The response to our first app ‘Useful Nova Scotia Plants’ has been overwhelmingly positive. We decided to follow up with the opposite - Harmful Nova Scotia Plants. Selection of the included species was based on The Poison Plant Patch, a website I helped create in 1994. We broadened the selection to include 10 years of inquiries as received by the IWK Poison Centre in Halifax. Not all are the result of actual poisoning cases. In looking at the list, there are a number of known invasive species. There are just as many plants listed that provide mind-altering substances. These are worldwide in scope. In a digital age, it is relatively easy to source products in other countries.

Three in particular come to mind: kratom-thai, ibogaine and woodrose. The potential consumer should be aware of the dangers of importing these substances. Not all are legal here, nor are the active ingredients expressly stated. Caveat emptor, let the buyer beware. Plant poisons are amongst the most toxic substances known.

There are several categories of poisonings: ingestion, inhalation or contact. Rather than organizing the plants in that manner, we have chosen to highlight the three areas one would likely encounter the plants: in the home as products or houseplants, in the wild and in the garden. There is overlap even at our latitude. Users in the west or in southeastern North America should consult regional floras to determine whether or not the plant grows or is cultivated in your area.

A substantial number on the list of possible plants were harmless to humans, but problematic for our companion animals. Dogs and cats may react to the same plants, but there are many more plants toxic to cats and not to dogs. Where known, we have included this information. But the entries are not complete for pets. Pet-parents should search some of the Kennel Club websites and Veterinarian Associations in their jurisdictions for medical concerns for pets and livestock.

We consider this app to be a work-in-progress. We hope you will find the information useful as a first step in recognizing plant hazards in your neighbourhood. Please know, neither Gordon nor I consider ourselves to be medical experts. Nor do we present this information to replace expert medical advice. We have created this app with the assistance of the staff at the IWK Poison Centre, Halifax, NS. They provided a list of plants and known category of poison.

Keep your children safe by educating them of the dangers of putting anything in their mouths that mom or dad has not suggested they eat. If wild-harvesting, be sure to reserve some of the plant fruit, leaves, flowers for later in case of adverse reaction. If you are not sure of the identity, do not eat it! We cannot stress this enough.

If you suspect you have been poisoned by consuming or contact with a plant….call the poison centre...9-1-1 in Nova Scotia or 902-470-8161. Be prepared to answer questions about the suspect plant. Taking photos is very helpful in determining the cause.