Scientific Name
Ruta graveolens
Common Name
Rue

HIGHLY TOXIC, MAY BE FATAL IF EATEN! SKIN IRRITATION MINOR, OR LASTING ONLY FOR A FEW MINUTES.

Characteristics

Family
Rutaceae
Plant Description
Small, bluish, shrublike, perennial herb; leaves alternate, simple, aromatic when bruised, deeply lobed and appearing 2-pinnately divided, gland-dotted; flowers small, yellow, 4-5-parted, in terminal, erect clusters; fruit a capsule.
Origin
Europe.
Distribution
Piedmont
Where Found
Landscape as cultivated herbaceous perennial small shrub; forest or natural areas when escaped and naturalized; weedy in disturbed areas.
Mode
Ingestion, dermatitis.
Poisonous Part
All parts.
Symptoms
Skin irritation following contact and sunlight. Ingestion causes stomach pain, vomiting, exhaustion, confusion, and convulsions; may be fatal.
Toxic Principle
Furocoumarins; rutin, a volatile oil; alkaloids; coumarin derivatives.
Severity
HIGHLY TOXIC, MAY BE FATAL IF 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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