Finger Lakes Regional Poison & Drug Information Center

Poison Prevention

100 Poisonous Plants in Northeast United States and Canada

Plants can be both decorative and delicious, but without proper knowledge they can also be dangerous. This is a partial list of plants that commonly cause trouble or are very toxic. Because you do not find a plant on this list, do not assume it is safe.

Common Name
(Genus)

Acorn (Oak tree)
(Quercus)
Amaryllis (St. Joseph Lily)
(Hippeastrum)
American Helebore
(Veratrum)
Anemone
(Anemone)
Angel’s Trumpet
(Datura)
Apple, Aprit, pits
(Pyrus, Prunus)
Arum
(Arum)
Autumn Crocus
(Colchicum)
Azalea
(Rhododendron)
Baneberry
(Actea)
Belladonna
(Atropa)
Bittersweet (Nightshade)
(Celastrus)
Bleeding Heart
(Dicentra)
Bloodroot
(Sanguinaria)
Bluebonnet
(Lupine)
Blue Cohosh
(Caulophyllum)
Boneset (White Snakeroot)
(Eupatorium)
Box, Boxwood
(Buxus)
Bulbs (various)
Burning Bush
(Eunonymous)
Buttercup
(Ranunculus)
Calla Lilly
(Calla, Zantedeschia)
Cashew, shell
(Anacardium)
Castor Bean
(Ricinus)
Celandine, Golden
(Chelidonium)
Cherry, Choke
(Prunus)
Cherry, Jerusalem
(Solanum)
Cherry Laurel
(Lauroserasus)
Chinaberry
(Melia)
Christmas Rose
(Heleborus)
Cowslip, Marsh Marigold
(Caltha)
Crowpoison
(Amianthium, Zygodenus)
Daffodil, Jonquil
(Narcissus)
Daphne
(Daphne)
Dumb Cane
(Deiffenbacchia)
Elephant Ear
(alocasia, Colocasia, Caladium)
Fool’s Parsley
(Aethusa)
Foxglove
(Digitalis)
Fringe Tree
(Chionanthus)
Gentians
(Gentiana)
Golden Chain Tree
(Laburnum)
Goldenseal
(Hydrastis)
Healing Cactus
(Aloe)
Hemlock, Poison
(Conium)
Hemlock, Water
(Cicuta)
Henbane
(Hyoscyamus)
Holly
(Ilex)
Horsechestnut (Buckeye Tree)
(Aesculus)
Hyacinth
(Hyacinthus)
Iris
(Iris)
Ivy, English, German, others
(Hedera, Senecio, Kalmia, Scindapsis)
Ivy, Poison
(Rhus)
Jasmine, Jessamine
(Gelsemium, Jasminum)
Jequirity Bean, Rosary Pea
(Abrus; in jewelry)
Jerusalem Cherry
(Solanum)
Jimson Weed, Thorn Apple
(Datura)
Larkspur
(Delphinium)
Laurel, Mountain, Sheep, Swamp, Cherry
(Kalmia, Lauroserasus)
Lillies
(Gloriosa, Hyacinthus, Zephyranthes, Atamasco)
Lilly of the Valley
(Convallaria)
Lobelia
(Lobelia)
Locust Tree
(Robinia)
Marijuana
(Cannabis)
Matrimony Vine
(Lycium)
Mayapple, Mandrake
(Podophyllum)
Mescal
(Lophophora, Sophora)
Milkweed
(Asclepias)
Misletoe
(Phoradendron, Viscum)
Monkshood
(Aconitum)
Moonseed, False Wild Grape
(Menispermum)
Mushrooms
(Amanita & others)
Narcissus
(Narcissus)
Nettle, Stinging
(Urtica)
Nicotine
(Nicotiana)
Nightshade
(Solanum)
Oleander
(Nerium)
Peach, Plum, Prune, pits
(Amygdalus, Prunus)
Pea, Sweet, Meadow
(Lathyrus)
Philodendron
(Philodendron, Monstera, Scindapsus)
Pieris
(pieris)
Poison Ivy, Oak, Sumac
(Rhus)
Pokeweed, Skoke, ink berry
(Phytolacca)
Poppy
(Papaver)
Potato sprouts
(Solanum)
Privet
(Ligustrum)
Rhododendron
(Rhododendron)
Rhubarb leaves
(Rheum)
Skunk Cabbage
(Symplocarpus)
Snowdrop
(Galanthus)
Snow on the Mountain
(Euphorbia)
Squill
(Urginea)
Squirrel Corn
(Dicentra)
Star of Bethlehem
(Orinithogalum)
Virginia Creeper
(Parthenocissus)
Yew
(Taxus)