Poisonous & Toxic Species
Never touch, taste, or consume any species you cannot positively identify. This guide is for educational purposes only. When in doubt, consult a local expert. Use the iNature app for quick AI-powered identification in the field.
Greater Water-parsnip
Sium latifolium L.
Sium latifolium is a perennial wet-growing Apiaceae herb native to Europe, Kazakhstan, and Siberia, with human culinary uses.
water parsnip
Sium suave Walter
Sium suave, or water parsnip, is a wetland native flowering plant to North America and Asia with edible and medicinal uses.
golden chalice vine
Solandra maxima (Moc. & Sessé) P.S.Green
Solandra maxima is a fast-growing poisonous climbing vine, often pruned into a shrub in cultivation.
Dwarf Tamarillo
Solanum abutiloides (Griseb.) Bitter & Lillo
Solanum abutiloides, the dwarf tamarillo, is a solanaceous endemic of Argentina and Bolivia, usually grown as an ornamental.
American black nightshade
Solanum americanum Mill.
Solanum americanum Mill. is an herbaceous plant containing multiple toxins, with toxic effects on humans and livestock, that is also used as folk medicine.
New Zealand nightshade
Solanum aviculare G.Forst.
Solanum aviculare is an erect flowering shrub native to Australia, New Zealand and New Guinea, with various traditional and commercial uses.
bitter-apple
Solanum campylacanthum Hochst. ex A.Rich.
Solanum campylacanthum is a common poisonous flowering nightshade widespread across African grasslands, savannas and woodlands.
Carolina horsenettle
Solanum carolinense L.
Solanum carolinense L. is a perennial weedy subshrub with potato-scented leaves and tomato-like toxic fruits.
Narrawa burr
Solanum cinereum R.Br.
Solanum cinereum (Narrawa burr) is a spiny poisonous Australian shrub considered a farmland weed.
Chilean potato vine
Solanum crispum Ruiz & Pav.
Solanum crispum is a semi-evergreen climbing flowering plant from Chile and Peru, grown as a garden ornamental.
twoleaf nightshade
Solanum diphyllum L.
Solanum diphyllum, or twoleaf nightshade, is a poisonous small shrub native to Central America, often cultivated as an ornamental.
greenspot nightshade
Solanum douglasii Dunal
Solanum douglasii is a perennial herb or subshrub native to northern Mexico and southwestern south-central US, with historic uses by Native American groups.
bittersweet nightshade
Solanum dulcamara L.
Solanum dulcamara L. (woody nightshade) is a poisonous Eurasian vine with documented, caution-advised medicinal uses.
silverleaf nightshade
Solanum elaeagnifolium Cav.
Solanum elaeagnifolium Cav., or silverleaf nightshade, is a toxic perennial noxious weed found globally across warm regions.
potato tree
Solanum erianthum D.Don
Solanum erianthum D.Don, or potatotree, is a flowering evergreen shrub/small tree with medicinal uses, native to the Americas and introduced elsewhere.
waxy-leaved nightshade
Solanum glaucophyllum Desf.
Solanum glaucophyllum, or waxyleaf nightshade, is a toxic Solanaceae plant native to South America that produces vitamin D.
kangaroo-apple
Solanum laciniatum Aiton
Solanum laciniatum Aiton is a short-lived perennial shrub native to Australia and New Zealand, used for food and medicine.
lanceleaf nightshade
Solanum lanceolatum Cav.
Solanum lanceolatum (orangeberry nightshade) is a toxic South American nightshade, grown ornamentally and invasive as a noxious weed in California.
potato vine
Solanum laxum Spreng.
Solanum laxum, jasmine-flowered nightshade, is a woody climbing ornamental plant that is toxic if ingested.
Yellow Bitter-apple
Solanum linnaeanum Hepper & P.-M.L.Jaeger
Solanum linnaeanum is a poisonous nightshade species native to Africa that is invasive in many other regions.
Jerusalem cherry
Solanum pseudocapsicum L.
Solanum pseudocapsicum is a mildly poisonous perennial nightshade grown decoratively, considered a weed in some regions.
Brazilian Nightshade
Solanum seaforthianum Andrews
Solanum seaforthianum (Brazilian nightshade) is an invasive mildly toxic evergreen vine native to tropical South America.
Cutleaf Nightshade
Solanum triflorum Nutt.
Solanum triflorum Nutt. is an annual toxic herb with deeply cut leaves native to disturbed areas.
bluewitch nightshade
Solanum umbelliferum Eschsch.
Solanum umbelliferum, bluewitch nightshade, is a toxic North American nightshade that grows after fire disturbances.
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