There are many plants that are commonly found in gardens or vegetable patches that are toxic to animals, including wombats. There is a fairly large list of toxic plants; listed below are some of the more common ones that can be found in gardens which may affect wombats.

The flesh and seed of the avocado can be poisonous if consumed. Symptoms include diarrhoea, vomiting and laboured breathing.

See Rhododendron.

This algae is a food source for complex organisms, however under particular environmental conditions, for example hot temperatures, warm still water, drought and reduced water flows, the algae undergoes a enormous population explosion resulting in algal blooms which can kill an animal if consumed.

If Blue Green Algae contacts skin, the skin can become itchy and rashes may form. Lips can swell and eyes and ears can become irritated. If the infected water is swallowed, nausea, vomiting, abdominal pain and diarrhoea may be experienced. Liver problems can occur as can muscle weakness. The more Blue Green Algae swallowed the sicker the host becomes. Toxins from Blue Green Algae can be lethal.

The entire plant is poisonous if consumed. If the juice from the buttercup (ie: from the stem) is consumed it may severely injure the digestive system. The plant may also cause dermatitis.

Berries and leaves are poisonous if consumed. Signs of poisoning include gastrointestinal problems. The plant may also cause dermatitis if touched.

The bulbs of the daffodil are poisonous if consumed. Symptoms include nausea, vomiting, diarrhoea caused by the alkaloid toxins. The plant also causes dermatitis if touched.

All parts, particularly the berries and seeds are poisonous. Symptoms include gastro-intestinal and kidney upset. The plant may also cause dermatitis if touched.

The berries in Holly are poisonous if consumed. Symptoms include an upset stomach, tremors, seizures and loss of balance.

The plant and berries of the Honeysuckle bush are poisonous if consumed, although they are considered minimally toxic. Symptoms include vomiting, diarrhoea and lethargy.

The bulb is the main toxic part of the plant. Hyacinths poisoning is reported to cause vomiting and abdominal discomfort. Treatment includes emptying the stomach.

Affected animals may experience painful gastroenteritis, and diarrhoea which may be bloody. Hydrangea may contain cyanogenic glycoside hydrangin, but poisonings do not generally involve effects or clinical signs of typical cyanide poisoning. It should be noted that Hydrangea poisoning is rare, but it has been recorded that a horse was seriously poisoned after eating a single potted hydrangea.

Kikuyu poisoning is a severe and sometimes fatal condition of cattle, but the condition can also affect native animals. Outbreaks occur when animals graze kikuyu which is growing rapidly after recent rain or irrigation. These outbreaks appear more likely to occur after a prolonged dry spell and in paddocks which have been unstocked for some time. Signs of kikuyu poisoning include abdominal pain, depression, incoordination, aimless wandering, recumbency and eventual death. Drooling of saliva is also a characteristic feature of the condition. In the early stages or in mildly-affected animals, small quantities of thin, clear saliva are often drooled. Drooling becomes more pronounced as the disease progresses.

The major clinical effect of Lantana toxicosis is photosensitization, the onset of which often takes place in 1 to 2 days after consumption of a toxic dose (1% or more of animal’s body weight).

Jaundice is usually prominent and the animal can suffer from constipation. Other signs may include: sluggishness, weakness, and transient diarrhoea, which can sometimes be bloody. In acute cases, death occurs in 2 to 4 days. Subacute poisoning is more common and may result in death after 1 to 3 weeks of illness and weight loss.

Raw photosensitized surface areas are susceptible to invasions by blowfly maggots and bacteria. In severely affected cattle, lesions may appear at the muzzle, mouth, and nostrils. Ulceration may be present in the cheeks, tongue, and gums, while swelling, hardening, peeling of mucous membranes, and deeper tissues occur in the nostrils.

All parts of the plant are poisonous. Symptoms from poisoning include irregular heart beat and pulse accompanied by digestive upset and mental confusion.

All parts of the oleander shrub are extremely poisonous and can cause death. Even a small amount of the plant being eaten or sucked can be fatal.

Oleander poisoning affects the heart and produces severe digestive upset. The cardiovascular system can be affected causing seizures. Other signs of poisoning include abdominal pain, salivation, gum irritation, drowsiness, dilated pupils and slow, irregular pulse.

Treatment can rarely be given in time (before coma and death) and involves emptying the stomach.

All parts of the onion plant are considered poisonous. The poisoning occurs a few days after the pet has eaten the onion.

Poisoning causes haemolytic anaemia where the animal’s red blood cells burst while circulating in the body resulting in red urine. Kidneys can become enlarged and liver will degenerate. Other signs are diarrhoea, no interest in food and a dull and weak lethargic appearance.

While garlic also contains the toxic ingredient found in potato’s (thiosulphate), it seems that garlic is less toxic and large amounts would need to be eaten to cause illness.

All parts of the Philodendron shrub is poisonous if consumed. If any part of the Philodendron shrub is consumed it can cause diarrhoea. The plant can cause a burning sensation in mouth when eaten, so the poison rating is low.. It can also cause dermatitis reaction when touched.

The leaves, stem and sap are the poisonous parts of the Poinsettia, which is also known as the Christmas Bush, however the toxic rating is low.

Symptoms of poisoning include diarrhoea, abdominal cramps and delirium. The sap can cause irritation, and if rubbed in eyes - blindness. The plant can also cause dermatitis.

The leaves and immature fruit are considered toxic. Potatoes that have turned green can cause severe illness if consumed.

Potatoes have a high GI rating (see below) so the digestive throughput is very quick. Therefore potatoes have very little nutritional value for marsupials, particularly the Common Wombat who metabolises food slowly. Consequently food that is rated with a lower GI (and carbohydrate level) are better choices.

Glycemic index, abbreviated to GI, is a way of classifying carbohydrate foods according to their effect on blood glucose. Food with a high GI produces a quicker response in digestion and therefore food is stored (made into fat) or evacuated quickly. Foods with a low GI produce a lower response in digestion and therefore more nutrition and energy will be gained from the food.

Both the leaves and berries of Privet are toxic, however it is not a common poisoning. Symptoms of poisoning include vomiting and diarrhoea with blood, collapse and convulsions. Kidney failure and death have also been reported.

All parts of this plant contain toxic resins with the leaves being the most potent. Poisoning from consuming Rhododendron produces gastrointestinal irritation with some haemorrhage, secondary aspiration pneumonia, and sometimes renal tubular damage and mild liver degeneration.

Clinical signs usually appear within 6 hours of ingestion. Affected animals may experience anorexia, depression, acute digestive upset, hypersalivation, nasal discharge, epiphora, projectile vomiting, frequent defecation, and repeated attempts to swallow.

There also may be weakness, incoordination, paralysis of the limbs, stupor, and depression. Aspiration of vomit is common in ruminants and results in dyspnea and often death. Coma precedes death. Animals may remain sick for more than 2 days and gradually recover.

The leaves of rhubarb are toxic part of the plant, although the toxic level is classified as low. If large amounts of raw or cooked leaves are consumed it can cause convulsions, coma and in extreme cases, death.

Other signs of mild poisoning are staggering, trembling, breathing difficulties, weakness, diarrhoea, increased drinking and urinating.

All parts of this plant are poisonous. Poisoning from consuming any part of the Wisteria bush causes digestive upset caused by alkaloid toxins.

Symptoms include nausea, repeated vomiting, stomach pains, severe diarrhoea, dehydration. Severe poisoning can result in collapse.

PLEASE NOTE: This is not a complete list of poisonous plants.

The above information is an excerpt from A Guide to the Care of Common Wombats by Linda Dennis and Kim Rolls. To download a free version of this guide please visit www.fourthcrossingwildlife.com