Rural School Leaflet 



1289 



A FEW COMMON POISONOUS PLANTS 



E. L. Palmer 



In discussing poisonous plants many things must be taken into con- 

 sideration. For example, we may separate the poisonous plants into 

 two classes: those that are poisonous to the touch and those that are 

 poisonous only when parts of them are eaten. In the first class we 

 should place such plants as poison ivy and poison sumac. In the second 

 class there is a larger group, including poison hemlock, nightshade, 

 Jimson weed, and other plants. Again, some plants, such as poison ivy, 

 are poisonous to some individuals while they are harmless to others. 

 The plants described in this article are those that are comparatively 



Poison ivy 



common in New York State and that have caused serious poisoning in 

 several well-authenticated cases. 



It might be of interest to note that all the plants mentioned have 

 medicinal properties. In using them as drugs, however, they are admin- 

 istered in limited quantities only. 



Plants poisonous to the touch. 1. Poison ivy, three-leaved ivy, poison 

 oak, poison wine, mercury (Rhus Toxicodendron). Poison ivy is a common 

 and well-known plant. It is especially abundant in rocky places, where it 

 sometimes crowds out all other vegetation. In other places it twines 

 about trees, fences, and the like, making a dense mass of vegetation 



