Scientific Name
Calla palustris
Common Name
Water arum, water-dragon, wild calla

CAUSES SEVERE PAIN IN THE MOUTH IF EATEN!

Characteristics

Family
Araceae
Plant Description
Small, perennial herb with long-stalked, heart-shaped leaves; flowers in a spadix surrounded by a white spathe; fruits a cluster of red berries.
Origin
USA.
Where Found
Landscape, cultivated in water gardens.
Mode
Ingestion.
Poisonous Part
All parts.
Symptoms
Burning and swelling of lips, mouth, tongue, and throat; difficulty of speaking.
Edibility
EDIBLE PARTS: Dried berries are edible. Dried seeds and rootstocks can be made into a flour, but used only in times of need. SOURCE: Peterson, L. 1978. A Field Guide to Edible Wild Plants. Houghton Mifflin Co., Boston, 330 pp.
Toxic Principle
Calcium oxalate crystals.
Severity
CAUSES SEVERE PAIN IN THE MOUTH 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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