Common toxic plant ingestions - Symptoms, Causes, Images, and Treatment Options

Diseases

Highlights & Basics

Key Highlights

Common toxic plant ingestion may be intentional (consumption/smoking of concentrated extracts) or accidental.
Severe or life-threatening clinical consequences are rare.
The most lethal plants are the most uncommon and rarely reported exposures: water hemlock, jimson weed seeds, castor bean, rosary pea, monkshood, autumn crocus, and oleander.
There may be physiologic effects in the gastrointestinal, cardiac, neurologic, pulmonary, dermatologic, and hematologic systems.
Unusual plant ingestions may cause intractable seizures, acidosis, liver necrosis, heart block, hypotension, tachycardia, or hypertension.

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History & Exam
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Definition

Epidemiology

Etiology

Pathophysiology

Citations

Key Articles

Froberg B, Ibrahim D, Furbee RB. Plant poisoning. Emerg Med Clin North Am. 2007 May;25(2):375-433.[Abstract]
Gummin DD, Mowry JB, Beuhler MC, et al. 2022 Annual report of the National Poison Data System(®) (NPDS) from America's Poison Centers(®): 40th annual report. Clin Toxicol (Phila). 2023 Oct;61(10):717-939.[Abstract][Full Text]
Halpern JH. Hallucinogens and dissociative agents naturally growing in the United States. Pharmacol Ther. 2004 May;102(2):131-8.[Abstract]
Gowdy JM. Stramonium intoxication: review of symptomatology in 212 cases. JAMA. 1972 Aug 7;221(6):585-7.[Abstract]
Burkhard PR, Burkhardt K, Haenggeli CA, et al. Plant-induced seizures: reappearance of an old problem. J Neurol. 1999 Aug;246(8):667-70.[Abstract]

Other Online Resources

BMJ talk medicine podcast: a clinical guide to ricin poisoning, with Prof Susan Smolinske
BMJ talk medicine podcast: abrin poisoning, with Prof Scott Phillips
AAPCC: annual data reports
US FDA: PLANTOX poisonous plant identification database
webPOISONCONTROL: poison and prevention information

Referenced Articles

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