Scientific Name
Agarista populifolia
Common Name
Florida leucothoe

HIGHLY TOXIC, MAY BE FATAL IF EATEN!

Characteristics

Family
Ericaceae
Plant Description
Evergreen shrub; leaves alternate, simple, leathery, toothed margined; flowers in axillary clusters, small, urn-shaped, 5-lobed, white; fruit a capsule.
Origin
Southeastern USA.
Where Found
Landscape as cultivated woody flowering shrub.
Mode
Ingestion.
Poisonous Part
Leaves.
Symptoms
Watering of mouth, nose, and eyes, later nausea, vomiting, sweating, abdominal pain, headache, weakness, tingling of skin, convulsions, and paralysis.
Toxic Principle
Andromedotoxin.
Severity
HIGHLY TOXIC, MAY BE FATAL IF EATEN!

"Poisonous Plants of North Carolina," Dr. Alice B. Russell, Department of Horticultural Science; Dr. James W. Hardin, Botany; Dr. Larry Grand, Plant Pathology, and Dr. Angela Fraser, Family and Consumer Sciences, North Carolina State University. All Pictures Copyright @1997Alice B. Russell, James W. Hardin, Larry Grand. Computer programming Miguel A. Buendia; graphics Brad Capel.

Disclaimer: The list of poisonous plants on this web site does not necessarily include every poisonous plant that is known, or that might be found in an urban landscape or home. North Carolina State University does not advise eating any of the plants included in this web site. The information concerning edibility is taken from the literature, and the degree of reliability is unknown. We discourage the use of any of these plants for self medication. In cases of accidental exposure or ingestion, contact the Poison Control Center 1-800-222-1222.

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