TOXIC PLANT ORGANISMS FOUND IN THE PHILIPPINES

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Scientific Name
Eucalyptus spp.

Common Names
Eucalyptus, silver dollar tree, gum, lemon scented gum

Family
Myrtaceae

Plant Description
Evergreen trees with alternate or opposite, simple, smooth-margined leaves; flowers in small clusters, top- or bell-shaped, 4-petaled with many stamens; fruit a many-seeded capsule.

Origin
Australia.

Poisonous Part
Leaves, bark.

Symptoms
Nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, coma. Skin redness, irritation, and burning from handling leaves and bark. Eucalyptus oil is extremely toxic if eaten.

Toxic Principle
Eucalyptus oil and cyanogenic glycoside.

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.