TOXIC PLANT ORGANISMS FOUND IN THE PHILIPPINES

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Scientific Name
Sapium sebiferum

Common Name
Popcorn Tree

Family
Euphorbiaceae

Plant Description
Deciduous tree; leaves alternate, simple, triangular shaped with pointed tip and 2 glands at base of blade; flowers yellowish in elongated clusters; fruit a capsule splitting and exposing large, white seeds.

Origin
Asia.

Poisonous Part
Unripe fruit, plant sap from all parts.

Symptoms
Nausea, vomiting, diarrhea; skin and eye irritation.

Toxic Principle
Possibly diterpene esters.

Severity
Causes only low toxicity if eaten.  Skin irritations minor, may last only for a few minutes