Local section · San Antonio, TX
Dangerous plants in the San Antonio area
| Plant | Toxic part | Hazard |
|---|---|---|
| Water hemlock (Cicuta maculata) | The whole plant, especially the root | Violent convulsions; can kill in small amounts. White flowers in an "umbrella" shape, grows near water. |
| Poison hemlock (Conium maculatum) | The whole plant | Deadly. Stem with purple spots, leaves like parsley or carrot. It has spread across Texas along roadsides. |
| Oleander (Nerium oleander) | The whole plant, including the smoke when burned | Affects the heart; can be fatal. Very common in yards and medians. |
| Texas mountain laurel (Sophora secundiflora) | Bright red seeds | Toxic; attractive to children. |
| Black nightshade (Solanum nigrum) | Fruit (especially green) and plant | Can be fatal; children mistake it for little tomatoes. |
| Lantana (Lantana urticoides) | Green berries | Damage to the lungs, kidneys, and nervous system with repeated consumption. |
| Jimsonweed (Datura) | The whole plant, seeds | Delirium, fever, cardiac arrest; white trumpet-shaped flowers. |
| Castor bean (Ricinus communis) | Seeds | Highly toxic. |
| Pokeweed (Phytolacca americana) | Root, seeds, berries, mature plant | Severe vomiting; don't eat any part without expert preparation. |
| Chinaberry (Melia azedarach) | Fruit | Toxic to people and pets. |
| Sago palm (Cycas revoluta) | All of it, especially the seeds | Highly toxic to dogs; can be fatal. |
| Wild mushrooms | — | Some (such as certain Amanita) destroy the liver; symptoms appear when it is already too late. Never. |
Pets: don't let them eat plants, mushrooms, or berries in the yard or the countryside. If they swallow something suspicious, call your veterinarian or the ASPCA Animal Poison Control.
