TOXIC PLANT ORGANISMS FOUND IN THE PHILIPPINES

back to list of plants     

Scientific Name
Melia azedarach

Common Names
Chinaberry, China tree, Chinaball tree

Family
Meliaceae

  Plant Description
Deciduous tree; leaves alternate, 2-pinnately divided with toothed, pointed leaflets; flowers small but numerous in large terminal clusters, lilac-colored; fruit a yellowish, wrinkled drupe persisting through the winter.

Origin Asia.

Poisonous Part
Fruits and tea from leaves.

Symptoms
Stomach irritation, vomiting, bloody diarrhea, paralysis, irregular breathing, and respiratory distress.

Toxic Principle
Tetranortriterpene neurotoxins; also possibly a saponin.

Severity
toxic only if eaten in large quanitites