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Rhododendron | Rhubarb | Spindle Tree | Spurges | Stinking Iris | Swan Plant

Rhododendron species and varieties. The tree-like, pink-flowered Rhododendron arboreum hybrids, common in much of the North Island, have poisonous flowers, and honey made from them is also toxic. However, all rhododendrons should be regarded as poisonous.

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Rhubarb (Rheum rhabarbarum). The leaf blades are poisonous on this common vegetable plant.

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Spindle Tree (Euonymus europaeus). The pink fruits with their orange seeds are attractive but poisonous, as are all parts of the tree. It is the spindle berries that are most likely to be eaten.

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Spurges (Euphorbia species). All species are poisonous. The milky sap can burn the delicate lining of the mouth [see also the unrelated swan plants]. Beware especially of caper spurge (E. lathyris) which should not be confused with true edible capers. Note: not all plants with milky sap are poisonous, for example, the unrelated dandelions Taraxacum species) which are harmless.

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Stinking iris (Iris foetidissima). Many irises are poisonous but the main parts likely to be eaten in this species are the prominent orange seeds, a feature lacking in other irises.

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Swan plants (Gomphocarpus fruticosus and G. physocarpus). These two shrubby plants are so similar that they can be regarded as the same for all practical purposes. Like all members of the asclepias family the tissues are full of poisonous white milky latex, so even the bladder-like fruits should not be eaten.

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