Poisonous Plants

A list of poisonous plants in New Zealand

The following list is part of a resource published by the Ministry of Health: Nga kupu Oranga Healthy Messages, A health and safety resource for early childhood services, published in 1998. Some of the names have been corrected here.

Links from the plant names are to images and descriptions reproduced with permission from Common Weeds of New Zealand.

Common Name Botanical Name Poisonous Parts
Apple of Sodom Solanum linnaeanum Hepper & P.-M. Jaeger (syn. S. sodomeum)
 The berries
Apricot Prunus armeniaca L. The kernels inside the fruit stone. However, they are not poisonous once they have been cooked.
Arum Arum spp. All parts
Bittersweet Solanum dulcamara L. All parts, especially the berries
Boxthorn Lycium ferocissimum Miers Berries
Buttercup (Celery-leaved) Ranunculus sceleratus L. Leaves and flowers
Calico bush Kalmia latifolia L. All parts
Cape tulip Moraea flaccida (Sweet) Steud. (was Homeria collina) All parts are very poisonous, even when they are dead and dry
Castor oil plant Ricinus communis L. Seeds
Daphne Daphne spp. All parts
Elephant ear Alocasia brisbanensis (F.M.Bailey) Domin. (was A. macrorrhizos) Flowers, leaves and stems
English yew Taxus baccata L. The brown seed inside each berry
Foxglove Digitalis purpurea L. Leaves and seeds
Hemlock Conium maculatum L. All parts are very poisonous, even when they are dead and dry
Henbane Hyoscyamus niger L. Seed and fruit
Holly Ilex aquifolium L. Berries
Horse chestnut Aesculus hippocastanum L. Seeds
Inkweed Phytolacca octandra L. Berries, leaves and root
Ivy Hedera helix L. The fruit. People with sensitive skins may also develop a rash after touching the plant.
Ivy, Poison Toxicodendron radicans Kuntze (syn. Rhus radicans) The climbing plant is very poisonous when touched. The shrub may also cause a rash and swelling if it is touched by people with sensitive skin. Note: absent from New Zealand.
Jerusalem Cherry Solanum pseudocapsicum L. All parts, particularly the berries
Karaka Corynocarpus laevigatus J.R.Forst. & G.Forst. The kernels of the fruit
Kowhai Sophora microphylla Aiton All parts, but mainly the seeds
Laburnum Laburnum anagyroides Medik. All parts, especially the seeds
Lantana Lantana carmara L. The fruit
Lily-of-the-Valley Convallaria majalis L. All parts, especially the seeds
Milkweed Euphorbia peplus L. The fruit and leaves
Ngaio Myoporum laetum G.Forst. The fruit, leaves and any other green parts
Nightshade, Black Solanum nigrum L. The leaves and green berries
Nightshade, Deadly Atropa bella-donna L. All parts are very poisonous
Oleander Nerium oleander L. All parts, especially the leaves and flowers
Onga-onga or Tree Nettle Urtica ferox G.Forst. The fine white stinging hairs are violently poisonous and can cause death if you are badly stung
Peach Prunus persica (L.) Batsch The raw pip that is found inside the fruit stone
Poppy
(includes Iceland, Shirley and Oriental poppies)		 Papaver spp. The unripe seeds
Poroporo Solanum aviculare G.Forst. The leaves and green berries
Potato Solanum tuberosum L. Green potatoes and the berries
Privet Ligustrum vulgare L. The leaves and fruit
Queen of the Night Cestrum nocturnum L. All parts
Rangiora Brachyglottis repanda J.R.Forst. & G.Forst. All parts, especially the flowers and sap
Rhododendron Rhododendron spp. All parts
Spindle Tree Euonymus europaeus L. The fruit and leaves
Thornapple or Jimsons Weed Datura stramonium L. All parts, especially the leaves, seeds and nectar on the flowers
Tutu Coriaria spp. All parts, except the soft, black petals
White Cedar Melia azedarach L. The fruit

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