Most toxifications result from ingestion of the attractive red berries by children. Drinking of the vase water has also caused poisoning. Serious poisoning is rare, vomiting limits the adsorption of the toxins. Mistletoe is a partial parasite growing on many types of trees. Interestingly its toxicity varies upon the tree it grows on.
Children sometimes eat the berries leading to mild to severe stomach ache.
Reactions following mistletoe ingestion are very variable, serious toxifications are rare but even fatal poisonings have been reported both for human and pets. Poinsettia Euphorbia pulcherrima Used as Christmas decoration due to colourful leaves just beneath the small actual flowers. The milky sap, characteristic to the broad family of Euphorbiaceae contains poisonous diterpene esters that are persistent even when dried. Poinsettias are often mentioned to be highly toxic, however, the recent studies have failed to show toxic effects. It should nevertheless be kept in mind that toxicity of any substance is subject to dose.