Common poisonous plants | Western Cape Government

Common poisonous plants

Poisonous plants

Poisonous plants can be found in almost every garden in South Africa. Usually, these are only life-threatening when eaten. It’s important that you seek immediate medical assistance if you suspect that a poisonous plant has been eaten.  

Common plants which are poisonous include: ​

Poisonous plant Symptoms

Dumb cane

Dumb cane poisonous plant

 

 

Pain 

Swollen mouth        

Inability to talk

 

 

 

 

Elephant's ear

Elephant's ear poisonous plant

Tingly or burning feeling on mouth or lips

Severe burning or redness of the eyes

Diarrhoea

Nausea

Vomiting

Arum lily

Arum lily poisonous plant

 

 

Local irritation

Burning sensation in your mouth

Vomiting

Diarrhoea

 

 

Delicious monster

Delicious monster poisonous plant

 

 

Inflamed mouth, tongue and lips

High risk of fatality

 

 

 

 

 

These plants contain calcium oxalate crystals and if you chew some parts of them you may feel pain in the mouth. When your children are playing outside, keep a close eye on them so that they don’t put any unknown leaves, berries or stems into their mouths.  

The content on this page was last updated on 26 January 2023