English holly-Ilex aquifolium L.-Poisonous plant

English holly

General poisoning notes:

English holly (Ilex aquifolium) has been implicated in cases where children have eaten the berries. Kingsbury (1969) noted that the often- quoted fatal dosage of 20-30 berries comes from European literature before 1889 and that this quantity has not been confirmed. Modern references show that symptoms are usually confined to vomiting and diarrhea (Cooper and Johnson 1984, Lampe and McCann 1985). This holly is used as an outdoor ornamental, and the glossy green leaves and red berries may be sold as Christmas decorations.

Nomenclature:

Scientific Name: Ilex aquifolium L.

Vernacular name(s): English holly

Scientific family name: Aquifoliaceae

Vernacular family name: holly

Geographic Information

British Columbia

Toxic parts:

Mture fruit

Notes on Toxic plant chemicals:

Ilicin, a glycoside, has been implicated as the toxic substance in in holly berries (Rodrigues et al. 1984). A cyanogenic glycoside, (2-beta-D-glucopyranosyloxy-p-hydroxy-6,7-dihydromandelonitrile) has also been isolated from the berries of English holly. The chemical also occurs in lower concentrations in the leaves and stems. A common name for this chemical has not been established yet (Willems 1988).

Toxic plant chemicals:

-dihydromandelonitrile
ilicin

Animals/Human Poisoning:

Note: When an animal is listed without additional information, the literature (as of 1993) contained no detailed explanation.

Humans

General symptoms of poisoning:

Diarrhea, nausea, vomiting.

Notes on poisoning:

Symptoms include multiple episodes of vomiting, nausea, and diarrhea. If a large number of berries are ingested, vomiting should be induced with an emetic. Conservative management is generally adequate (Cooper and Johnson 1984, Lampe and McCann 1985).