Please, do not let kids eat the azaleas

DALLAS, July 9 (UPI) -- Many flowers commonly grown and displayed for their beauty are toxic if eaten and pose a threat to young children, especially toddlers, a U.S. expert says.

"Choose those beautiful yard plants carefully because some of them can be toxic if ingested," Dr. Kurt Kleinschmidt, a medical toxicologist and emergency medicine physician at the University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center in Dallas said in a statement.

"The joy of watching junior beginning to walk could be offset by a medical crisis if he eats those previously unreachable flowers."

Azaleas, caladiums, chrysanthemums, daffodils, hyacinth, hydrangea, iris, jonquils, morning glories, mums and periwinkles are all potentially harmful flowers if eaten by children.

Kleinschmidt suggests parents stick to flowers such as begonias, crape myrtles, gardenias, geraniums, honeysuckle, impatiens, marigolds, petunias, roses and zinnia, all of which are considered safe.