I know we all get flack about how evil our Brugs are because they are "deadly". Interestingly enough, is the fact that there are quite a few common in gardens plants that are just as toxic. I am providing a link to a University of California-Davis study. Some of the plants that are equally toxic are Pampas grass, apple seeds (as well as peach, pear, apricot, plum and loquat seeds) Hellbores, Carolina jessamine, daphne, lupines including Texas Blurbonnets, Fritillarias....and the list goes on.
So when you get the "How can you grow that?" questions and reproving looks, you can offer some examples of other plants...at least we know about our plants and their inherent dangers.
http://www.plantsciences.ucdavis.edu/ce/king/PoisPlant/Tox-SCI.htm
Brugmansia Toxicity
Here you go. Have a ball. Killer Plants.Com: http://www.killerplants.com/
Ever notice how many toxic plants are used in medicines? As Ben Franklin said, "All things in moderation, save moderation."
Even edible plant parts can be toxic if not processed properly. I once ate part of a raw yelow beet. A few bites was all it took for my throat to swell so much I coun't swallow and my throat felt like it was on fire. I learned later that raw beets contain oxalate pixels that irritate tissue.
Quite a few plants contain oxalates, Poke for instance. Taro also....doesn't take much to hurt either , right Betty? That is a terrifying experience to go through.Sorry that happened.
I really find the whole "evil, devil weed" mindset wearying. I thought it might be nice for a change to smile and tell them to be very careful when they eat their apple or slug down their ST John's Wort.
Most importantly though, it is good information to have on hand, just in case you get the urge to gnaw on a peach pit.