 | Biodiversity in the Western Ghats: An Information Kit (IIRR, 1994, 224 p.) |
 |  | 6. Plants, fungi and bacteria |
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6.4 Poisonous plants
Eating some plants can cause illness-and can even kill you. So beware of plants you do not know!
Some plants are poisonous if consumed in large amounts, but can be used as medicines in smaller amounts. About 700 plant species in the world are known to cause illness or discomfort to people and animals.
Since the dawn of civilization, people have cultivated and collected plants to cure ailments. Ancient texts such as the Atharva Veda mention the use of medicinal plants.
Randia dumetorium
Why are plants poisonous?
Poisonous plants contain chemicals that react in harmful ways with our bodies. These chemicals include glucosides, acids and alkaloids. &me plants have evolved poisons as a defence mechanism-to prevent them from being eaten by insects and other animals.
Mucuna gigantia
Do not eradicate poisonous plants!
The aesthetic value and usefulness of poisonous plants far overshadow their poisonous effects.
People, especially children, need to know which plants are poisonous. They should not eat or even touch certain household ornamentals, garden plants or wild species.
If someone is poisoned
In general, it is best to make the person vomit. Mix some teaspoons of salt in a glass of water. Make the victim drink the water until he or she vomits.
For skin irritations, wash the skin with clean water and mild soap. Gently rubbing the juice from aloe over the skin can help ease the irritation.
If these remedies do not work, take the person to a clinic. Take with you part of the plant that caused the problem to help the doctor decide on the best treatment.
How to identify poisonous plants
There is no hard and fast rule to identify poisonous plants. In general, beware of
· plants with white latex or
coloured sap.
· mushrooms and toadstools:
especially brightly coloured ones
For more information:
Baser, B. D., Indian medicinal plants
Cooke, T., Flora of Bombay
Dastur, Medicinal plants of India and Pakistan
Jain, S. K., Medicinal plants
Vartak, V. D. 1966. Enumeration of plants from Gomantak, India
Wealth of India, C.S.I.R Publication
Poisonous plants
List of poisonous plants found in Goa
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Plants |
Poisonous parts |
Symptoms |
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Abrus precatorius (Gunj) |
Seed |
Powerful oedema, strong swelling |
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Allamanda cathartica and other members of Apocynaceae(Kaner), Korno |
Bark, leaves, |
Cathartic (voids bowels) |
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Alstonia scholaris, Parthenium (Satwan) Eupatorium (Congress Grass) and some grasses |
Pollen grains |
Asthma |
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Anthurium, Dieffenbachia, Philodendron and other members of Araceae |
Leaves and stem |
Irritation, skin dermatitis |
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Argemene maxicana(Firengi dutro) |
Seeds |
Purging, vomiting |
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Calotropis gigantea (Ruhi) |
Latex in all parts |
Irritation |
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Caryota urens (Billa Mard) |
Pulp of the fruit |
Irritation |
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Catharanthus roseus (Sadaphooli) |
Foliage |
Diarrhea |
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Croton tiglium |
Seeds |
Purgative |
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Datura innoxia (Dutro) |
Leaves and seeds |
Sedative |
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Euphorbia antiquorum and other species of Euphorbia (Nival) |
Latex in all parts |
Irritation |
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Exoecaria agallocha (Kharo-uro) |
Latex or acrid juice |
Blisters, purgative, causes abortion |
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Sapium insigne (Uro) |
Leaves and fruits |
Dermatitis |
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Hydnocarpus laurifolias (Khasti) |
Seeds |
Purging and vomiting |
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Jatropa multifida (Chini-erandi) |
Foliage and fruit |
Vomiting, diarrhea |
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Lantana camera (Ghaneri) |
Berries |
Bloody diarrhea, |
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Lasiosyshon eriocephalus(Dant paddi) |
Stem, leaves, bark |
Drops out teeth |
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Rauwolfia serpentine (Aadki) |
Roots |
Nasal congestion, lethargy, Parkinsonism, mental depression |
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Ricinus communis (Erand) |
Seeds |
Vomiting, colic convulsion |
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Strychnos.nux-vomica (Caro) |
Seeds |
Convulsions, paralysis and death |
Prepared by KasturiDesai
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