UC ANR is committed to providing an accessible and inclusive web experience for all users. If you encounter an accessibility barrier or need content in an alternative or remediated accessible format, please contact anraccessibility@ucanr.edu.
Scientific Name: Erythrina spp. Common Name: Coral Tree Thorns/Spines? How is this plant unsafe? How do you plant safely? No Seeds are poisonous if ingested. Supervise pets and children playing near this plant.
Scientific Name: Eschscholzia californica Common Name: California Poppy Thorns/Spines? How is this plant unsafe? How do you plant safely? No Entire plant is toxic if ingested. Supervise pets and children playing near this plant.
Scientific Name: Euphorbia characias Common Name: Dome Euphorbia, Mediterranean Spurge Thorns/Spines? How is this plant unsafe? How do you plant safely? No Sap is irritating and can be toxic if one gets it on exposed skin such as bare hands or eyes.
Scientific Name: Euphorbia milii Common Name: Crown of Thorns Thorns/Spines? How is this plant unsafe? How do you plant safely? Yes Sap is irritating and can be toxic if one gets it on exposed skin such as bare hands or eyes. It also has spines that may not be obvious.
Scientific Name: Euphorbia myrsinites Common Name: Creeping Spurge Thorns/Spines? How is this plant unsafe? How do you plant safely? No Sap is irritating and can be toxic if one gets it on exposed skin such as bare hands or eyes.
With the longstanding drought facing California, water-wise, sustainable gardening has become very popular. As gardeners remove their thirsty lawns and water-loving plants, they may unknowingly replace them with toxic or harmful plants.
Scientific Name Photo Thorns/ Spines Poisonous Notes 1. Achillea millefolium No In rare cases, yarrow can cause severe allergic skin rashes; prolonged exposure can increase the skin's photosensitivity.
Download Our Print Materials Tri-Fold Brochure Bookmark Video Books Poisonous Plants of California. Fuller, Thomas C. and Elizabeth McClintock, 1986. Berkeley: University of California Press. Handbook of Poisonous and Injurious Plants, 2nd Ed.
Tips for Planting Safely in Your Garden A gardener wearing rose gauntlet gloves (sleeves tucked into gloves) eye protection, long sleeves, long plants and sturdy shoes. Teach children to not put any part of a plant in their mouth without checking with an adult first.
