- Acconite
(Aconitum spp)
- Anemone
(Anemone spp)
- Angel’s Trumpet
(Brugmansia candida)NZ - Large trumpet flowers, this well known shrub is related ot the Apple Thorn, all parts of the plant ar poisonous.
- Anthrium
(Anthrium spp)
- Apple of Peru
(Nacandra physalodes)NZ - Related to the Gooseberry (which is edible). Most parts of the lant are mildy poisonous.
- Apple of Sodom
(Solanum linnaeanum) NZ - A very prickly shrub, it has a large mottled berry and seems to affect children.The flowers are green & white when immature and yellow at maturity.
- Atamasco Lily
(Zephyranthes spp)
- Arum Lily
(Zantedeschia aethiopica) NZ- All parts are poisonous! Has very attractive spikes of yellow-orange berries, so you need to be aware of it around children. The toxin seems to affect the mouth and throat as well as stomach pains, vomiting can occur.
- Asparagus
(Asparagus officinalis)NZ - Mildly poisonous.
- Autumn Crocus
(Colchicum autumnale)
- Azalea
(Rhododendron spp)
- Baneberry
(Actaea spp)
- Bitter Almond
(Prunus dulcis) NZ- This differs veriety (which has white flowers) from the commonly known bitter almond (Prunus dulcis) which is edible and has all pink flowers. The kernels are poisonous.
- Bittersweet
(Solanum dulcamara) NZ- The scarlet berries and purple flowers are poisonous.
- Black Locust
(Robinapseudo-acacia)
- Black Nightshade
(Solanum nigrum) NZ- The plant is only moderately toxic and the berries are scarcely or not poisonous at all.Please note**. This plant is commonly mistaken for the Deadly Nightshade (Atropa belladonna) which is as it says, deadly! Deadly Nightshade has a large bell shaped, brownish-purple flower as opposed to the white star shaped flowers of black Nightshade and the berries which are a glossy black can be quite a bit larger of those of Black Nightshade.
- Blueberry Lily
(See Turutu)
- Bloodroot
(Sanguinaria Canadensis)
- Boxthorn
(lyceum ferocissimum)NZ- Orange-red berries are poisonous. I remember on the farm the green spikes tend to make you skin ache where you might prick yourself.
- Broom
(Cytisus scoparius) NZ- The seeds are poisonous, do not eat!
- Burning bush
(euonymus spp)Also known as strawberry bush, Wahoo, Spindle Tree.
- Bushmans’s Poison
(Acokanthera oppositifolia) NZ- Although not native to NZ , common around warm regions but mainly grown in Auckland, it is one of the most poisonous plants in New Zealand, every part of the plant is toxic in particular the shoots and roots.
- Caladium
(caladium spp)
- Celery-leaved Buttercup
(Ranunculus sceleratus) NZ - This is one of the most toxic species of buttercup. The glossy parts of the leaves resemble celery and if put into the mouth it can cause blistering in the mouth and on the lips. This buttercup grows in damp areas such as along streams, around pounds, lakes, etc.
- Calla Lily
(Calla palustris)
- Carolina Jasmine
(Gelsemium sempervirens)
- Castor Bean
(Richinus communis)
- Castor Oil Plant
(Ricinus communis) NZ - Has attractive mottled seeds and has serious effects. The New Zealand variety has purple leaves.
- Cestrums
(Cestrum species) NZ - All parts are very poisonous. Several species available in varying colours. Likes the warmer climate.
- Cherry Laurel
(Prunus laurocerasus) NZ - The small black fruit have kernels which are the poisonous part. This is also in other countries which I would assume be the same.
- Chilean Jasmine
(Mandevilla suaveolens) NZ - A common Jasmine grown on trellises etc. All parts of the flowers poisonous.
- Chinaberry-(Bead Tree)
(Melia azedarach)
- Christmas Rose
(Helleborus niger)
- Clematis
(Clematis spp)
- Comfrey
(Symphytum officinale) NZ - And it’s hybrid. (S Iuplandicum) Although the leaves are used for medicinal purposes, if used for a prolonged period of time they can be harmful.
- Corsican Hellebore
(Hellehorus lividus subsp. Corsicus) NZ - All parts are poisonous. This is a common evergreen herb.
- Cotoneasters
(Cotoneaster species) NZ - Mildly poisonous red berries. Very plentiful in gardens and public areas. Children are usually attracted to them.
- Daphne
(Daphne Species) NZ - All varieties are poisonous and some have attractive red berries.
- Daffodil & Jonquils
(Narcissus Species) NZ - These are very common flowers, the bulbs contain poisonous properties so the both bulbs and flowers should not be consumed. Similar properties are present in the South Afican relatives such such as the Nerine, Crinum and Amaryllis. The Belladonna Lily(Amaryllis belladonna) is also a common garden plant.
- Datura
(See Thorn Apple) NZ
- Deadly Nightshade
(See Black Nightshade)
- Delphiniums
(Delphinium species) NZ- All parts are poisonous, is closely related to the Larkspur.
- Dumb Canes
(Dieffenbachia species) NZ - Very common house patio plant. In New Zealand it can be referred to by the name of “Mother-in-law’s tongue”. Large dark green leaves spotted or streaked with white. The sap is very poisonous.
- Elderberry or Elder
(Sambucus nigra) NZ - Has large clusters of black berries. Can cause stomach upsets if eaten raw.
- Elephant’s Ear
(Alocasia brisbaneniss) NZ - Related to the (Colocasia esculenta species) and a member of the arum family. A common ornamental plant in the warmer climates.
- English Holly
(See Holly)
- False Hellebore
- False Aloe
- Fatsia
(Fatsia japonica) NZ - Large evergreen shrub, has berries seem to be the poisonous part, similar to ivy.
- Foxglove
(Digitalis purpurea) NZ - A widespread weed and garden plant, has a very pretty flower stem, all parts are poisonous.
- Gloroisa Lily
(Glosorisa superba) NZ - This climbing plant is quite poisonous and the tuberous roots especially.
- Golden Seal
(Hydrastic Canadensis)
- Golden Chain Tree
(Labunum anagryroides)
- Hairy Nightshade
(Solanum physalifolium) NZ - Green and white mottled fruit is poisonous. Found in vegetable gardens. In the Bay of Plenty area in North Island, NZ and spreading.
- Hellebores
(Hellebores species) NZ - Grown close to homes all parts are very poisonous.
- Hemlock
(Conium Maculatum) NZ - One of the most plants around, all parts should be avoided, especially young plants and seeds. It has an unpleasant smell and purple markings on the stem easily distinguish it from parsley. Water hemlock (also called Spotted Cowbane) is fatal. Poison Hemlock which looks like Queen Anne’s Lace or Wild Carrot will cause paralysis. Fool’s Parsley also considered poisonous. Note** The Hemlock tree can be confused with the American Yew tree contains a chemical called taxine, a heart depressant.. The needles of a Hemlock tree has the needles growing downwards where the Yew has the needles growing upward.
- Holly
(Ilex aquifolium) NZ - Most parts of the tree are poisonous including the red berries.
- Henbane
(Black henbane)
- Heavenly Bamboo
(Nandina)
- Horse Chestnut
(Aesculus species) NZ - The seeds are mildly poisonous.
- Hyacinth
- Iceland Poppy
(Papaver nudicaule) NZ - A common garden plant and all part are poisonous, more so than other poppies.
- Inkweed
(Phytolacca octandra) NZ - Has attractive black berries which need to be monitored if children are around, all parts of the plant are poisonous.
- Italian Arum
(Arum italicum) NZ - All parts are very poisonous, including the orange berries.
- Ivy
(Hedera helix) NZ - Most parts are poisonous including the black berries.
- Jack-In-The-Pulpit
(Arisaemia triphyllum)
- Japanese Spindle Tree
(Euonymus japonicus) NZ - Has poisonous pink spindle berries with orange coated seeds.
- Jerusalem Cherry
(Solanum diflorum & S. pseudocapsicum) NZ - Their orange-red berries are very poisonous.
- Jessamine
(Cestrum species)
- Jetbead or Jetberry
(Rhodotypos tetrapetala)
- Jimson Weed
(Datura species –Brugmansia)
- Jonquil
(Narcissus species)
- Lantana
(Lantana camara) NZ - Different varieties have varying degrees of toxicity, so best to avoid them.
- Larkspurs
(Consolida species) NZ - Closely related to delphiniums and all parts are poisonous.
- Lilly of the Valley
(Pieris species & Convallaria majalis) NZ - All parts are poisonous.
- Lobelia or Cardinal Flower Indian Tobacco
(Lobelia species)
- Lupins
(Lupinus species) NZ - All species have poisonous seeds which if crushed of ground before swallowing will release toxins.
- Marsh Marigold
(Caltha palustris)
- May Apple or Mandrake
(Podophlyllum peltatum)
- Mistletoe
(Phoradendron species)
- Monkshood
(Aconitum species) NZ - All parts of this plant, especially the Aconitum napellus should be avoided. Children need to be aware that touching the very poisonous flowers toxicity will be absorbed through the skin.
- Morning Glory
(Ipomoea species) NZ - Seeds when crushed or ground contain very a hallucinogenic drug.
- Moth Plant or Cruel Plant
(Araujia sericifera) NZ - The white latex part in all parts of this plant is poisonous and the green like fruits.
- Mountain laurel
(Kalmia latifolia)
- Ngaio
(Myoporum species) NZ - Very poisonous plants
- Nightshades
(some Solanum species) NZ - Most of the nightshades are poisonous, some you can indentify with are poroporo, potato, bittersweet, Jerusalem Cherry and hairy, woolly and black nightshades.
- Oleander
(Nerium oleander) NZ All parts extremely poisonous.
- Opium Poppy
(Papaver somniferum) NZ - The compounds of this plant need to be avoided.
- Peach
(Prunus persica) NZ - The kernels are poisonous.
- Pepper Tree
(Schinus molle) NZ - Pink Berries are poisonous. But unlike the New Zealand Native Pepper bush or the Kawakawa has non-poisonous fruiting spikes.
- Periwinkle or Myrtle or Vinca
(Vinca species)
- Persian Lilac or White cedar
(Melia azedarach) NZ - This deciduous tree has bunches of yellow fruits on the ground when the leaves fall off the tree.
- Poinsettia
(Euphorbia pulcherrima) NZ - The species of all Poinsettia’s are poisonous.
- Philodendron
(Philodendron species)
- Pittosporum
(Pittosporum species)
- Poison Hemlock
(See under Hemlock)
- Poroporo
(Souanum laciniatum or S. aviculare) NZ - The green or yellow berries should not be eaten, although when cooked the toxins seem to be cooked away.
- Potato
(Solanum tuberosum) NZ - The green or whitish berries on some varieties are poisonous.
- Privet
(Ligustrum species) NZ - All species have poisonous black, blue-black or dark purpleish berries which could be consumed by children.
- Rhododendron
(Rhododendron species) NZ - This shrub,tree is very common in New Zealand and all species flowers are poisonous and the honey made from them is also toxic.
- Rhubarb
(Rheum rhabarbarum) NZ - The leaves are poisonous, but make a great garden spray for bugs.
- Schefflera
(Schefflera species)
- Spring Adonis
(Adonis vernalis)
- Spurges
(Euphorbia species) NZ - All species are poisonous. The milky sap can burn the delicate lining of the mouth.
- Star of Bethlehem
(Ornithogalum umbellatum)
- Sweet Pea
(Lathrus species)
- Stinking Iris
(Iris foetidissima) NZ - Many irises are poisonous and so are the orange seeds in this species.
- Swan Plants
(Gomphorcarpus fruticosus and G physocarpus) NZ - The two plants like members of the asclepias family the tissues are full of poisonous white milky latex and the fruit.
- Tobacco
(Nicotiana tabacum)
- Thornapple
(See Datura) NZ
- Titoki
(Alectryon excelsus) NZ - The round black seeds in their scarlet cup are very attractive. It is unsure if this plant is toxic, but is related to the soap tree family which are poisonous.
- Trumpet Flower – Chalice
(Solandra species)
- Tropical Periwinkle
(Catharanthus roseus also known as Vinca rosea) NZ - Has pink or white flowers and although a medical plant tropical periwinkle if very poisonous and is a member of the oleander family.
- Turutu or Blueberry Lily
(Dianella nigra) NZ - This native flax to New Zealand has attractive violet berries, the Australian species which is in NZ and their berries may also be poisonous.
- Tutsan
(Hypericum androsaemum) NZ - The black berries should not be eaten.
- Tutu
(Coriaria species) NZ - all species are poisonous. The berries and seeds inside are quite toxic.
- Wild Cherry
(Prunus serotina)
- Winter Rose
(Helleborus niger) NZ - All parts are poisonous.
- Wisteria
(Wisteria species, commonly W. sineniss) NZ - This beautiful climber has white or lavender flowers the pods and seeds are poisonous, but not as common as the flowers.
- Yellow Allamanda
(Allamanda cathartica)
- Yew
(Taxus baccate) NZ - All parts are poisonous.
- Yellow Oleander or tiger Apple, Be Still Tree or Lucky Nut
(Thevetia peruviana)
- Yesterday-Today-Tomorrow
(Brunfelsia species)
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Copyright** The above information with the letters “NZ” after the botanical name is copyright to Landcare Research New Zealand.
Disclaimer: All care has been taken in providing this information, however individuals ingesting flowers, plants, herbs mentioned do so at their own risk. No responsibility is accepted for ingestion of these plants, etc. If a reaction takes place medical advice should be taken.
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