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Many food plants possess toxic parts, are toxic unless processed, or are toxic at certain stages of their life. Notable examples include:
* Apple (Malus domestica). Seeds contain cyanogenic glycosides; in most species, the amount found in a single fruit won't kill a person; but it is possible to ingest enough seeds to provide a fatal dose.
* Cassava (Manihot esculenta) Toxic in the unprocessed form.
* Cherry (Prunus cerasus), as well as other species (Prunus spp) such as peach (Prunus persica), plum (Prunus domestica), almond (Prunus dulcis), and apricot (Prunus armeniaca). Leaves and seeds contain cyanogenic glycosides.
* Indian pea (Lathyrus sativus). A legume grown in Asia and East Africa as an insurance crop for use during famines. Contains oxalyl-L-?,ß-diaminopropionic acid (ODAP), a neurotoxin causing wasting and paralysis if eaten over a long period.
* Kidney bean or common bean (Phaseolus vulgaris). Contains the lectin phytohaemagglutinin, which causes gastric upset. Toxicity removed by thorough cooking.
* Nutmeg (Myristica fragrans). Contains myristicin.
* Lima bean or Butter Bean (Phaseolus lunatus). Raw beans contain dangerous amounts of linamarin, a cyanogenic glucoside.
* Lupin. Some varieties have edible seeds. Sweet Lupins have less, and Bitter Lupins have more of the toxic alkaloids lupinine and sparteine.
* Onions and garlic. Onions and garlic (genus Allium) contain thiosulphate, which in high doses is toxic to dogs, cats and some other livestock.
* Potato (Solanum tuberosum). Foliage and green-tinged tubers are toxic, containing the glycoalkaloid solanine, which develops as a result of exposure to light. Causes intense digestive disturbances, nervous symptoms, and in high enough doses, death.
* Rhubarb (Rheum rhaponticum). Leaf blades, but not petioles, contain oxalic acid salts, causing kidney disorders, convulsions, coma. Rarely fatal.
* Tomato (Solanum lycopersicum). Foliage and vines contain alkaloid poisons which cause digestive upset and nervous excitement. |
Poisonous Plants
