Poisonous plants

As a resource to the community, the herbarium provides information regarding plants poisonous to humans, pets, and livestock.

In addition to the web-based resources listed below, we provide free identification of plants submitted either through an agent of the NC Cooperative Extension Service or directly to us.  If you have questions about whether a plant in your house, backyard, field, or pasture is poisonous, you can submit a sample either to your County Extension Agent or to the address below:

Herbarium (NCSC)
Department of Plant and Microbial Biology, Campus Box 7612
North Carolina State University
Raleigh, NC 27695-7612

Please complete a plant identification request form for each sample submitted.  Submission guidelines are included on the form.  Additional information on weed and plant disease identification or control requests can be found here.

In case of accidental ingestion or exposure to a poisonous plant, please contact the Carolina's Poison Center at 1-800-222-1222 [P.O. Box 32861, Charlotte, NC 28232-2861].

Web-based Poisonous Plant Resources

Poisonous Plants of North Carolina by Dr. A.B. Russell and collaborators (NC State University).

Plants Poisonous to Livestock and Pets in North Carolina by Drs. J.W. Hardin and C.F Brownie (NC State University)

Toxic Plant Information (NC Department of Health and Human Services)