All parts of this plant should be considered toxic and or fatal if eaten due to the presence of the Cardiac Glycoside Digitoxin, which is present in the leaves, flowers and seeds. The primary toxin Digitoxin has a profound effect on the heart; causing it to beat many times stronger than normal. As a result the primary cause of death is cardiac arrest as the heart becomes over burdened and eventually stops. Ingestion of the plant will usually cause nausea and vomiting within minutes limiting further consumption.