Oleander

where: yards, highway medians, mediterranean climates, all over the southern US and california

toxic part: ALL parts including the flowers, sap, smoke from burning

what happens: cardiac glycosides (oleandrin) stop your heart. nausea, vomiting, irregular heartbeat, then cardiac arrest. just ONE LEAF can kill an adult

timeline: symptoms in hours, death in 12-24 hours if untreated

antidote: digoxin-specific antibody fragments (Digibind), but you need a hospital fast

common mistake: kids putting flowers in their mouth, people using branches as skewers for hot dogs (multiple documented deaths), burning trimmings (smoke is toxic too)

emergency: poison control (1-800-222-1222) + ER immediately