TOXIC PLANT ORGANISMS FOUND IN THE PHILIPPINES

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Scientific Name
Caryota mitis

Common Name
Fishtail palm

Family
Arecaceae

Plant Description
Solitary or clustered, unbranched stems; leaves large, long-stalked, arching, bi-pinnately divided into leaflets which are widest above the middle and irregularly toothed at apex; fruit a fleshy berry.

Origin
Asia

Poisonous Part
Fruit

Symptoms
Burning and swelling of lips, mouth, tongue, and throat; difficulty of speaking. Redness and swelling of skin and eyes after handling berries

Toxic Principle
Calcium oxalate crystals.

Structure

Severity
Toxic only if large quantities eaten.  Causes severe pain in the mouth if eaten.