Plants and mushrooms can cause permanent disability or even death. Others may cause rashes, vomiting or other unpleasant, but not life threatening, reactions.

We’ve included some poisonous plants and mushrooms, however if a poisoning or suspected poisoning occurs contact us on 13 11 26 without delay.

Toxicity categories

  • These plants are known to cause injury, permanent disability, and in some cases, death. Don't plant these and remove any existing plants you have.
  • How toxic these are depend on the level of exposure. You shouldn’t grow these where young children will have access to them, such as at preschools and childcare centres. Toddlers may be at greater risk because of their habit of tasting things and small body size. You should supervise children carefully around these plants.
  • These plants can irritate your skin and eyes if you come into contact with their sap, prickles, spines or stinging hairs. Don’t let children near them.
  • Pollen or perfume from this plant can cause breathing problems. This isn't an asthma friendly plant.

Browse poisonous plants and mushrooms by:

Gallery

Showing: 
  • African milk bush

    Botanical name: Synadenium grantii

  • Agapanthus

    Botanical name: Agapanthus praecox

  • Allamanda

    Botanical name: Allamanda spp.

  • Amaryllis (Hippeastrum)

    Botanical name: Hippeastrum

  • Angel's trumpet

    Botanical name: Brugmansia spp.

  • Angel's wings

    Botanical name: Caladium spp.

  • Arrowhead vine

    Botanical name: Syngonium spp.

  • Arum lily

    Botanical name: Zantedeschia aethiopica

  • Asparagus fern

    Botanical name: Asparagus spp.

  • Bellyache bush

    Botanical name: Jatropha gossypiifolia

  • Black bean

    Botanical name: Castanospermum australe

  • Blackberry nightshade

    Botanical name: Solanum nigrum, Solanum americanum

  • Blue flax lily

    Botanical name: Dianella spp.

  • Brazilian nightshade

    Botanical name: Solanum seaforthianum

  • Brazilian pepper tree

    Botanical name: Schinus terebinthifolius

  • Burrawang palm

    Botanical name: Lepidozamia peroffskyana

  • Candelabra cactus

    Botanical name: Euphorbia lactea

  • Candle nut

    Botanical name: Aleurites moluccanus

  • Castor oil plant

    Botanical name: Ricinus communis

  • Chalice vine

    Botanical name: Solandra maxima

  • Chenille plant

    Botanical name: Acalypha hispida

  • Chilli pepper

    Botanical name: Capsicum frutescens

  • Codiaeum

    Botanical name: Codiaeum variegatum

  • Comfrey

    Botanical name: Symphytum officinale

  • Common thornapple

    Botanical name: Datura stramonium

  • Copperleaf

    Botanical name: Acalypha wilkesiana

  • Coral plant

    Botanical name: Jatropha multifida

  • Crab's eye

    Botanical name: Abrus precatorius

  • Crown-of-thorns

    Botanical name: Euphorbia milii

  • Cunjevoi

    Botanical name: Alocasia brisbanensis, Alocasia macrorrhizos

  • Cycads

    Botanical name: Cycas spp.

  • Daffodils

    Botanical name: Narcissus spp.

  • Desert rose

    Botanical name: Adenium obesum

  • Dumbcane

    Botanical name: Dieffenbachia spp.

  • Duranta

    Botanical name: Duranta erecta, Duranta repens

  • Earth balls

    Botanical name: Scleroderma spp.

  • Fishtail palm

    Botanical name: Caryota spp.

  • Flamingo flower

    Botanical name: Anthurium andraeanum

  • Foxglove

    Botanical name: Digitalis purpurea

  • Frangipani

    Botanical name: Plumeria spp.

  • Fruit salad plant

    Botanical name: Monstera deliciosa

  • Glory lily

    Botanical name: Gloriosa superba

  • Green cestrum

    Botanical name: Cestrum parqui

  • Green-spored parasol

    Botanical name: Chlorophyllum molybdites

  • Grevillea Robyn Gordon

    Botanical name: Grevillea spp.

  • Guatemala rhubarb

    Botanical name: Jatropha podagrica

  • Hairy thornapple

    Botanical name: Datura metel

  • Haymaker's mushroom

    Botanical name: Panaeolina foenisecii

  • Hydrangea

    Botanical name: Hydrangea macrophylla

  • Inkweed

    Botanical name: Phytolacca octandra

  • Iris

    Botanical name: Iris spp.

  • Japanese honeysuckle

    Botanical name: Lonicera japonica

  • Japanese wisteria

    Botanical name: Wisteria floribunda, Wisteria sinensis

  • Jerusalem cherry

    Botanical name: Solanum pseudocapsicum

  • Lantana

    Botanical name: Lantana camara

  • Mango

    Botanical name: Mangifera indica

  • Milky mangrove

    Botanical name: Excoecaria agallocha

  • Naked lady

    Botanical name: Euphorbia tirucalli

  • Night blooming jessamine

    Botanical name: Cestrum nocturnum

  • Peace lily

    Botanical name: Spathiphyllum spp.

  • Pepperina

    Botanical name: Schinus molle

  • Periwinkle (pink or white)

    Botanical name: Catharanthus roseus

  • Peruvian lily

    Botanical name: Alstroemeria spp.

  • Petty spurge

    Botanical name: Euphorbia peplus

  • Philodendron

    Botanical name: Philodendron spp.

  • Physic nut

    Botanical name: Jatropha curcas

  • Pineapple zamia

    Botanical name: Lepidozamia hopei

  • Pink oleander

    Botanical name: Nerium oleander

  • Plumbago

    Botanical name: Plumbago auriculata

  • Plumbago zeylanica

    Botanical name: Plumbago zeylanica

  • Poinsettia

    Botanical name: Euphorbia pulcherrima

  • Pokeweed

    Botanical name: Phytolacca americana

  • Pothos

    Botanical name: Epipremnum spp.

  • Pride of Madiera

    Botanical name: Echium candicans

  • Primula

    Botanical name: Primula spp.

  • Privet

    Botanical name: Ligustrum spp.

  • Rhaphidophora

    Botanical name: Rhaphidophora spp.

  • Rhubarb

    Botanical name: Rheum spp.

  • Rhus

    Botanical name: Toxicodendron succedaneum

  • Sea mango

    Botanical name: Cerbera manghas

  • Silky oak

    Botanical name: Grevillea robusta

  • Snowflake

    Botanical name: Euphorbia leucocephala

  • Snow on the mountain

    Botanical name: Euphorbia marginata

  • Stinging nettles

    Botanical name: Urtica urens, Urtica incisa

  • Stinging tree

    Botanical name: Dendrocnide spp.

  • Stinkhorn fungi

    Botanical name: Aseroe rubra, Phallus rubicundus and others

  • Sweet pea

    Botanical name: Lathyrus odoratus

  • Taro

    Botanical name: Colocasia spp.

  • Tobacco

    Botanical name: Nicotiana tabacum

  • White cedar

    Botanical name: Melia azedarach

  • Wild passionfruit

    Botanical name: Passiflora spp.

  • Wintersweet

    Botanical name: Acokanthera oblongifolia

  • Yellow oleander

    Botanical name: Cascabela spp.

  • Yellow staining mushroom

    Botanical name: Agaricus xanthodermus,A. placomyces, A. moelleri

  • Yesterday, today and tomorrow

    Botanical name: Brunfelsia australis

  • Zamia

    Botanical name: Macrozamia spp.

  • Zanzibar gem

    Botanical name: Zamioculcas zamiifolia

  • Zigzag plant

    Botanical name: Euphorbia tithymaloides

Common name

Sometimes there is more than one common name for a plant or mushroom. We've listed most common names, but there may be ones we haven't.

A

Common name Botanical name
African milk bush Synadenium grantii
Agapanthus Agapanthus praecox
Allamanda Allamanda
Amaryllis Hippeastrum
Angel’s trumpet Brugmansia
Angel’s wings Caladium
Arrowhead vine Syngonium
Arum lily Zantedeschia aethiopica
Asparagus fern Asparagus 
Aussie gold Duranta erecta, Duranta repens

B

Common name Botanical name
Barbados nut Jatropha curcas
Baronne de Rothschild Codiaeum variegatum
Be-still tree Cascabela
Bead tree Melia azedarach
Beefsteak plant Acalypha wilkesiana
Bellyache bush Jatropha gossypiifolia
Bird pepper Capsicum frutescens
Black bean Castanospermum australe
Blackberry nightshade Solanum nigrum, Solanum americanum
Blind-your-eye Excoecaria agallocha
Blue flax lily Dianella 
Brazilian nightshade Solanum seaforthianum
Brazilian pepper tree Schinus terebinthifolius
Broad-leaved pepper tree Schinus terebinthifolius
Burrawang palm Lepidozamia peroffskyana
Bush allamanda Allamanda
Bushman's poison Acokanthera oblongifolia

C

Common name Botanical name
Caladium Caladium
Calla lily Zantedeschia aethiopica
Candelabra cactus Euphorbia lactea
Candle nut Aleurites moluccanus
Cape lilac Melia azedarach
Castor bean Ricinus communis
Castor oil plant Ricinus communis
Ceriman Monstera deliciosa
Cestrums Cestrum parqui
Chalice vine Solandra maxima
Chenille plant Acalypha hispida
Chilean cestrum Cestrum parqui
Chilli pepper Capsicum frutescens
Chinaberry Melia azedarach
Clustered fishtail palm Caryota 
Codiaeum Codiaeum variegatum
Comfrey Symphytum officinale
Common nightshade Solanum nigrum, Solanum americanum
Common thornapple Datura stramonium
Cook tree Cascabela
Copperleaf Acalypha wilkesiana
Coral plant Jatropha multifida
Cotton-leaf physic nut Jatropha gossypiifolia
Crab's eye Abrus precatorius
Crown-of-thorns Euphorbia milii
Cunjevoi Alocasia brisbanensis, Alocasia macrorrhizos
Curcas bean Jatropha curcas
Cycads Cycas

D

Common name Botanical name
Daffodils Narcissus 
Dasheen Colocasia
Desert rose Adenium obesum
Dicky plant Cascabela
Dieffenbachia Dieffenbachia
Dumbcane Dieffenbachia
Duranta Duranta erecta, Duranta repens

E

Common name Botanical name
Earth balls Scleroderma
Elephant ears Colocasia

F

Common name Botanical name
Fijian fire plant Acalypha wilkesiana
Fire bush Acalypha wilkesiana
Fishtail palm Caryota
Flamingo flower Anthurium andraeanum
Flamingo lily Anthurium andraeanum
Foxglove Digitalis purpurea
Frangipani Plumeria
Fruit salad plant Monstera deliciosa

G

Common name Botanical name
Geisha girl Duranta erecta, Duranta repens
Giant stinging tree Dendrocnide
Gidee-gidee Abrus precatorius
Gimpie gimpie Dendrocnide
Glory lily Gloriosa superba
Glossy nightshade Solanum nigrum, Solanum americanum
Golden cup Solandra maxima
Golden dewdrop Duranta erecta, Duranta repens
Golden trumpet Allamanda
Goldfinger Codiaeum variegatum
Gout plant Jatropha podagrica
Gout stick Jatropha podagrica
Green cestrum Cestrum parqui
Green poisonberry Cestrum parqui
Green-spored parasol Chlorophyllum molybdites
Grevillea Robyn Gordon Grevillea
Guatemala rhubarb Jatropha podagrica

H

Common name Botanical name
Hairy thornapple Datura metel
Haymaker's mushroom Panaeolina foenisecii
Hippeastrum Hippeastrum
Hydrangea Hydrangea macrophylla

I

Common name Botanical name
Inkweed Phytolacca octandra
Iodine bush Cestrum parqui
Iris Iris

J

Common name Botanical name
Jacob’s coat Acalypha wilkesiana
Japanese honeysuckle Lonicera japonica
Japanese wax tree Toxicodendron succedaneum
Japanese wisteria Wisteria floribunda, Wisteria sinensis
Jequirity bean Abrus precatorius
Jerusalem cherry Solanum pseudocapsicum
Joseph’s Coat Codiaeum variegatum

K

Common name Botanical name
Karabil Melia azedarach

L

Common name Botanical name
Lady of the night Cestrum nocturnum
Lady’s slipper Euphorbia tithymaloides
Lantana Lantana camara
Lucky nut Cascabela

M

Common name Botanical name
Madeira winter cherry Solanum pseudocapsicum
Madonna lily Spathiphyllum
Malabar tree Euphorbia tirucalli
Mango Mangifera indica
Milky mangrove Excoecaria agallocha
Molle Schinus molle
Moreton Bay chestnut Castanospermum australe
Mortii Codiaeum variegatum

N

Common name Botanical name
Naked lady Euphorbia tirucalli
Night blooming jessamine Cestrum nocturnum
Norwood beauty Codiaeum variegatum

O

Common name Botanical name
Oleander Nerium oleander
Oleander rose laurel Nerium oleander

P

Common name Botanical name
Palma christi Ricinus communis
Peace lily Spathiphyllum
Pencil tree Euphorbia tirucalli
Pepper tree Schinus molle
Pepperina Schinus molle
Periwinkle (pink or white) Catharanthus roseus
Persian lilac Melia azedarach
Peruvian lily Alstroemeria
Petty spurge Euphorbia peplus
Philodendron Philodendron
Physic nut Jatropha curcas
Pineapple zamia Lepidozamia hopei
Pink allamanda Allamanda
Pink oleander Nerium oleander
Plumbago Plumbago auriculata
Plumbago zeylanica Plumbago zeylanica
Poinsettia Euphorbia pulcherrima
Poison sumach Toxicodendron succedaneum
Pokeweed Phytolacca americana
Pothos Epipremnum
Precatory bean Abrus precatorius
Pride of Madiera Echium candicans
Primula Primula
Prince of Wales Codiaeum variegatum
Princess Mary Codiaeum variegatum
Privet Ligustrum
Purge nut Jatropha curcas

R

Common name Botanical name
Rhaphidophora Rhaphidophora
Rhubarb Rheum
Rhus Toxicodendron succedaneum
River poison tree Excoecaria agallocha
Rosary pea Abrus precatorius
Rosary tree Melia azedarach

S

Common name Botanical name
Sago palm Cycas
Scarlet Rhus Toxicodendron succedaneum
Sea mango Cerbera manghas
Sheena’s gold Duranta erecta, Duranta repens
Silky oak Grevillea robusta
Sky flower Duranta erecta, Duranta repens
Slipper flower Euphorbia tithymaloides
Snow-on-the-mountain Euphorbia marginata
Snowflake Euphorbia leucocephala
Snows of Kilimanjaro Euphorbia leucocephala
Solitary fishtail palm Caryota
Stinging nettles Urtica urens, Urtica incisa
Stinging trees Dendrocnide
Stinkhorn fungi Aseroe rubra, Phallus rubicundus and others
Sumach Toxicodendron succedaneum
Sweet pea Lathyrus odoratus
Swiss-cheese plant Monstera deliciosa
Syngonium Syngonium

T

Common name Botanical name
Tail flower Anthurium andraeanum
Taro Colocasia
Tartan Codiaeum variegatum
Tobacco Nicotiana tabacum
Tree datura Brugmansia
Tree zamia Cycas
Trumpet flower Solandra maxima
Tulip cedar Melia azedarach

W

Common name Botanical name
Wax tree Toxicodendron succedaneum
White arum lily Zantedeschia aethiopica
White butterfly Syngonium
White cedar Melia azedarach
White oleander Nerium oleander
Wild passionfruit Passiflora
Wild pineapple Macrozamia
Willow-leaved jessamine Cestrum parqui
Winter cherry Solanum pseudocapsicum
Wintersweet Acokanthera oblongifolia

Y

Common name Botanical name
Yellow allamanda Allamanda
Yellow oleander Cascabela
Yellow staining mushroom Agaricus xanthodermus, Agaricus placomyces, Agaricus moelleri
Yesterday, today and tomorrow Brunfelsia australis

Z

Common name Botanical name
Zamia Macrozamia
Zanzibar gem Zamioculcas zamiifolia
Zigzag plant Euphorbia tithymaloides

Browse by botanical name

A

Botanical name Common name
Abrus precatorius Crab’s eye, Gidee-gidee, Jequirity bean, Precatory bean, Rosary pea
Acalypha hispida Chenille plant
Acalypha wilkesiana Copperleaf, Jacob’s coat, Beefsteak plant, Fire bush, Fijian fire plant
Acokanthera oblongifolia Wintersweet, Bushman’s poison
Adenium obesum Desert rose
Agapanthus praecox Agapanthus
Agaricus moelleri Yellow staining mushroom
Agaricus placomyces Yellow staining mushroom
Agaricus xanthodermus Yellow staining mushroom
Aleurites moluccanus Candle nut
Allamanda Yellow allamanda, Golden trumpet, Bush allamanda, Pink allamanda
Alocasia brisbanensis, Alocasia macrorrhizos Cunjevoi
Alstroemeria Peruvian lily
Anthurium andraeanum Flamingo flower,  Flamingo lily, Tail flower
Aseroe rubra, Phallus rubicundus and others Stinkhorn fungi
Asparagus Asparagus fern

B

Botanical name Common name
Brugmansia Angel’s trumpet, Tree datura
Brunfelsia australis Yesterday, today and tomorrow

C

Botanical name Common name
Caladium Caladium,  Angel's wings
Capsicum frutescens Bird pepper,  Chilli pepper
Caryota Fishtail palm, Solitary fishtail palm, Clustered fishtail palm
Cascabela Be-still tree, Cook tree, Dicky plant, Lucky nut, Yellow oleander
Castanospermum australe Black bean, Moreton Bay chestnut
Catharanthus roseus Periwinkle (pink or white)
Cerbera manghas Sea mango
Cestrum nocturnum Lady of the night, Night blooming jessamine
Cestrum parqui Cestrums, Chilean cestrum, Green cestrum, Green poisonberry, Iodine bush, Willow-leaved jessamine
Chlorophyllum molybdites Green-spored parasol
Codiaeum variegatum Baronne de Rothschild, Codiaeum, Goldfinger, Joseph’s Coat, Mortii, Norwood beauty, Prince of Wales, Princess Mary, Tartan
Colocasia Dasheen, Elephant ears, Taro
Cycas Cycads, Sago palm, Tree zamia

D

Botanical name Common name
Datura metel Hairy thornapple 
Datura stramonium Common thornapple
Dendrocnide Giant stinging tree, Gimpie gimpie, Stinging trees
Dianella Blue flax lily
Dieffenbachia Dieffenbachia, Dumbcane
Digitalis purpurea Foxglove
Duranta erecta, Duranta repens Aussie gold, Duranta, Geisha girl, Golden dewdrop, Sheena’s gold, Sky flower

E

Botanical name Common name
Echium candicans Pride of Madiera
Epipremnum Pothos
Euphorbia lactea Candelabra cactus
Euphorbia leucocephala Snowflake, Snows of Kilimanjaro
Euphorbia marginata Snow-on-the-mountain
Euphorbia milii Crown-of-thorns
Euphorbia peplus Petty spurge
Euphorbia pulcherrima Poinsettia
Euphorbia tirucalli Malabar tree, Naked lady, Pencil tree
Euphorbia tithymaloides Lady’s slipper, Slipper flower, Zigzag plant
Excoecaria agallocha Blind-your-eye, Milky mangrove, River poison tree

G

Botanical name Common name
Gloriosa superba Glory lilly
Grevillea Grevillea Robyn Gordon
Grevillea robusta Silky oak

H

Botanical name Common name
Hippeastrum Amaryllis, Hippeastrum
Hydrangea macrophylla Hydrangea

I

Botanical name Common name
Iris Iris

J

Botanical name Common name
Jatropha curcas Barbados nut, Curcas bean, Physic nut, Purge nut
Jatropha gossypiifolia Bellyache bush, Cotton-leaf physic nut
Jatropha multifida Coral plant
Jatropha podagrica Gout plant, Gout stick, Guatemala rhubarb

L

Botanical name Common name
Lantana camara Lantana
Lathyrus odoratus Sweet pea
Lepidozamia hopei Pineapple zamia
Lepidozamia peroffskyana Burrawang palm
Ligustrum Privet
Lonicera japonica Japanese honeysuckle

M

Botanical name Common name
Macrozamia Wild pineapple, Zamia
Mangifera indica Mango
Melia azedarach Bead tree, Cape lilac, Chinaberry, Karabil, Persian lilac, Rosary tree, Tulip cedar, White cedar
Monstera deliciosa Ceriman, Fruit salad plant, Swiss-cheese plant

N

Botanical name Common name
Narcissus Daffodils
Nerium oleander Oleander, Oleander rose laurel, Pink oleander, White oleander
Nicotiana tabacum Tobacco

P

Botanical name Common name
Panaeolina foenisecii Haymaker's mushroom
Passiflora Wild passionfruit
Philodendron Philodendron
Phytolacca americana Pokeweed
Phytolacca octandra Inkweed
Plumbago auriculata Plumbago
Plumbago zeylanica Plumbago zeylanica
Plumeria Frangipani
Primula Primula

R

Botanical name Common name
Rhaphidophora Rhaphidophora
Rheum Rhubarb
Ricinus communis Castor bean, Castor oil plant, Palma christi

S

Botanical name Common name
Schinus molle Molle, Pepper tree, Pepperina
Schinus terebinthifolius Brazilian pepper tree, Broad-leaved pepper tree
Scleroderma Earth balls
Solandra maxima Chalice vine, Golden cup, Trumpet flower
Solanum nigrum, Solanum americanum Blackberry nightshade, Common nightshade, Glossy nightshade
Solanum pseudocapsicum Jerusalem cherry, Madeira winter cherry, Winter cherry
Solanum seaforthianum Brazilian nightshade
Spathiphyllum Madonna lily, Peace lily
Symphytum officinale Comfrey
Synadenium grantii African milk bush
Syngonium Arrowhead vine, Syngonium, White butterfly

T

Botanical name Common name
Toxicodendron succedaneum Japanese wax tree, Poison sumach, Rhus, Scarlet Rhus, Sumach, Wax tree

U

Botanical name Common name
Urtica urens, Urtica incisa Stinging nettles

W

Botanical name Common name
Wisteria floribunda, Wisteria sinensis Japanese wisteria

Z

Botanical name Common name
Zamioculcas zamiifolia Zanzibar gem
Zantedeschia aethiopica Calla lily, White arum lily, Arum lily

Last updated: May 2024