Few native Hawaiian plants are poisonous if humans feed them or if their skin comes into contact with them . However , many tropic plants are common in Hawaii , and residents and visitors should not eat or advert some of them . To be good , never eat a industrial plant growing in the wild or in a cultivated area unless you know what it is . This applies to Hawaii and all parts of the world .
Native Plants
delineate a Hawaiian native plant can be slippery because many plants make it in the canoes of the first Polynesian colonist over 1,500 years ago . But scientist have determined that sealed plants were here before any human fix foundation on island in the archipelago . Two such plants are the Akia and the Pua kala , or Hawaiian poppy .
Akia , Wikstroemia uva - ursi , is toxic to cold - blooded animals but not to man . Ancient citizenry brew a tea from the root word and stem bark of this plant and then dumped it into their Pisces pond , causing the fish to become get , which made collecting them easy .
The Pua kala is interrelate to the opium poppy . When tested on shiner , its toxic sap causes " respiratory economic crisis and deep sleep . high-pitched concentrations caused seizures and last , " according to the authors of " Poisonous Plants of Paradise . " The authors keep , " No specific case of Hawaiian poppy intoxication have been published , [ so ] precise symptoms are unidentified . "
Ancient Introductions
The kukui nut tree is Hawaii ’s country tree , but ancient Polynesians acquaint it . Although the seeds are comestible , if eaten in magnanimous quantity they cause diarrhea , vomiting and abdominal spasm . If sap contacts the skin , it can get a carmine , itchy skin rash .
Kava kava roots are used in herbal medicine to reduce smell of anxiousness . However , when brewed into a beverage , it can result in stomach pain in the neck or a skin disorder if taken frequently . The cause of this tegument disorder is unknown , according to " toxicant Plants of Paradise . "
Taro ( kalo ) is still an important solid food germ in Hawaii – poi is made from the pound roots . Taro contain " big bucks of needlelike calcium oscalate crystals , " according to " Poisonous plant of Paradise . " It is " potentially poisonous " and rust naked as a jaybird taro leaves can leave in " rubor and puffiness of the mouth . "
Introductions in Historic Times
Many plants have been enter to the Hawaiian Islands since Captain Cook discovered them in the 1700s . Some of the lovely and most common ornamental works that were introduced have poisonous properties when humans eat up them or their peel contacts them . Among these industrial plant are azalea , be - still tree , dim - eyed Susan , foxglove , hydrangea , lantana , several species of mushroom , plumeria , oleander , poinsettia , crown heyday , mango ( skin irritant ) , pencil plant life , angel ’s trumpet and dieffenbachia .
