Mountain Laurel

Toxicity

Mountain laurel is poisonous to several different animals due to andromedotoxin and arbutin[10], including horses,[11] goats, cattle, sheep,[12] deer,[13] and monkeys and humans.[14] It is not toxic to dogs, cats, or small household pets.[citation needed] The green parts of the plant, flowers, twigs, and pollen are all toxic,[14] including food products made from them, such as honey.[15][14] Symptoms of toxicity begin to appear about 6 hours following ingestion.[12][14] Symptoms include[14] irregular or difficulty breathing, anorexia, repeated swallowing, profuse salivation, watering of the eyes and nose, cardiac distress, incoordination, depression, vomiting, frequent defecation, weakness, convulsions,[10] paralysis,[10] coma, and eventually death. Autopsy will show gastrointestinal irritation and hemorrhage.[14]