Category: Toxic plants

While koalas famously subsist on a diet of eucalyptus leaves, consuming these leaves is highly toxic and dangerous for humans. The compounds that make eucalyptus aromatic and medicinally useful for external applications are poisonous when ingested, even in small quantities.

According to the ASPCA, the autograph tree (*Clusia rosea*) is highly toxic to both people and pets, with the fruit being the most dangerous part. While this ornamental evergreen is known for its distinct paddle-shaped leaves, a common point of curiosity is whether its fruit is safe to consume. So, can you eat the fruit of an autograph tree? The answer is a firm and unequivocal no.

Native to North America, the Virginia creeper is a common ornamental vine that is frequently mistaken for edible grapes. It is crucial to understand that humans cannot eat Virginia creepers, as all parts of the plant are poisonous. Ingesting its berries or leaves, which resemble grapes, can cause severe irritation and a host of other serious health issues due to the presence of tiny, needle-shaped oxalate crystals.

Despite a long history of use in traditional medicine, the sea squill is highly toxic and should never be consumed recreationally. So, can you eat sea squill? The short and unequivocal answer is no, because it contains potent cardiac glycosides that can cause severe poisoning and even death.

According to the Plants for a Future database, crow dipper (Pinellia ternata) is given an edibility rating of only 1 out of 5, a clear warning sign for foragers. This low rating stems from the crucial fact that the raw plant is highly toxic and dangerous if consumed, containing irritants that cause intense pain.

Over centuries, numerous indigenous cultures in North America have utilized snowberry (Symphoricarpos) plants for a range of topical medicinal applications. The key question remains: Are snow berries medicinal in a way that is safe and effective for modern use?

All parts of the bluebell plant contain toxic glycosides that are poisonous to humans and animals alike. So, are bluebells safe to eat? The simple and definitive answer is no, and understanding why is critical for anyone who spends time in the wild or has them in their garden.

Native to the Mediterranean, rue (Ruta graveolens) is a woody, evergreen perennial prized since antiquity for its potent aroma and symbolic meaning. This herb, also known as "herb-of-grace," holds a complex legacy of both medicinal folklore and cautionary warnings.

Despite its ornamental beauty and use in pharmaceutical applications, all parts of the Madagascar periwinkle (Catharanthus roseus) are highly toxic if ingested. This plant contains powerful poisonous chemicals known as vinca alkaloids, which can lead to severe health issues and even be fatal.

Did you know that some species of trillium can take seven years or more to produce their first flower from seed? This incredibly slow growth cycle is just one reason why the question of whether is trillium flower edible is a complex one, with the answer leaning heavily towards caution and conservation.