Scientific Name
Arnica montana
Common Name
Leopard's-bane, mountain tobacco, mountain snuff, arnica root

TOXIC ONLY IF LARGE QUANTITIES EATEN. SKIN IRRITATION MINOR, OR LASTING ONLY FOR A FEW MINUTES.

Characteristics

Family
Asteraceae
Plant Description
Herbaceous perennial with few branches; basal leaves clustered, stem leaves opposite, simple; flowers in a head, all yellow.
Origin
Europe.
Where Found
Landscape, cultivated in rock gardens or borders of flower beds.
Mode
Dermatitis, ingestion.
Poisonous Part
Flowers, roots.
Symptoms
Skin irritation upon contact. After ingestion, heart palpitation, vomiting, drowsiness, shortness of breath, and coma in children.
Toxic Principle
Helenalin.
Severity
TOXIC ONLY IF LARGE QUANTITIES EATEN. SKIN IRRITATION MINOR, OR LASTING ONLY FOR A FEW MINUTES.

"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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