TOXIC PLANTS AND CYANIDE - Cyanide Poisoning from Apples, Peaches, Cherries, Plums, etc. - Leaves and other parts of cherries, peaches, plums, apricots, almonds can be toxic if ingested. That's true of other members of the rose family as well (large family which includes roses, but also apples and pears). The plants produce cyanogenic glycosides which can lead to cyanide poisoning in people and animals if enough of the compound is ingested. Some leaves and wood contain relatively high levels of the cyanogenic compounds. Seeds and pits from these plants also contain the compounds, though you need to chew several of the seeds to get a dangerous exposure. If you swallow the odd seed or two, don't be concerned. Your body is well-equipped to detoxify low doses of cyanide. However, consult poison control if you suspect your child or pet (or farm animal) has eaten several seeds.

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Toxic Plants and Cyanide

Cyanide Poisoning from Apples, Peaches, Cherries, Plums, etc.

by Anne Marie Helmenstine, Ph.D. 

The weather is nice, so I was out looking at trees and shrubs to add to my garden.

I noticed the tags on trees from the Prunus genus (cherries, peaches, plums, apricots, almonds) carried the warning that the leaves and other parts of the plant can be toxic if ingested.

That's true of other members of the rose family as well (large family which includes roses, but also apples and pears).

The plants produce cyanogenic glycosides which can lead to cyanide poisoning in people and animals if enough of the compound is ingested.

Some leaves and wood contain relatively high levels of the cyanogenic compounds.

Seeds and pits from these plants also contain the compounds, though you need to chew several of the seeds to get a dangerous exposure.

(This Letter to the Editor of American Family Physician cites references for fatalities from apple seeds and apricot kernels, in addition to other plants.)

If you swallow the odd seed or two, don't be concerned. Your body is well-equipped to detoxify low doses of cyanide. 

However, consult poison control if you suspect your child or pet (or farm animal) has eaten several seeds. 

If you're out camping and want sticks for roasting hotdogs and marshmallows, avoid using twigs from these plants.

Anne Marie Helmenstine, Ph.D.

Introduction

Ph.D. in biomedical sciences from the University of Tennessee at Knoxville - Oak Ridge National Laboratory.

Science educator with experience teaching chemistry, biology, astronomy, and physics at the high school, college, and graduate levels.

ThoughtCo and About Education chemistry expert since 2001.

Widely-published graphic artist, responsible for printable periodic tables and other illustrations used in science.

Experience

Anne Helmenstine, Ph.D. has covered chemistry for ThoughtCo and About Education since 2001, and other sciences since 2013. She taught chemistry, biology, astronomy, and physics at the high school, college, and graduate levels. She has worked as a research scientist and also abstracting and indexing diverse scientific literature for the Department of Energy.

In addition to her work as a science writer, Dr. Helmenstine currently serves as a scientific consultant, specializing in problems requiring an interdisciplinary approach. Previously, she worked as a research scientist and college professor. 

Education

Dr. Helmenstine holds a Ph.D. in biomedical sciences from the University of Tennessee at Knoxville and a B.A. in physics and mathematics with a minor in chemistry from Hastings College. In her doctoral work, Dr. Helmenstine developed ultra-sensitive chemical detection and medical diagnostic tests.

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https://www.thoughtco.com/cyanide-poisoning-from-fruit-3976045