Poisonous Garden Plants.

Kaipara and Waitemata Echo, 16 October 1914, Page 2

Poisonous Garden Plants.

Flowers of the jonquil, white hyacinth, and snowdrop all possess a poisonous nature, the narcissus also being particularly deadly, so much, indeed, that %o chew a small scrap of one of the bulbs may result fatally, while the juice of the leaves is an emetic. The berries of the yew have killed many persons, and it is pretty well known nowadays that it is not safe to eat many peach pips or cherry kernels at once. The lobelias are all dangerous. Lady's slipper poisons in the same manner as does poison ivy. The bulbs seem to be the most harmful.. Lilies of the valley are also as much so, says the ' Family Doctor.' There is enough opium in red poppies to do mischief ; and the autumn crocus, if the blossoms are chewed, causes vomiting and purging. The leaves and flowers of the oleander are deadly, and the bark of the catalpa tree is very mischievous ; the water dropwort, when not in flower, resembles celery and is poisonous.