TOXIC PLANT ORGANISMS FOUND IN THE PHILIPPINES

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Scientific Name
Iris spp.

Common Name
Iris

Family
Iridaceae

Plant Description
Perennial herbs from a rhizome or bulb; leaves strap-like, overlapping at base, oriented in one plane; flowers 1-several at the top of a naked stem, 6-parted with 3 outer, spreading or pendent "falls" and 3 inner, erect "standards", variously colored; fruit a capsule.

Origin
Asia.

Poisonous Part
Rhizomes (thickened roots) and rootstocks, fresh or dry.

Symptoms
Nausea, vomiting, abdominal pain, diarrhea, elevated temperature following ingestion; skin irritation upon contact with seeds, rootstock, or cell sap.

Toxic Principle
Irisin, iridin, or irisine.

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.