SAS Urban Survival Handbook (47 page)

6 ▶ Headache tree
(Californian laurel/Californian bay/Pepperwood)
Umbellularia california
Native to California and Oregon, and an ornamental. Evergreen aromatic tree with large, glossy, aromatic leaves, yellowish-green flowers, and dark-purple fruits. Height: 15-25 m (49-82 ft).
The leaves are poisonous.

REMEMBER

Some plants are extremely poisonous to everyone. With many plants, however, the toxic effects depend greatly on the sensitivity of the individual. Some people may be highly allergic to some species—even apples, tomatoes or strawberries may provoke a violent reaction. Unfortunately, in these cases, the casualty only discovers the allergy when the (possibly dangerous) symptoms develop.

Many of the potentially-deadly plants, such as foxglove, have very unpleasant tastes or odours—which is a deterrent to most people. Animals are nearly always aware of the warnings given by taste or smell, but children may be attracted by colourful or unusual seeds, leaves or berries. Very small children are highly inquisitive and likely to ignore a nasty taste or smell.

PEA FAMILY
Leguminosae

Causing a range of effects from loss of coordination and muscular movements, to double vision and deep sleep. Some have irritant poisons and may affect the nervous system, sometimes leading to coma. May cause DEATH.

1 ▶ Rosary pea
(Indian licorice/Weather plant)
Abrus precatorius
Native to the tropics and a very common ornamental in warm regions. Woody climber with rose to purple flowers and oblong fruits enclosing black-and-scarlet glossy seeds. Height: 1.5-3 m (5-10 ft).
Poisonous seeds. May be FATAL.

2 ▶ Laburnum
(Golden chain/Golden rain tree)
Laburnum anogyroides
Native to south and central Europe and a common ornamental. Deciduous tree with pendulous bunches of yellow pea-like flowers. Height: 6-9 m (20-30 ft).
All parts are poisonous, including the roots, bark and wood. May be FATAL Many children die each year.
Beware, too, of other laburnums.

3▶ Sweet pea
Lathyrus odoratus
Native to Italy and an extremely common ornamental. Annual climbers, with pairs of mid-green leaves and scented flowers, similar to those of the pea plant, in a wide colour range. Height: 1.5-3.6 m (5-12 ft).
All parts are poisonous, especially the seeds.

4▶ Lupin
(Lupine)
Lupinus polyphyllus
Native to the western US and a common ornamental. Herbaceous perennial with tall spires of blue or red flowers. Wide colour range and many varieties. Height: 120-180 cm (47-71 in).
All parts are poisonous, especially
seeds. Causes respiratory difficulties. Other lupins are also poisonous.

5▶ Kidney bean
(Haricot bean/Wax bean)
Phaseolus vulgaris
Native of tropical America and a very common food crop, yielding beans in pods. Height: 120-180 cm (47-71 in).
Poisonous seeds when uncooked. Kidney beans must ALWAYS be boiled for at least 15 minutes to destroy toxins. May be FATAL, otherwise, especially to children or the elderly.

6▶ Locoweed
(Crazyweed)
Oxytropis campestris
Native to northern Asia and the US. Only occasionally grown as an ornamental. Herbaceous perennial with small, narrow leaves and flowers in a wide colour range, white to bright purple. Height: 45-75 cm (18-30 in).
All parts are poisonous.

7▶ Milk vetch
Astragalus canadensis
Native to the US. Herbaceous perennial with leaves formed of many leaflets. It has greenish-cream flowers, then fruits. Height: 90-150 cm (35-59 in).
All parts are poisonous.

8▶ False acacia
(Black locust/Yellow locust)
Robinia pseudoacacia
Native to the eastern and central US, and an ornamental. Deciduous tree with leaves formed of light-green leaflets. Pods contain up to ten seeds. Height: 7.5-15 m (25-49 ft).
All parts are poisonous.

9▶ Japanese wisteria
(Wisteria)
Wisteria floribunda
Native to Japan and a common ornamental. Deciduous climber with light- to mid-green leaves formed of many leaflets. It has violet-blue or white flower clusters. Height: 7.5-15 m (25-49 ft).
All parts are poisonous.
Other wisterias also poisonous.

10▶ Gorse
(Furze/Whin)
Ulex europaeus
Native to Western Europe, naturalized in many areas and a very common ornamental. Evergreen spiny shrub with honey-scented yellow flowers. Height: 120-180 cm (47-67 in).
Poisonous seeds.

1▶ Common broom
(Scotch broom)
Cytisus scoparius
Native to Western Europe and an extremely common ornamental. Deciduous shrub with small mid-green leaves and richyellow flowers. Height: 1.8-2.4 m (6-8 ft).
Poisonous seeds and leaves.
Spanish broom (
Spartium juncium
) is also poisonous.

2▶ Horse-eye bean
(Cowhage/Cowitch)
Mucuna pruriens (Stizolobium pruriens)
Native to the tropics. Climber, with pods covered with irritant hairs. The large mottled seeds resemble a horse’s eye. Height: 6-9 m (20-30 ft).
Poisonous pods and seeds.

LILY FAMILY
Liliaceae

Causing excitement of cerebral functions, loss of coordination and muscular movements and affecting the heart. Some cause numbness, tingling in the mouth, abdominal pain, vertigo and paralysis. May cause DEATH.

3▶ African lily
Agapanthus campanulatus
Native to Natal and a very common ornamental. Deciduous perennial with long, arching, sword-like leaves and umbrella-like heads of pale-blue flowers. Height: 60-75 cm (24-30 in).
Poisonous fruits.

4▶ Asparagus
Asparagus officinalis
Native to the seacoasts of Europe, North Africa and Asia. Common herbaceous perennial with edible young shoots. Tall stems bearing fern-like foliage and red berries. Height: 90-120 cm (35-47 in).
Poisonous berries.

5▶ Asparagus fern
(Emerald fern)
Asparagus densiflorus
‘Sprengeri’
(Asparagus sprengeri)
Native to Natal and a very common houseplant. It has feather-like light-green foliage borne on wiry stems. Star-like green-white flowers and clusters of red berries. Height: 60-90 cm (24-35 in).
The berries are poisonous.

6▶ Autumn crocus
(Fall crocus/Meadow saffron)
Colchicum autumnale
Native to Europe and an extremely common ornamental. Cormous, with lance-like green leaves and lilac-coloured flowers. Height: 20-25 cm (8-10 in).
Poisonous corms, seeds and leaves. May be

FATAL.

7▶ Kaffir lily
Clivia miniata
Native to Natal and a very common ornamental and house-plant. Fleshy-rooted perennial with strap-like leaves, orange-to-red flowers and bright-red berries. Height: 38-45 cm (15-18 in).
Poisonous berries.

8▶ Lily-of-the-valley
Convallaria majalis
Native to Europe, naturalized in the US, and an extremely common ornamental. Herbaceous perennial with pairs of elliptic mid-green leaves and white, waxy, bell-shaped, sweetly-scented flowers. It also bears red berries. Height: 15-23 cm (6-9 in).
All parts poisonous, especially the berries. May be FATAL.

9▶ Snowdrop
Galanthus nivalis
Native to Europe and a very common ornamental. Bulbous, with strap-like leaves and white flowers with green markings. Also develops berries. Height: 13-20 cm (5-8 in).
Poisonous berries.

10▶ Gloriosa lily
(Glory lily/Climbing lily)
Gloriosa superba
Native to tropical Africa and Asia, an ornamental and a houseplant. Tuberous-rooted perennial climber with yellow, red and orange flowers. Bright-red seeds. Height: 120-180 cm (47-71 in).
Poisonous seeds and tubers. May be FATAL.