Scientific Name
Kalmia latifolia
Common Name
Mountain laurel, mountain ivy, ivy bush

HIGHLY TOXIC, MAY BE FATAL IF EATEN!

Characteristics

Family
Ericaceae
Plant Description
Large, evergreen shrub; leaves alternate and simple; flowers pinkish, in terminal clusters, each saucer-shaped with 5 shallow lobes, the 10 anthers at first stuck in small pockets; fruit a capsule.
Origin
USA, NC.
Distribution
Throughout.
Where Found
Forest or natural areas in moist woods and along stream banks; landscape as cultivated ornamental flowering shrub or small tree.
Mode
Ingestion.
Poisonous Part
All parts.
Symptoms
Salivation, watering of eyes and nose, slow pulse, nausea, vomiting, sweating, abdominal pain, headache, tingling of skin, lack of coordination, convulsions, paralysis.
Toxic Principle
Andromedotoxin, a resinoid; arbutin, a glycoside.
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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