Poisonous Plants | Arizona Poison and Drug Information Center

Poisonous Plants

The following plants are dangerous, either to touch or eat. There are many other plants that can make you sick or cause a bad reaction. Because a plant is not listed here does not mean it is safe for humans or pets. The plants listed here are some of those about which the poison center often receives calls.

Candelabras Cactus A many-branched succulent spiny shrub or tree with milky sap. Although it is often times mistakenly referred to as a cactus, it is actually in the genus Eurphorbia. Branches are 3-4 inches, angled...
Carolina Jessamine Cultivated evergreen vine, shrubby and twining, and grows to about 20 feet. Pairs of shiny light green 1-4 inch long leaves on long, streamer-like branches. Fragrant, tubular yellow flowers 1-1.5...
Castor Bean A cultivated shrub that may freeze back in cold areas. Grows 6-15 feet tall. Large-lobed leaves are 1-3 feet across on young plants, smaller on older plants. The mottled black, brown and white...
Century Plant Cultivated succulent. Large clumps of fleshy strap-shaped leaves to 6 feet long with hooked spines along the edges and a wicked spine at the tip, blue green in color. After 10 years or more, the...
Chinaberry Tree Cultivated spreading tree 30-50 feet high. One to 2 inches long, narrow or oval, toothed leaflets. Loose clusters of purple flowers in spring or early summer, followed by yellow, wrinkled, hard,...
Dumbcane Evergreen indoor plant (may grow outside in protected areas in warmer climates), that may reach to 6 feet in height. The leaves are large, oblong, and entirely green or mottled white and green....
Eucalyptus Cultivated evergreen tree or shrub. About 150 different kinds grown in Arizona. Height may vary from 10-200 feet. Many different shapes of leaves but almost all leaves have a distinguishing...
Foxglove Garden flower. Erect plants 2-8 feet high with tubular flowers shaped like fingers of a glove in purple, yellow, white, pastels. Hairy, gray green leaves grow in clumps at base of plant.
Jimson Weed Native plant. Weedy shrub to 4 feet with stout stems and foul-smelling leaves. Leaves are large and oval with wavy edges. They are up to 6 inches long. The trumpet shaped flowers are large (6...
Lantana Cultivated shrub that grows up to 6 feet tall. May freeze back in colder areas. Leaves are oval shaped with toothed edges. Individual flowers are small and tube-shaped. They are clustered together...
Mexican Bird of Paradise Cultivated shrub or small tree. Evergreen but may freeze back in the colder climates. Grows to 10 feet in height. Leaves are oblong and small. The flowers are yellow with long, colorful red...
Mistletoe Parasites that grow on trees and shrubs. Pairs of leaves grow on opposite sides of the stem and vary from scales to oblong and leathery leaves. Fruits are small white to pinkish berries with a...
Oleander Cultivated shrub to small tree. It grows 8-12 feet in height with narrow lance-shaped leaves 4-12 inches long. They are dark green, leathery and glossy. Two-3 inch flowers are white, pink, red or...
Philodendron Cultivated houseplant, but may grow outdoors in warmer climates. Many varieties, with 2 main classes; vining or the large (6 - 8 ft. high) erect type with a self-supporting trunk. Plants have a...
Pothos Climbing vine grown as a houseplant. Heart shaped leaves 2-4 inches long, bright green splashed or marbled with yellow.
Silver Leaf Night Shade A weedy shrub that can be found growing wild in Arizona up to an elevation of 5,000 feet. This plant can grow up to 3 feet in height. The leaves are up to 4 inches long, silvery, oblong with wavy...
Texas Mountain Laurel Cultivated evergreen shrub or small tree. Grows to 25 feet high, with smooth bark, its dark green oval leaflets are 1-2 inches long. Blooms February-April; inch-wide violet blue flowers are...
Tree Tobacco Shrub or small tree to 20 feet that grows wild in Arizona below 3,000 feet elevation. The leaves are bluish green, long stalked, oval and smooth up to 7 inches long. The pale yellow, tubular...
Virginia Creeper A woody climbing vine found growing wild in Arizona in moist canyons and roadsides at 3,000 to 7,000 feet elevation. Leaves are dark green and shiny with toothed edges. They are up to 4 inches...
Yellow Oleander Cultivated shrub or small tree typically 6-8 feet in height. Leaves are 3-6 inches long, very narrow, with edges rolled under. Leaves are deep green and glossy. Flowers are tubular, fragrant, 2-3...