Open hours

Monday – Saturday : 8am – 5pm

Poisonous Plant Garden

Our garden exists to educate both professional veterinary students as well at the general public how to recognize poisonous plants.

flowering plant

Learn about the plants

Download a handout to learn about the current plants in our garden.

Poisonous Plant Garden sign

Support the garden

Click here to make an online contribution in support of the garden.

Garden

Schedule a tour

Schedule a tour of the garden.
Fill out the form below.

About the Garden

The garden exists primarily to educate our professional veterinary students so that they will be knowledgeable regarding toxic plant identification and better able to clinically manage potential plant poisonings in animals. However, through pre-arranged tours we are happy to also accommodate other student or public groups who desire more knowledge in this area.

The garden is managed by 1-2 students selected yearly for a 2 year period (2-3 total students) of service and a college faculty advisor. These students provide all of the planning and labor required for yearly spring plantings and garden renovation, management through the summer, and then final Fall cleanup and transfer of many plants to the university greenhouses for overwintering. Over the years, those student curators’ energy, dedication and enthusiasm have been the hallmark and primary force behind the garden’s success and service to students and the general public. Those students are listed below.

UI POISONOUS PLANT GARDEN STUDENT CURATORS

Founding Student Curator: Paula Bratich

Dr. Tessa Marshall

Dr. Tessa Marshall

College Faculty Advisor

Rose Peters

Dr. Rose Peters

College Faculty Advisor

Kelly Giles

Senior Curator

Learn more about the garden

Please do not handle or consume any parts of plants in the garden. In order to keep children and pets safe while in the garden, be sure they remain under strict adult supervision.

When a poisonous plant is consumed by a child or pet you should:

  1. Obtain a sample including all parts of the plant.
  2. Estimate the quantity eaten.
  3. Estimate frequency and duration of exposure, and time of onset and nature of clinical signs.
  4. Contact a physician or veterinarian immediately (see RESOURCES).

NOTE: The toxic effects of plants vary with the health status, age, and species of the individual(s) affected. Time of year, humidity, growth conditions, and growth stage, among other factors, influence a plant’s toxicity.

*Some plants can be viewed only during certain times of the year because of their unique life cycles. In a few instances, listed plants are temporarily unavailable, but will be re-established in the near future.

Schedule a tour today!

Schedule a tour today!

The garden is located north of the College of Veterinary Medicine just off St. Mary’s Road.

Donors

As a veterinary professional student activity, the progress and maintenance of the garden is primarily made possible through donations of money, seeds, plants, equipment, supplies, time and advice.

Or, you can also show your support by sending a check with your contribution to:
University of Illinois Foundation
Harker Hall
1305 West Green Street
Urbana, IL 61801

PLEASE NOTE ON THE LOWER LEFT OF YOUR CHECK THAT IT IS FOR THE UI POISONOUS PLANT GARDEN

Previous Contributors

Monetary Contributions

Gifts in kind, plants or supplies

Bella and Hope at the garden

Bella and Hope

2022 Student Curators

Resources

ASPCA

ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center

Veterinary Medicine Emergency Room

ILLINOIS POISON CENTER

Illinois Poison Control Center

Contact us

Questions, suggestions, scheduling a tour, and requests for additional information should be directed to:

Dr. Tessa Marshall, Faculty Advisor

Dr. Rose Peters, Faculty Advisor

Kelly Giles, Senior Curator