsible for the toxic effects), which can cause compositae dermatitis. kalanchoe delagoensis commonly known as mother of millions. contains bufadienolide cardiac glycosides which can cause cardiac poisoning, particularly in grazing animals. during 1997, 125 head of cattle died after eating mother-of-millions on a travelling stock reserve near moree, new south wales, australia. kalmia latifolia commonly known as mountain laurel. contains andromedotoxin and arbutin. the green parts of the plant, flowers, twigs, and pollen are all toxic, and symptoms of toxicity begin to appear about six hours following ingestion. poisoning produces anorexia, repeated swallowing, profuse salivation, depression, uncoordination, vomiting, frequent defecation, watering of the eyes, irregular or difficult breathing, weakness, cardiac distress, convulsions, coma, and eventually death. autopsy will show gastrointestinal irritation and hemorrhage. laburnum spp. known as golden chain. all parts of the plant and especially the seeds are poisonous and can be lethal if consumed in excess. the main toxin is cytisine, a nicotinic receptor agonist. symptoms of poisoning may include intense sleepiness, vomiting, excitement, staggering, convulsive movements, slight frothing at the mouth, unequally dilated pupils, coma and death. in some cases, diarrhea is very severe and at times the convulsions are markedly tetanic. lamprocapnos spectabilis known commonly as bleeding heart. contact with the plant can cause skin irritation in some people from isoquinoline-like alkaloids. lantana camara also known as big-sage, wild-sage, and tickberry. the toxicity of l. camara to humans is undetermined, with several studies suggesting that ingesting unripe berries can be toxic to humans. other studies have found evidence which suggests that ingestion of l. camara fruit poses no risk to humans and are in fact edible when ripe. ligustrum spp. several species, commonly known as privet. berries and leaves are poisonous. berries contain syringin, which causes digestive disturbances and nervous symptoms; can be fatal. privet is one of several plants which are poisonous to horses. privet pollen is known to cause asthma and eczema in patients. it is banned from sale or cultivation in new zealand due to the effects of its pollen on people with asthma. lilium spp. commonly known as lily. most have an unidentified water-soluble toxin found in all parts of the plant. extremely poisonous, yet attractive, to cats, causing acute renal failure; as few as two petals of the flowers can kill. lolium temulentum commonly called darnel or poison ryegrass. the seeds and seed heads of this common garden weed may contain the alkaloids temuline and loliine. some experts also point to the fungus ergot or fungi of the genus endoconidium, both of which grow on the seed heads of rye grasses, as an additional source of toxicity. lupinus spp. commonly known as lupin or lupine. some varieties have edible seeds. sweet lupines have less and bitter lupines more of the toxic alkaloids lupinine and sparteine. malus florentina commonly known as florentine crabapple. all members of this genus contain the toxin hydrogen cyanide in their seeds and possibly also in their leaves. mandragora officinarum commonly called mandrake. alkaloids present in the fresh plant or the dried root included atropine, hyoscyamine, scopolamine (hyoscine), scopine, cuscohygrine, apoatropine, 3-alpha-tigloyloxytropane, 3-alpha,6-beta-ditigloyloxytropane and belladonnines. non-alkaloid constituents included sitosterol and beta-methylesculetin (scopoletin). the alkaloids make the plant, in particular the root and leaves, poisonous, via anticholinergic, hallucinogenic, and hypnotic effects. anticholinergic properties can lead to asphyxiation. melia azedarach known commonly as chinaberry tree, cape lilac, and syringa berrytree. fruits are poisonous to humans if eaten in quantity. the toxins are neurotoxins and unidentified resins found mainly in the fruits. the first symptoms of poisoning appear a few hours after ingestion. they may include loss of appetite, vomiting, constipation or diarrhea, bloody faeces, stomach pain, pulmonary congestion, cardiac arrest, rigidity, lack of coordination and general weakness. death may take place after about 24 hours. melianthus major also called honeybush. all parts of the plant are toxic. menispermum spp. commonly known as moonseed. the fruits and seeds are poisonous, causing nausea and vomiting; often fatal. mentha pulegium known commonly as pennyroyal or pennyrile. it is toxic to humans and has differing effects dependent on the volume and concentration ingested. the most concentrated and toxic form of the pennyroyal plant is pennyroyal oil. the oil contains 80% to 92% of cyclohexanone pulegone. pulegone is the molecule in highest concentration, causes a variety of ailments in those who ingest it and is what causes the plant to have its peppermint flavor. symptoms that may persist after ingesting a small dose (<10 ml) of pennyroyal oil are nausea, vomiting, abdominal pain and dizziness. larger volumes may result in multiorgan failure that could lead to death. narcissus spp. various species and garden cultivars commonly known as daffodil. the bulbs are poisonous and cause nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea; can be fatal. stems also cause headaches, vomiting, and blurred vision. nerium oleander commonly known as oleander. all parts are toxic, the leaves and woody stems in particular. contains nerioside, oleandroside, saponins and cardiac glycosides. causes severe digestive upset, heart trouble and contact dermatitis. the smoke of burning oleander can cause reactions in the lungs, and can be fatal. nicandra physalodes also known as apple-of-peru and shoo-fly plant. the whole plant is said to be toxic (according to some sources, very toxic) and to be used medicinally as a diuretic, sedative and cough medicine. nicotiana glauca known commonly as tree tobacco. it contains the toxic alkaloid anabasine. ingestion of the leaves can be fatal. oenanthe crocata commonly known as hemlock water dropwort. contains oenanthotoxin. the leaves may be eaten safely by livestock, but the stems and especially the carbohydrate-rich roots are much more poisonous. animals familiar with eating the leaves may eat the roots when these are exposed during ditch clearance – one root is sufficient to kill a cow, and human fatalities are also known in these circumstances. scientists at the university of eastern piedmont in italy claimed to have identified this as the plant responsible for producing the sardonic grin, and it is the most-likely candidate for the "sardonic herb," which was a neurotoxic plant used for the ritual killing of elderly people in phoenician sardinia. when these people were unable to support themselves, they were intoxicated with this herb and then dropped from a high rock or beaten to death. criminals were also executed in this way. paris quadrifolia commonly known as herb-paris. each plant only produces one blueberry-like berry, which is poisonous, as are other tissues of the plant. paris quadrifolia poisonings are rare, because the plant's solitary berry and its repulsive taste make it difficult to mistake it for a blueberry. passiflora caerulea also known as the blue passion flower or the common passion flower. the leaves contain cyanogenic glycoside, which breaks down into cyanide. peucedanum galbanum commonly known as blister bush. all parts are poisonous, causing painful blistering upon contact that is intensified with exposure to sunlight. phoradendron spp. commonly known as american mistletoe; see also the related genus viscum. mistletoe is a common hemiparasite of trees and shrubs. toxicity varies by species, but all parts of the plant, especially the leaves and berries, contain an array of dangerous chemicals, including proteins called phoratoxins and toxic alkaloids. symptoms are very similar to those produced by viscum species and may include acute gastrointestinal discomfort, diarrhea, weak pulse and/or slow heart rate, and even seizures; it is rarely lethal to adult humans, however, and many wild animals are adapted to eating its fruit. physostigma venenosum commonly known as calabar beans and ordeal beans. the toxin in the seeds is the parasympathomimetic alkaloid physostigmine, a reversible cholinesterase inhibitor. symptoms of poisoning include copious saliva, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, anorexia, dizziness, headache, stomach pain, sweating, dyspepsia and seizures., and can lead to cholinergic syndrome or "sludge syndrome". medicinal uses of physostigmine include the treatment of myasthenia gravis, glaucoma, alzheimer's disease and delayed gastric emptying. phytolacca spp. commonly known as pokeweed. leaves, berries, and roots contain phytolaccatoxin and phytolaccigenin. the toxicity of young leaves can be reduced with repeated boiling and draining. ingestion of poisonous parts of the plant may cause severe stomach cramping, persistent diarrhea, nausea, vomiting (sometimes bloody), slow and difficult breathing, weakness, spasms, hypertension, severe convulsions, and death. the poisonous principles are found in highest concentrations in the rootstock, then in leaves and stems and then in the ripe fruit. the plant generally gets more toxic with maturity, with the exception of the berries (which have significant toxicity even while green). pieris japonica also known as japanese pieris. the plant is poisonous if consumed by people or animals. plumeria spp. commonly known as frangipani. contact with the milky latex may irritate eyes and skin. podophyllum peltatum commonly known as mayapple. green portions of the plant, unripe fruit, and especially the rhizome contain the non-alkaloid toxin podophyllotoxin, which causes diarrhea and severe digestive upset. prunus laurocerasus also known as cherry laurel, common laurel, and sometimes english laurel. leaves, fruits, and seeds may cause severe discomfort to humans if ingested. the seeds contained within the cherries are poisonous like the rest of the plant, containing cyanogenic glycosides and amygdalin. this chemical composition is what gives the smell of almonds when the leaves are crushed. laurel water, a distillation made from the plant, contains prussic acid and other compounds and is toxic. prunus padus known as bird cherry, hackberry, or mayday tree. the glycosides prulaurasin and amygdalin, which can be poisonous, are present in some parts of p. padus, including the leaves, stems, and fruits. pteridium aquilinum commonly known as bracken. carcinogenic to humans and animals such as mice, rats, horses, and cattle when ingested. the carcinogenic compound is ptaquiloside or ptq, which can leach from the plant into the water supply, which may explain an increase in the incidence of gastric and oesophageal cancers in humans in bracken-rich areas. pulsatilla cernua common names include pasque flower, wind flower, prairie crocus, and meadow anemone. it is highly toxic, and produces cardiogenic toxins and oxytoxins which slow the heart in humans. excess use can lead to diarrhea, vomiting and convulsions, hypotension and coma. quercus spp. several species, commonly known as oak. the leaves and acorns of oak species are poisonous in large amounts to humans and livestock, including cattle, horses, sheep and goats, but not pigs. poisoning is caused by the toxin tannic acid, which causes gastroenteritis, heart trouble, contact dermatitis and kidney damage. symptoms of