Notes on poisoning: Ailanthus altissima

General poisoning notes:

Tree-of-heaven (Ailanthus altissima) is an ornamental found in the warmest parts of Canada. Exposure to the leaves may have caused dermatitis in humans and it is suspected of being a poisonous plant as well. However, convincing documentation of poisoning is lacking. The tree has been suspected of causing gastroenteritis. (Muenscher 1975, Mitchell and Rook 1979).

References:

Mitchell, J. C., Rook, A. 1979. Botanical dermatology. Greenglass Ltd, Vancouver, B.C., Canada. 787 pp.

Muenscher, W. C. 1975. Poisonous plants of the United States. Revised. Collier Books, New York, N.Y., USA. 277 pp.

Perkins, K. D., Payne, W. W. 1978. Guide to the poisonous and irritant plants of Florida. Univ. Fla. Agric. Ext. Serv. Circ., 441. 84 pp.

Nomenclature:

Scientific Name: Ailanthus altissima (Mill.) Swingle

Vernacular name(s): tree-of-heaven

Scientific family name: Simaroubaceae

Vernacular family name: quassia

Go to ITIS*^ca for more taxonomic information on: Ailanthus altissima

References:

Agriculture Quebec. 1975. Noms des maladies des plantes du Canada/ Names of plant diseases in Canada. , Quebec City, Que., Canada. 288 pp.

Alex, J. F., Cayouette, R., Mulligan, G. A. 1980. Common and botanical names of weeds in Canada/Noms populaire et scientifiques des plantes nuisibles du Canada. Revised. Agric. Can. Publ., Ottawa, Ont., Canada. 132 pp.

Bailey, L. H., Bailey, E. Z. 1976. Hortus third. Revised. MacMillan, New York, N.Y., USA. 1290 pp.

Scoggan, H. J. 1978, 1979. The flora of Canada. Nat. Mus. Nat. Sci. (Ottawa) Publ. Bot. 7(1)-7(4). 1711 pp.

Van Wijk, H. L. 1911. A dictionary of plant names. Martinus Nijhoff, The Hague, The Netherlands. 1444 pp.

Victorin, M. 1964. Flore Laurentienne. 2nd ed. Univ. Montreal, Montreal, Que., Canada. 952 pp.

Geographic Information

Plant or plant parts used in or around the home.

References:

Bailey, L. H., Bailey, E. Z. 1976. Hortus third. Revised. MacMillan, New York, N.Y., USA. 1290 pp.

Boivin, B. 1966, 1967. Énumération des plantes du Canada. Provencheria 6. Nat. Can. (Que.) 93: 253-274; 371-437; 583-646; 989-1063. 94: 131-157; 471-528; 625-655.

Image or illustration

Images: images.google.com

Toxic parts:

flowers
leaves

References:

Muenscher, W. C. 1975. Poisonous plants of the United States. Revised. Collier Books, New York, N.Y., USA. 277 pp.

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:

References:

Mitchell, J. C., Rook, A. 1979. Botanical dermatology. Greenglass Ltd, Vancouver, B.C., Canada. 787 pp.