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Grayanotoxins Aren’t That Dangerous, But a Sweet Treat For The Writer.
Rhododendrons and azaleas are plants that contain grayanotoxins.
Grayanotoxins are the toxins responsible for Rhododendron's poisonous effects. They are found in the nectar, flowers, leaves, fruit, twigs, and stems.
Both rhododendrons and azaleas are considered grayanotoxin plants. Azaleas are less toxic than rhododendrons.
Fatalities in humans are rare, but they will have symptoms that the writer can use.
Poisoning from honey made from the nectar of rhododendrons is called “mad honey poisoning.” The toxic nectar is mainly from Turkey's eastern Black Sea area, but the honey can be bought and brought to North America.
Toxic Dose
Children have developed toxic symptoms from sucking nectar and eating flowers or leaves.
5–30 grams of honey from Rhododendrons can cause toxicity.
Ingestion of 1–4 seed pods or green buds has caused symptoms.
One rhododendron flower ingestion has caused minor symptoms. Small ingestions have not produced severe toxicity.
The tolerated dose may be higher with azaleas, but the data are insufficient.
