Poisonous Plants

In Florida, we have many beautiful plants in our houses, yards, parks and schools. Some can be dangerous. The ingestion or contact with some of these plants may cause symptoms such as, skin, eye and mouth irritation, pain, breathing problems, allergic reactions, stomach pain, vomiting, diarrhea, or even death. Most accidental ingestions occur in children under six (6) years of age.

• Do you know the names of the plants you or your neighbors have?
• Do you know which plants are poisonous?
• What will you do if a person is exposed to a poisonous plant?

HOW YOU CAN HELP PREVENT POISONING ACCIDENTS FROM PLANTS:

1. Recognize the plants in your surroundings. Know which are potentially poisonous. Purchase non-toxic plants. Keep a list of toxic and non-toxic plants in your area.
   
   
2. Teach children that putting leaves, stems, flowers, seeds, berries or wild mushrooms in their mouths is dangerous.
   
   
3. Avoid the use of "medicines" or "teas" made from plants.
   
   
4. Keep a bottle of Syrup of Ipecac in your house for each child under the age of six (do not use unless instructed to do so by your physician or the poison information center.)
   
   
5. Keep the Poison Information Center number by your phone.
   
   
6. Call your doctor or the poison information center as soon as the exposure occurs. If asked to go to the emergency room take part of the plant, seeds, or berries with you.
   
   
7. Never eat wild mushrooms and destroy mushrooms that appear in the yard.
   
   
8. Use non-toxic plants indoors when there are children under the age of six.
   
   
9. Learn more about the plants in your surroundings.

Click here for more information on poisonous plants of Florida.