VERBENACEAE

The Verbenaceae or verbena family comprises about 1000+ species of tropical herbs and shrubs. They have simple opposite leaves, quadrangular stems, small clustering flowers, and fruits in the shape of capsules or berries. Verbenaceae is closely related to the mint family (Lamiaceae), many species such as the lemon verbena (Aloysia citrodora) have strongly aromatic leaves.

Poisonous Verbenaceae species include the Lantana camara and golden dewdrop (Duranta erecta). L. camara is a neotropican shrub which has become invasive across the tropics. It has foul smelling leaves containing triterpene toxins called lantadenes. Lantana occasionally causes  poisoning to cattles. The lantadenes induce blockade of bile from liver (cholestasis), ultimately causing liver damage and death. The South American D. erecta is a woody shrub with showy lavender-like flowers and numerous golden yellow berries, it is widely cultivated as an ornamental plant. The attractive berries are sometimes consumed by pet dogs and cats with fatal consequences. The toxic principle of D. erecta is currently unknown to science. Duranta poisoning causes severe gastrointestinal irritation, followed by tetanic seizures. 

Golden dewdrop (Duranta erecta), flower.

Lantana camara.