TOXIC PLANT ORGANISMS FOUND IN THE PHILIPPINES

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Scientific Name
Pieris japonica

Common Names
Japanese andromeda, lily-of-the-valley bush

Family
Ericaceae

Plant Description
Evergreen shrub with hairless twigs; leaves alternate and simple, leathery; flowers in terminal, drooping clusters, each white, inverted urn-shaped, the short, 5 lobes spreading; fruit a round capsule.

Origin
Asia.

Poisonous Part
Leaves and nectar from flowers.

Symptoms
Tingling sensation, salivation, nose and eyes watering, nausea, vomiting, sweating, abdominal pain, headache, weakness, convulsions; may be fatal.

Toxic Principle
Andromedotoxin.

Structure

Severity
Highly toxic, maybe fatal if eaten