Plant Definitions

Term	Definition
Non-toxic	Ingestion of small amounts of this plant is unlikely to produce any ill effects.
Skin Irritant	Handling this plant or sap of this plant may produce irritation to the skin. Contact the poison control center for assistance.
Stomach irritant	Ingestion of this plant may cause upset stomach. Contact the poison control center for assistance.
Poisonous	This plant is poisonous. Ingestion of this plant may result in ill effects. Contact the local poison control center for assistance.
Animal exposures	Pets and other animals may not react the same as humans to plants. Plants that are non-toxic for humans may cause ill effects to animals.
Mushrooms	The UPCC does not advocate eating wild mushrooms. Many poisonous mushrooms look like edible varieties of mushrooms. For some mushrooms the only way to distinguish an edible and poisonous mushroom is through chemical tests. Therefore, the only safe and reliable place to obtain edible mushrooms is through a grocer.
Native plant	A plant which grows naturally in a particular region. Weeds are often considered native plants.
Cultivated plant	A plant which is introduced into a yard or garden. Plants purchased at a nursery will often be called cultivated plants. NOTE: Native plants can sometimes be cultivated.
Houseplant	A plant grown or kept indoors.
Flower	The part of a seed plant that normally bears reproductive organs.
Leaf	The outgrowth from a plant stem that is flattened and functions in food manufacture. Examples of leaf shapes include:
Fruit	The reproductive body of a seed plant. Berries are examples of fruits.
Bark	The tough outer covering of a woody root or stem.
Bulb	The fleshy, rounded underground portion of certain plants.