Beware the Ornamentals - what the Garden Centers don't tell you!

One of the good things arising from quarantines and lockdowns is a renewal of interest in gardening.  People found they had more time at home and as supplies became more scarce and incomes dried up, thoughts shifted to "survival mode" with a renewed interest in growing fruits and vegetables.  They also found they had more time to refresh and beautify their landscapes.  

Three of the most beautiful landscaping plants are also three of the most deadly if ingested by people or pets.  Disclaimer: not all people/pets are affected in the same way - some may become very ill, others not at all!  

 

The Oleander, or Nerium oleander, is considered by many to be the most poisonous plant in the world.  All parts of the beautiful oleander contain poison - several types of poison.  Two of the most potent are oleandrin and nerine, known for their powerful effect on the heart.  It is said that an oleander's poison is so strong, in fact, that it can poison a person who simply eats the honey made by bees that have digested oleander nectar.   

Duranta is in the same plant family, Verbenaceae, as Lantana.  While it is a popular nursery plant, it is highly poisonous to pets and children, with many documented deaths.  Duranta erecta's toxicity has been known since the late nineteenth century when ingestion of its fruit killed a two year old boy in Queensland, Australia.  It is a beautiful shrub/small tree, with its pretty light blue or lavender flowers , and the small yellow or orange berry which often both appear at the same time.  In many places it is now considered invasive, with birds freely redistributing the ingested berries.  Birds and butterflies love it!!!  

The Castor Bean, or Ricinus communis, is widely cultivated for its castor oil and is also used as an ornamental plant.  Neither of these uses would clue you into the fact that this plant has deadly contents - RICIN.  Ricin is present in low levels throughout the plant, but it is large concentrated in the seed coating.  Seed poisonings are rare, and usually involve children and pets, but they can be deadly.  As few as three seeds, which are green with brown markings, could kill a child who swallows them.