TOXIC PLANT ORGANISMS FOUND IN THE PHILIPPINES

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Scientific Name
Cycas revoluta

Common Names
Cycad, sago palm

Family
Cycadaceae

Plant Description
Evergreen, palm-like; leaves 1-pinnately divided, glossy green, the leaflets narrow, with a sunken midrib and the margins rolled downward; pollen cone large and erect; the seeds on loosely arranged leaves around the stem, each seed large, plum-like, pale yellow-tan.

Origin
Japan.

Poisonous Part Fleshy seeds, leaves, unprocessed flour from stem pith.

Symptoms
Vomiting, diarrhea, headache, dizziness, seizures.

Toxic Principle
Glycosides and an amino acid BMAA.

Structure  

Severity
Toxic only if eaten in large quantities