Just how toxic is your garden?

[Luke308]

My gf had an skin allergy/reaction to a flowering plant whilst at my niece's naming ceremony today. I couldn't for the life of me remember the name of the flowering plant we were sitting next to (which she came into contact with) so I googled poisonous plants etc until I found it. It was a Hydrangea, so nothing to serious. But I found this website which lists all the toxic/poisonous plants we have locally. I was astounded at how many are actually in local parks and in peoples front gardens. Oleander is everywhere here in Adelaide, even in my back yard
I thought I should share this site, as there are a few species used for bonsai which can be toxic e.g wisteria, cotoneaster etc

http://www.dpi.nsw.gov.au/__data/assets ... people.pdf

[harry]

One of the most toxic of all the plants used in Bonsai is the beautiful Azalea, the flowers the leaves are toxic. I personaly am allergic to the Rhus trees even in the same room , I attended an exhibition where one was on display and broke out in a rash.

Harry

[philf555]

Well Ill be...... Thanks for that never realised how many toxic plants I had , and since I have kids the link was most appreciated.

[GavinG]

Sorry to be sensible, but just because a plant is on a list doesn't mean that you have a problem. Most people don't react to anything, some people react to specific things (wattle makes you sneeze, rhus trees give you a rash etc.) and a few Lucky People react to just about everything. No-one's sure why the problem is growing, but, like the increasing rate of asthma, I suspect it's because we keep breathing burnt petrol fumes all day. If your kids have a history of asthma, excema, or hayfever, it might be useful to know what they are reacting to - if they don't, they're not as likely to have a problem.

And yes, I'm one of the Lucky ones. One of my favourites is the dust and mould that lurk in carpets - completely unavoidable, but they knock me round badly. That's just me - most people don't have a problem.

Gavin