Poisonous Seeds
If your child has swallowed something that you suspect might be poisonous, call the Poison Control Center at 1-800-222-1222.
The most commonly found poisonous seeds in the mid-Atlantic region include:
Four O'Clock
Four o’clock is a bush, generally 1- to 2-feet high, with red or yellow flowers. It blooms in the summer and forms seeds that are round or pointed in shape. The seeds can cause stomach upset and cramping.
Foxglove
Foxglove is a low-growing bushy plant that forms a tall stalk with bell-shaped flowers. The flowers can be any shade of pink, peach, white or yellow. They have brown spots. All parts of the foxglove are poisonous and can cause changes in the rate and rhythm of the heart.
Jack-in-the-Pulpit
Jack-in-the-pulpit is found in woody areas. The pitcher-shaped wild flower develops a stalk with a cluster of seeds at the top. Eating the seeds can cause mouth pain and discomfort.
Lily-of-the-Valley
Lily-of-the-valley is a popular plant that grows from a bulb in the spring. It blooms with little white bell-shaped flowers on a short stalk. Bright orange seeds appear in both summer and fall. Eating more than three berries can affect your heart rate.
Morning Glory
Morning glory is a decorative vine with rose, purple or white trumpet-shaped flowers. In the fall, the flowers become round, brown capsules with two or three black seeds. Eating the seeds may cause drowsiness and confusion.
Sweet Peas
A sweet pea is an ornamental vine with bean-like pods. Eating the peas repeatedly may cause muscle weakness and difficulty breathing.
