Poisonous Plants of Georgia
	The Herbarium of the University of Georgia, Athens, Georgia

	Common Name: Scientific Name: Potato Solanum tuberosum L.
				Family: Solanaceae
			Click on the photos to enlarge images and read a scientific description. This plant may be poisonous to both humans and animals. Please refer to the "Symptoms" section below for information regarding susceptiblity of animal species to poisoning.
		Description: This plant is an annual sprawling herb that is cultivated for its stem, the potato that many of us eat. The plant may be up to 3 ft long. The leaves are over 6 in in length and 3 in wide. The flowers are pale lavender to white in color. Toxic Part: The entire plant is considered toxic especially the sprouts, flowers, leaves, and green skins of the tubers. Without the green skins the tubers are edible. Toxin: The toxins are the glycoalkaloids, a-solanine and a - chaconine. Symptoms: Reported symptoms in humans include headache, drowsiness, oral irritation, vomiting, epigastric pain, general weakness and diarrhea. Gastrointestinal inflammation has also been reported. In fatal cases the victims became semi-comatose several hours prior to death. Treatment: Treatment is usually focused on relieving symptoms of intoxication. The use ofatropine and physostigmine may be partially protective. References: 5, 24, 37, 63, 81, 105, 125, 140 This site is NOT a substitute for the advice of medical physician. Plant poisonings can, in certain cases, result in SERIOUS HARM AND EVEN DEATH. Please contact a physician or your local poison control center if you suspect any plant poisoning. A link to the Georgia Poison Control Center can be found on the "References and Links" page of this site.