What plants are potentially toxic if eaten by pets?

Q:  Which houseplants are poisonous if eaten by pets? My cats are showing way too much interest in the potted plants we just brought inside.

A:  “More than 700 plants have been identified as producing physiologically active or toxic substances in sufficient amounts to cause harmful effects in animals. Poisonous plants produce a variety of toxic substances and cause reactions ranging from mild nausea to death,” according to The Humane Society of the United States.  Their website includes a downloadable list of not only houseplants, but also those found in gardens and fields that might cause your pet distress.  Another resource (which includes tips on what to do if you suspect your pet may have ingested a harmful substance) is the American Animal Hospital Association’s page on pet poisonings.