TOXIC PLANT ORGANISMS FOUND IN THE PHILIPPINES

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Scientific Name
Coleus X hybridus
(Solenostemon scutellarioides)

Common Names
Coleus, painted nettle

Family
Lamiaceae

Plant Description
Slightly succulent, perennial herbs with opposite, simple leaves on 4-angled stems; the leaves often blotched with various colors and patterns; flowers small, blue-violet, in slender, terminal clusters, irregularly shaped.

Origin Asia

Poisonous Part
Leaves.

Symptoms
Allergic dermatitis with red rash after repeated and frequent contact.

Toxic Principle
Diterpene coleonol, coleon O.

Severity
Toxic only if large quantities eaten.  Causes severe pain in the mouth if eaten.  Skin irritation minor, or lasting only for a few minutes.