Poisonous Plants

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Oleander | Opium Poppy | Peach | Pepper Tree | Persian Lilac | Pointsettia | Poroporo | Potato | Privet

Oleander (Nerium oleander). All parts are extremely poisonous. Fortunately, the bitter taste deters children from swallowing it.

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Opium poppy (Papaver somniferum). Although not as poisonous as Iceland poppy, the opium compounds in this plant make it one to be avoided, particularly by children.

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Peach (Prunus persica). The kernels are poisonous but the very hard corrugated stone around them is not easily broken, so they are unlikely to be eaten by children.

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Pepper tree (Schinus molle). The strings of little pink berries hanging on this attractive ornamental tree seem to be moderately poisonous, particularly the seed. Note: the native pepper bush or kawakawa (Macropiper excelsum) has non-poisonous, but peppery-tasting, orange, fleshy fruiting spikes.

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Persian lilac or white cedar (Melia azedarach). Persian lilac is deciduous and when the leaves fall the bunches of poisonous yellow fruits are very conspicuous. A common street tree in the Auckland and Bay of Plenty areas.

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Poinsettia (Euphorbia pulcherrima). This plant is a spurge, all species of which are poisonous. The milky sap can burn the delicate lining of the mouth.

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Poroporo (Solanum laciniatum or S. aviculare). The poisonous green or yellow berries should not be eaten, although when orange and fully ripe they are scarcely toxic when fresh, and not at all when cooked. The two species of poroporo are very similar and are only easily distinguished by the flowers. For practical purposes the two species can be regarded as one.

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Potato (Solanum tuberosum). The parts most likely to poison children are the green or whitish berries produced on some varieties. Potato tubers which are green from light exposure are also poisonous.

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Privets (Ligustrum species). All species have poisonous black, blue-black or dark purplish berries, which might be eaten by children. Tree privet (L. lucidum), privet (L. ovalifolium), and most abundantly, Chinese privet (L. sinense), are the usual species from the Waikato and Bay of Plenty northwards.

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	Oleander (Nerium oleander). All parts are extremely poisonous. Fortunately, the bitter taste deters children from swallowing it. Back to Top
	Opium poppy (Papaver somniferum). Although not as poisonous as Iceland poppy, the opium compounds in this plant make it one to be avoided, particularly by children. Back to Top
	Peach (Prunus persica). The kernels are poisonous but the very hard corrugated stone around them is not easily broken, so they are unlikely to be eaten by children. Back to Top
	Pepper tree (Schinus molle). The strings of little pink berries hanging on this attractive ornamental tree seem to be moderately poisonous, particularly the seed. Note: the native pepper bush or kawakawa (Macropiper excelsum) has non-poisonous, but peppery-tasting, orange, fleshy fruiting spikes. Back to Top
	Persian lilac or white cedar (Melia azedarach). Persian lilac is deciduous and when the leaves fall the bunches of poisonous yellow fruits are very conspicuous. A common street tree in the Auckland and Bay of Plenty areas. Back to Top
	Poinsettia (Euphorbia pulcherrima). This plant is a spurge, all species of which are poisonous. The milky sap can burn the delicate lining of the mouth. Back to Top
	Poroporo (Solanum laciniatum or S. aviculare). The poisonous green or yellow berries should not be eaten, although when orange and fully ripe they are scarcely toxic when fresh, and not at all when cooked. The two species of poroporo are very similar and are only easily distinguished by the flowers. For practical purposes the two species can be regarded as one. Back to Top
	Potato (Solanum tuberosum). The parts most likely to poison children are the green or whitish berries produced on some varieties. Potato tubers which are green from light exposure are also poisonous. Back to Top
	Privets (Ligustrum species). All species have poisonous black, blue-black or dark purplish berries, which might be eaten by children. Tree privet (L. lucidum), privet (L. ovalifolium), and most abundantly, Chinese privet (L. sinense), are the usual species from the Waikato and Bay of Plenty northwards. Back to Top