Toxic or Poisonous - Plant Encyclopedia Results

Abrus precatorius has small pretty purple flowers located at the end of the stalks. Fruits are short, inflated pods, splitting open when mature to reveal the round; hard and shiny seeds which are scarlet, but black at the base. Seeds contain abrin, one of the most toxic plant poisons known.

This shrub is one of three members of the genus, Acokanthera. It belongs to the same family as many popular subtropical ornamental plants such as frangipani, allamanda and oleander, as well as the impala lily and num-num. This family is characterized by having sweetly scented flowers and sticky, milky sap which is very poisonous. The Bushman's poison is a hardy drought. It's a frost resistant, evergreen shrub that tolerates full sun but prefers shade, it also does well as a container plant.

Acokanthera oppositifolia (Bushman's Poison) is a large shrub, typically growing 5-10 feet tall. It has glossy dark green leaves that are opposite and grow up to 3-4 inches long. In the spring and summer months, the Bushman's Poison flowering shrub is adorned with white, off-white flowers which have a strong, sweet, perfume-like scent.

In its native habitat, the Acokanthera oppositifolia is mainly used for its ethnomedical applications, such as treatment for headaches, inflammations, fever and even malaria. However, it should be noted that the milky sap is considered to be poisonous or toxic and should not be ingested.

As an ornamental plant, the Bushman's Poison works well in well-drained soil in full sun or partial shade and requires moderate amounts of water. It is suitable for growing in regions with USDA Hardiness Zones 9-11 and a mature plant can tolerate short periods of time in temperatures as low as 30°F. When growing in a pot, it is advisable to move the container to a protected area during cold winters and to protect the roots from the frost.

Different Aconitum species (and their varieties) scattered across temperate regions of globe.

These are handsome plants, the tall, erect stem being crowned by racemes of large and eye-catching blue, purple, white, yellow or pink zygomorphic flowers. Aconitum is grown in gardens for its attractive spike like inflorescences and showy flowers.

All Aconitum plants contain poisonous alkaloids that can, in sufficient quantity, be deadly. Man has used Aconitum as a medicine and poison for thousands of years. Outside Europe it was widely used for its medical properties.

Aesculus californica is a large deciduous shrub or small tree, up to 4â€"12 m (13â€"39 ft) tall, with gray bark often coated with lichens and mosses. It is used as an ornamental plant for its striking leaf buds, lime green foliage, fragrant white flowers, red-brown foliage in mid to late summer, and architectural silver branches through fall. The tree also acts as a soil binder, which prevents erosion in hilly regions.

The seeds are poisonous. The nectar and pollen of the flowers is toxic to honeybees, so the trees should not be planted near apiaries.

Aesculus parviflora is grown as an ornamental plant in gardens, where its August flowering attracts butterflies. It prefers moist, well-drained soils in part shade to full shade.

This plant is highly poisonous to humans IF EATEN.

The Pulai Tree is a native to Southeastern Asia, and is widely cultivated in tropical and subtropical regions. It can grow to a big tree, typically taller than 20 feet, or a smaller tree, which is 10-20 feet in height. This hardwood evergreen tree prefers full sun or semi-shade and a soil that is evenly moist but can tolerate some drought. It also prefers an acidic soil with a pH of 5.5 to 6.5.

The Pulai Tree produces fragrant white or off-white flowers throughout the year, making it a popular ornamental plant in many regions. It attracts butterflies, hummingbirds, and other pollinators. An ethnomedical plant, it has various medicinal benefits. The latex is used against shingles, boils, abcesses, and ringworm and is an ingredient in chewing gum. The leaves and roots of the tree also possess antifungal and anti-inflammatory properties.

When grown in pots, the Pulai Tree needs regular and even watering and is best placed in a sheltered spot away from cold winds. In areas located in USDA Zones 9-11, the tree can be grown outdoors, otherwise it must be placed over winter in a protected location. However, it is important to note that the plant is potentially poisonous or toxic when taken internally, so it should be kept away from children. With regular care and maintenance, the Pulai Tree can bring year-round beauty and fragrance to any garden or home.

This fascinating rare plant with white, strongly perfumed flowers is valued as a fast growing, impressive ornamental shade tree.

Popularly known as Devil Tree, as plant is believed to the devil's abode - probably due to the intoxicating fragrance emitted by flowering trees, especially at night.

The tree is of great cultural significance in the intellectual circle, as traditionally its leaves were awarded to scholars and teachers during convocation ceremonies by the Visva Bharati University (can't think of a better name than Alstonia scholaris!). This tradition was started by Rabindranath Tagore.

See Article about Alstonia.

Anacardium excelsum is a towering tropical tree recognized for its impressive height, broad crown, and distinctive fruiting structures within the cashew family.

This species develops a massive trunk with spreading branches and produces fleshy pedicels that support hard nut-like seeds, giving it a characteristic appearance in mature landscapes.

What makes Anacardium excelsum distinctive?

Anacardium excelsum grows into a very large canopy tree with straight boles and wide crowns that dominate their surroundings. Its evergreen leaves are broad, leathery, and arranged to capture high light levels in humid lowland forests. The small flowers appear in loose clusters, followed by swollen, pear-shaped pedicels that turn yellow or reddish and hold the hard seed at the tip. The seeds and fruit of this wild cashew species are poisonous when raw, but after roasting the nuts become edible - many people say they taste similar to common cashews.The tree prospers in deep, moist soils of tropical regions, showing rapid growth in hot, rainy seasons and steady vigor in warm, frost-free environments. Its size and structure make it suitable primarily for spacious tropical landscapes, where it serves as a defining shade tree with notable fruit morphology typical of the genus.