FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
POISON PLANT QUESTIONS
- Help I have been poisoned, I feel sick, I have this rash... what do I do?
- I have a serious sensitivity to caffeine. What other foods contain caffeine, besides coffee, tea and chocolate?
- What other plants can cause skin rashes besides those listed on the site?
- I have heard that eating raw fiddleheads can make me sick. Is this true?
- Can sucking on the flowers of Honeysuckle hurt me?
Help I have been poisoned, I feel sick, I have this rash... what do I do?
Depending on the severity of the affliction, call 911 (in North America). If the symptoms are not acute, contact your local Poison Centre.
I have a serious sensitivity to caffeine. What other foods contain caffeine, besides coffee, tea and chocolate?
English Holly, Christmas Holly, Winterberry and other members of the Holly Family (Aquifoliaceae).
What other plants can cause skin rashes besides those listed on the site?
Poison-ivy, Stinging Nettles, Poison Sumac, Poison Oak, Rue are just a few common plants encountered in North America, that cause skin lesions. In addition, the Giant Hogweed (Heracleum mategazzianum) has been reported from some areas in Canada and the United States. The very tall, spectacular garden curiosity was first reported from British Columbia, where it was planted from Asian nursery stock. Not only does it leave painful sores, but its sap can also inflict temporary blindness on unsuspecting victims.
I have heard that eating raw fiddleheads can make me sick. Is this true?
Yes. Since 2006, Health Canada has advised consumers to cook fiddleheads properly before eating. After washing the raw vegetables in several changes of cold water, they should be thoroughly cooked in boiling water (15 minutes) or steamed for 10-12 minutes, prior to eating or further preparation. Cooking water should be discarded and not used in recipes.
Can sucking on the flowers of Honeysuckle hurt me?
No, to our knowledge all North American honeysuckles (Lonicera species) have non-toxic flowers.
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