New Zealand's great outdoors is populated by plants which can
cause harm if eaten, leading to a stinging mouth, sore stomachs,
vomiting, itchy and painful skin or more serious poisoning. The
National Poisons Centre has analysed more than 11,000 inquiries
it received after people came into contact with or ate poisonous
plants and fungi. Many of the most commonly inquired-about
plants - such as kowhai and arum lily - cause only mild symptoms
such as an upset stomach or burning mouth. But a handful,
including foxglove and oleander, require immediate medical
treatment if eaten. Dr Leo Schep, a toxicologist at the poisons
centre, said calls were mostly made after young children ate
plants. Parents should learn the plants in their garden or
neighbourhood, he said, and avoid or get rid of potentially
poisonous ones. The bright yellow of daffodils - which contain
toxic alkaloids - were too appealing for 56 children and 28
adults, the centre's records for 2003-2010 show. The flower
itself would cause only vomiting, bu