Scientific Name
Hedera helix
Common Name
English ivy, common ivy

TOXIC ONLY IF LARGE QUANTITIES EATEN. SKIN IRRITATION SEVERE!

Characteristics

Family
Araliaceae
Plant Description
Woody, evergreen, climbing or creeping vine; leaves alternate, simple, the juvenile form palmately 3-5-lobed, usually lacking hairs, often variegated; flowers small, greenish yellow, 5-parted; fruit fleshy, black.
Origin
Eurasia.
Distribution
Throughout.
Where Found
Houseplant or interiorscape; landscape as cultivated, woody vine; forest or natural area edge, escaped & naturalized.
Mode
Ingestion, dermatitis throughout the year.
Poisonous Part
All parts.
Symptoms
Severe skin irritation with redness, itching, and blisters following contact with cell sap. Burning sensation of throat after eating berries; delirium, stupor, convulsions, hallucinations, fever, and rash following ingestion of leaves.
Toxic Principle
Triterpenoid saponins and polyacetylene compounds.
Severity
TOXIC ONLY IF LARGE QUANTITIES EATEN. SKIN IRRITATION SEVERE!

"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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