Edible flowers have entered into a new age of
popularity. Pansies, daylilies and squash blossoms now appear nightly at popular
restaurants around the country. Basil florets, chive blossoms and coriander
umbels adorn herbal luncheon plates. Colorful assorted petals now garnish salads
of trendy mixed greens. The general population is being conditioned to accept
the idea that flowers are edible. In general, this trend is a healthy one for
specialty producers of herbs and flowers, but this emerging awareness holds a
hint of danger. While many flowers and plants are tasty, nutritious and even
therapeutic, there are, among the flora of the world, plants that are not good
to be eaten and others which may actually be deadly. It then becomes crucial
that responsible herbalists and restauranteurs stress the importance of proper
identification of edible flowers and strict avoidance of the unknown, no matter
how succulent, beautiful or beguiling.
Common names can sometimes contribute to the
confusion, since the same name may apply to a tasty edible and a deadly
poisonous plant. Botanical nomenclature is one tool to help avoid mistakes
within the industry, but many citizens in the general population are resistant,
if not openly hostile, toward Latin binomials. The next best procedure is to
stress the need to know exactly which plants are safe and edible and to avoid
anything with unknown properties. There is both a need and a responsibility
within the herb industry to provide enough education to the public so that they
can recognize and bypass dangerous plants.
A second note of caution involves taking care not
to eat or recommend routine consumption of commercial flowers, due to possible
pesticide and fertilizer issues. Bedding plants may be routinely sprayed to keep
pests at bay in the greenhouse during their production. Many are also fertilized
with overhead watering that may leave fertilizer residue on the leaves, buds,
and flowers. Most cut flowers today are grown in countries around the world that
may be subject to less stringent pesticide regulations than the U.S., Canada,
the Netherlands and other developed nations. Even locally grown flowers may have
residues on them that it might be best to avoid. Using only flowers grown
specifically for edible usage, by those you trust or those which have been
growing under your care for an extended period is the best policy.
Following is a list of some flowering plants that
should be avoided when sampling edible flowers. Some of these are well known for
their dangerous nature, while others may come as comparative surprises. It
is by no means a complete list, as there are thousands of plant species
whose consumption may have negative consequences. Just a caution is the rule
when eating wild mushrooms, remember to consume only those flowers and plant
where there is a high level of certainty as to their safety. Never ever sample a
small amount of a flower or plant "just to see."
Like so many other activities, eating flowers can
be a wonderful experience if done intelligently and responsibly using adequate
information.
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1. Colchicum
autumnale
Autumn Crocus, Meadow Saffron (not Crocus savtivus, true
Saffron) |
The alkaloid
colchicine is concentrated in the flowers and bulbs. Can cause death. A
popular mystery novel poison. |
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2. Convallaria
majalis
Lily-of-the-valley |
All parts
contain cardiac glycosides covallarin,convallamarin and convallatoxin.
Can cause death. |
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3. Gloriosa
superba
Glory Lily |
All plant parts
contain colchicine and superbine; flowers also contain lumicolchicine.
Can cause death. |
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4. Ornithogalum
umbellatum
Star-of-Bethlehem |
The bulbs
contain convallatoxin and convalliside; whether or not the flowers are
toxic is not known. Can cause gastrointestinal upset with nausea. |
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5. Amaryllis species
Amaryllis |
Bulbs and seeds
contain alkaloids such as haemanthamine, hippeastrine, lycorine,
tazzetine, amaryllidine and others. May cause gastroenteritis, vomiting,
diarrhea and shivering. |
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6. Narcissus
species
Jonquil, Daffodil |
Bulbs contain
alkaloids such as galanthamine, haemanthamine, lycorine and others as
well as calcium oxalate crystals. Flowers - unknown content. May cause
death in large quantities; petals and sap may cause contact dermatitis. |
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7. Humulus
lupulus
Hops |
Contains variety
of volatile oils such as humulene, myrcene, caryophyllene and farnesene.
May cause allergic contact dermatitis with eruptions after contact with
leaves, flowers or pollen. |
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8. Fagopyrum
esculentum (=sagittatum)
Buckwheat |
A
napthrodianthrone derivative known as fagopyrin causes
photosensitization in animals. May cause hay fever and skin irritation
in humans. |
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9. Mirabilis
jalapa
Four O'Clock |
Roots and seeds
contain unspecified toxins. May cause nausea, stomach pains,
gastroenteritis, vomiting and diarrhea, especially in children; handling
roots and seeds may also cause dermatitis. |
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10. Agrostemma
githago
Corn Cockle |
Seeds contain
the saponin githagin and the sapogenin githagenin. May cause severe
gastroenteritis, nausea, abdominal pain, dizziness, weakness, vomiting,
diarrhea and slow, labored breathing. |
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11. Saponaria
officinalis
Bouncing Bet, Soapwort |
The seeds
contain githagenin; also saponins saporubin and saporubinic acid in the
roots. May cause gastroenteric irritation, chiefly of the intestinal
mucosa; also the destruction of red blood cells. |
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12. Aconitum
species
Wolfsbane, Monkshood |
All plant parts
contain the alkaloid aconitine. Causes a variety of severe symptoms
which may culminate in respiratory paralysis, coma and death. |
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13. Anemone
species
Windflower |
Contains
innocuous glycoside ranunculin that breaks down to form the irritant
aglycone protoanemonin. May cause irritation of mucous membranes,
burning of the throat, vomiting, bloody diarrhea, dizziness, fainting
and convulsions. Symptoms also apply to Actae, Caltha, Clematis
and Ranunculus. |
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14. Clematis
species
Leather Flower, Virgin's Bower |
Same as above
for Anemone. |
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15. Delphinium
species
Larkspur, Delphinium |
Contains
alkaloids delphinine, delphinboidine, ajacine, delphisine and others.
May cause burning in the mouth, tingling skin, nausea, stomach upset,
abdominal upset and other symptoms which may lead to death. |
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16. Helleborus niger
Christmas Rose |
Roots and leaves
contain the cardiac glycoside hellebrin and others. May cause slow,
irregular pulse, labored breathing, convulsions, respiratory failure and
sometimes death. |
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17. Ranunculus
species
Buttercup, Crowfoot |
Same as Anemone,
also pollen may cause respiratory irritation. |
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18. Dicentra
species
Bleeding Heart, Dutchman's Breeches |
Isoquinoline
alkaloids such as protopine and others occur in all parts. May cause
labored breathing, trembling, incoordination, convulsions; large amounts
may be fatal. |
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19. Hydrangea
species
Hydrangea |
Leaves, branches
and buds contain hydrangin, a cyanogenic glycoside and possibly other
toxins. May cause gastroenteric distress, labored breathing, coma
convulsions and fibrillary twitching. |
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20. Laburnum
anagyroides
Golden Chain Tree |
The
quinolizidine alkaloid cytisine occurs in all parts, especially the
seeds and bark. May cause burning of the mouth, thirst, irregular pulse,
coma, circulatory collapse, respiratory failure and death. |
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21. Lathyrus
species
Sweet Pea, Chick Pea |
The seeds, in
particular, contain a water soluble aliphatic amino acid glycoside with
a nitrile group and other toxins. May cause partial or total paralysis
of legs and/or arms when consumed in large amounts. Additional symptoms
are transitory, paralysis is permanent. |
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22. Lupinus
species
Lupine |
Seeds contain
quinolizidine alkaloids such as lupinine and anagyrine, as well as
others. May cause respiratory depression and slowing of the heart. |
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23. Wisteria
species Wisteria |
Seeds, pods and
bark contain the glycoside wisterin and a toxic resin. May cause
gastroenteric irritation, chiefly of the gastric mucosa, nausea,
repeated vomiting, diarrhea, dehydration. Recovery is usually within 24
hours. |
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24. Linum
ustatissimum
Flax |
All parts of the
young plant contain cyanoganic glycoside linamarin and its homolog
lotaustralin. May cause difficult breathing, paralysis, convulsions and
death. |
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25. Ruta
graveolens
Rue |
All plant parts
contain furocoumarins and rutin. The leaves may cause skin dermatitis,
subsequent photodermatitis; internally, large amounts of rue oil cause
stomach pain, vomiting, exhaustion, confusion, convulsions and death. |
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26. Euphorbia
species
Spurge |
The irritant sap
contains various principles, which irritate the eyes, mouth and
gastrointestinal tract; dermatitis in sensitive individuals. E.
marginata (Snow-on-the-Mountain) has caused fatality. E.
pulcherrima (poinsettia) normally does nothing but cause minor skin
irritation on contact. Other Euphorbias vary in severity of sap
toxicity. |
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27. Ricinus
communis
Castor bean |
All parts,
particularly the seeds, contain ricin, a phytotoxin, ricinine, an
alkaloid, hydrogen cyanide and other unknown toxins. Produces a variety
of terrible symptoms leading to tachycardia, convulsions, liver and
kidney damage and death. Volatile emanations when in bloom may cause
allergic respiratory irritation, as can handling the leaves. |
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28. Aesculus
species
Buckeye, Horse Chestnut |
Aesculin, a
hydroxy derivative of coumarin, has been found in the leaves, bark,
young twigs and seeds of several species. May cause mucous membrane
inflammation, nausea, headache, salivation, thirst, stupor,
incoordination, convulsions, circulatory and respiratory failure and
death. |
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29. Eucalyptus
species
Eucalyptus |
The leaves of
all species contain oil of eucalyptus and cyanogenic glycosides that
release hydrogen cyanide (HCN). May cause gastroenteritis, labored
breathing, stupor, paralysis, convulsions and death. |
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30. Cicuta
maculata
Water Hemlock, Spotted Cowbane |
The most
violently toxic plant of the north temperate zone. Cicutoxin is an
unsaturated alcohol that acts on the central nervous system in about 1/2
hour. Long list of symptoms from nausea and salivation to fever,
delirium, convulsions, complete paralysis, respiratory and/or
circulatory failure and death. |
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31. Conium
maculatum
Poison Hemlock |
Contains
piperidine alkaloids coniine and coniceine and other toxins. Causes
nervousness, gastroenteric distress, confusion, pupil dilation, weak
pulse, convulsions, coma, coldness of extremities, respiratory failure
and death. The hemlock tree, Tsuga species, is an unrelated plant which
is not poisonous at all. |
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32. Daucus
carota
Wild Carrot, Queen Anne's Lace |
The leaves
contain furocoumarins that may cause allergic contact dermatitis from
the leaves, especially when wet. Later exposure to the sun may cause
mild photodermatitis. Carrot seed is also an early abortifacient,
historically, sometimes used as a natural "morning after" tea. |
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33. Pastinaca
sativa
Wild Parsnip |
All parts
contain furocoumarins that may cause severe photodermatitis with
swelling and blisters in about 48 hours. Purple pigmentation of affected
skin may persist for some time. |
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34. Kalmia
latifolia
Mountain Laurel |
Contains
andromedotoxin in all plant parts. Mouth, nose and eyes water soon after
ingestion. Gastrointestinal distress, seating, low blood pressure, slow
pulse, drowsiness, convulsions and increasing limb paralysis until death
follow. Delaware Indians used this plant for suicide. |
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35. Rhododendron
species
Rhododendron, Azalea |
Grayanotoxin I
and III, especially in the leaves; also andromedotoxin. Symptoms very
similar to Kalmia poisoning. |
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36. Catharanthus
roseus (Vinca rosea)
Madagascar Periwinkle |
The indole
alkaloids vinblastine, vincristine and others. Smoking the dried leaves
may cause incoordination, prickling of the skin and hallucinations;
excessive or extended use may result in kidney and nervous system
problems. |
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37. Nerium oleander
Oleander |
All parts,
especially the twigs, green or dry, leaves and flowers contain the
cardiac glycosides neriin and oleandrin. After a few hours, dizziness,
sleepiness, slow, irregular heartbeat, pupil dilation occur; followed by
unconsciousness, convulsions, respiratory paralysis and death. Drinking
water from a vase that contained the flowers has caused poisoning. |
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38. Asclepias
species
Milkweed |
Contains several
cardiac glycosides, which may cause vomiting, stupor and weakness; the
sap may also cause dermatitis. The root of A. tuberosa, Butterfly
Weed, is used medicinally, but overdoses are toxic. |
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39. Ipomoea
tricolor
Morning Glory |
Lysergic acid
amide, isoergine, elymoclavine and other principles. The seeds cause
hallucinations if taken in large quantities. Side effects may include
nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, drowsiness, numbness of extremities and
muscle tightness. |
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40. Lantana
camara
Lantana |
The fruit
contains lantanine, a hepatogenic photosensitizer in animals. It is most
toxic when green. In humans, withing 2-5 hours, lethargy,
gastrointestinal upset with vomiting and diarrhea, dilated pupils,
labored respiration, circulatory collapse and death may follow. Leaves
may cause dermatitis. |
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41. Atropa
balladonna
Deadly Nightshade |
Berries, leaves
and roots contain tropane alkaloids and other toxins including
apoatropine, balladonnine and cuscohygrine. May cause fever, hot, dry,
flushed skin, thirst, difficulty in swallowing, burning of the throat,
pupil dilation, hallucinations, confusion, convulsions, coma with
subnormal temperature, respiratory failure and death. |
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42. Datura stramonium
Jimsonweed |
All parts,
including pollen, contain the tropane alkaloid hyocyamine, atropine and
scopolamine in high concentrations. Symptoms similar to A. belladonna,
but slightly less deadly. |
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43. Solanum
species
Nightshade |
The solanidan
alkaloids solanine and demissine, with solanine especially concentrated
in the immature fruits. May cause nausea, vomiting, abdominal pain and
constipation or diarrhea. If hydrolysed by being bruised or eaten, it
can cause apathy, drowsiness, salivation, paralysis, circulatory and
respiratory depression, unconsciousness and death. S. pseudocapsicum,
Jerusalem Cherry, sold as a potted plant for its lush foliage and bright
red berries, can cause human poisoning. (Some assume these plants to be
peppers, Capsicum species, but such is not the case. Potatoes, S.
tuberosum, that have spoiled or turned green after exposure to the
sun and the sprouts on tubers can cause severe poisoning, even death, if
consumed in fairly large quantities. |
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44. Digitalis
purpurea
Foxglove |
Leaves, seeds
and flowers contain a wide variety of cardiac glycosides. Drying does
not diminish the potency of the toxins. Symptoms may include various
gastrointestinal problems, drowsiness, irregular heartbeat and pulse,
tremors, convulsions and death. Trace amounts are used as heart
medication, larger amounts are often fatal. |
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45. Lonicera
japonica
Japanese Honeysuckle |
Known chemical
components include saponin, tannin, HCN; flowers contain inositol. Soon
after ingestion, severe nemesis, colic, diarrhea, pupil dilation, cold
sweat, accelerated heartbeat, twitching of the limbs may be followed by
convulsions, respiratory failure, coma and death. |
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46. Lobelia species
Cardinal Flower, Indian Tobacco |
All parts
contain the alkaloids lobelanine and lobeline. May cause vomiting,
weakness, tremors, sweating, rapid and weak pulse, depressed
temperature, stupor, collapse, convulsions, coma, paralysis and death. |
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47. Ageratina
altisssima (Eupatorium rugosum)
White Snakeroot |
All parts
contain trematol, a complex, unstable alcohol in combination with a
resin and glycosides. After a day or so of weakness, tremors, nausea,
delirium, constipation, acetone odor on the breath, collapse, coma and
death. In colonial times, this plant caused an illness known as
"milk sickness," brought on from drinking milk from cows who
had eaten this plant. This was reported as the cause of the death of
Abraham Lincoln's mother. |
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48. Daphne
mezreum
Daphne |
All parts
contain mezerein, a daphnane ester. Symptoms include internal irritation
with swelling of the lips and tongue, thirst, salivation, difficulty in
swallowing, gastrointestinal distress, bloody diarrhea and weakness.
Severe cases may show delirium, collapse, convulsions, coma and death. |
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49. Anthurium
andraenum
Anthurium |
The leaves and
stems contain insoluble calcium oxalate needles, as well as various
protein toxins. Ingestion may cause a burning sensation of the mouth,
throat, lips and tongue. Various types of skin rashes may also develop. |
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50. Helotropium
arborescens
Heliotrope |
The plant
contains varying amounts of pyrrolozidine alkaloids in all parts.
Effects are not immediately evident. The primary toxic effects are
produced on the liver. Since the alkaloids are generally excreted in 24
hours, diagnosing this plant as the cause of the illness is difficult.
Other possible symptoms include damage to blood vessels and the lungs as
well as headache, abdominal swelling and kidney damage. |
