Today I had my daughter with me at the grocery store, who just turned a year old. She is walking all over now and has a keen sense of curiousity as many babies her age do. As I was talking to a friend in the store I noticed my daughters attention to a red leaf on the ground. It was the bract of a pointsettia plant. I never let her play with anything off the ground since you never know where things have been. One thing I know about Pointsettias is that they are a skin irritant and can cause upset stomach if a lot is consumed. The incident made me think of other holiday plants that might be poisonous, which may be eminating Christmas cheer, while hiding its dark secret through beauty and charm. These plants are in many houses with unsuspecting kids, pets and adults during the holiday season. I thought that I would share a list of the most common Christmas holiday plants that are poisonous. Fortunately the most common holiday plants are not fatally toxic. Most of the ones I have listed are most common and should be kept away from children and pets so they don't ingest them and have to suffer from such symptoms as vomiting and diarrhea.
Amaryllus hippeastrum
Holly Berries (Ilex)
Jerusalem Cherry
Mistletoe
Pointsettia (Is not as toxic as some of the other plants
listed. It's sap may cause an allergic reaction, especially
when in contact with skin.)
Pyracantha
For more information on these plants, such as detailed information on symptoms they cause if consumed check out the link below.
http://www.calpoison.org/public/winter-holidays.html
