Here we are “OVER THE
GARDEN FENCE with Daisy Mae” who is over in the
Greenhouse today, preparing the raised beds for this years
tomato plants. Tomatoes are greedy plants, so need lots
of feeding, so in the bottom of those raised beds, a good
layer of horse manure will give them plenty to go at later
in the season when they need it most. A good rich all purpose
compost will make the plants happy and healthy…
And so, on to today’s
article about toxic plants in our garden…
The abundance of beautiful
and well-grown houseplants gives a special sense of comfort
at home. Apart from being pleasing to the eye, some house
plants have the ability to purify the air quality….
However, if you turn your home
into a full-size botanical garden, you might do yourself
bad favour, as some common house and garden plants also
happen to be toxic. They can carry not only health risks
but also life-threatening hazards, especially if you are
not careful with handling them properly….
Here’s a quick review
of some of the most common poisonous plant species you might
have at your home…
Hydrangea
Hortensis
It's a medium-sized bush with gorgeous blossoms.
It's a perennial decorative plant which blooms every year
from spring until autumn with large, ball-shaped flowers
that reach 30cm in diameter. Hydrangea's petals are long-lasting
and, most often, come in pink, whereas some sorts are white,
red and blue-coloured. Depending on the pH contents of the
soil, the colour of the hortensis changes from blue (low
pH), through pale (neutral pH), to purple (high pH)….
In the past, hydrangeas were
swamp plants and that's their most significant peculiarity.
In Europe, hortensias came at the end of the 19th century
from China and Japan. With years, many more hybrid sorts
were imported. Today, there are over 30 different species,
and around 12 of them are popular garden breeds….
Unfortunately, all parts of
the plant contain cyanide, one of the deadliest poisons
known to man. On the positive side, they contain low amounts
of it. Hydrangeas are moderately toxic for pets if ingested,
same is the deal with children. Grown-up humans can show
more resilience….
Symptoms: Nevertheless, should poisoning occur, it comes
with vomiting, heavy breathing, lethargy, stomach ache and,
in worst cases, coma….
Water Hemlock
One of the most toxic plants
in nature. Infamously, Socrates' sentence to death was executed
by him ingesting hemlock. It's not a decorative plant you
will sow in your garden, but it's a widespread weed. It
can easily be confused with a blooming carrot, as it looks
and smells harmless enough. If you do spot it in your garden,
pull it up using gloves….
Water hemlock has little white
buds – altogether they resemble an umbrella. The plant
can reach around a metre in height and belongs to the carrot
family. The stalk of the plant is full of multiple small
tubular hollows that are filled with highly toxic brownish
liquid….
Even a small amount of its
toxic ingredient can poison livestock or humans. Cicutoxin
is a palatable cause of convulsions and attacks the central
nervous system directly. Severe poisoning on the plant can
lead to seizures and, subsequently, death. Seek immediate
medical assistance if you or your child ingests the plant….
For cattle, the roots are more
dangerous, especially if exposed after ploughing. Examine
your garden for the weed and deal with its infestation immediately,
as smaller pets don't stand a chance against its toxicity….
Symptoms: fatal outcome with violent and painful seizures….
Nerium Oleanders
They're a species of evergreen
perennial bushes and trees from Apocynaceae family. There
are three types that exist in nature – they grow in
the Mediterranean, as well as in the subtropical regions
of Asia… Despite its toxicity, the plant is highly
valued as a decorative flower, with beautiful red, white,
yellow and pink fragrant blossoms. Its chemical substances
are widely used in medicine to heal heart disease. It's
also spread around the world as a decoration for gardens
and parks because the flower is very easy to maintain. But
it's deadly toxic…
Symptoms: include drowsiness, vomiting, slowed heart rate,
arrhythmias, seizures and tremors. In one recorded case
a child suffered effects from a single leaf, whereas the
same amount is enough to kill a dog…
What's more, if you burn oleander,
the smoke will be toxic for you, so refrain yourself from
doing so…
Daffodil
Belongs to the Amaryllidaceae family.
It comprises of 60 varieties,
originating from the moderate climate regions of Central
and Western Europe, West Asia and North Africa. Many sorts
are highly valued as decorative flowers.
The hybrid cultivated types
are over 12 000…
Daffodils are one of the first
plants that blossom in your garden without fear of the late
spring frost….
However, if the bouquet of
daffodils stays for too long in a room, people start getting
headaches. In fact, different parts of the plant are mildly
poisonous. Unlike other toxic domesticated flowers, daffodil
poisoning doesn't lead to a fatal end, even in pets, but
the reactions are unpleasant. Symptoms include vomiting,
dehydration, drooling and stomach ache. In some cases, tremors,
convulsions and heart irregularities can be observed, especially
in pets….
We know you wouldn’t put
them on your dinner plate, but don’t let your dog root
around in garden beds where you grow daffodils
Symptoms: : nausea, vomiting, diarrhoea….
Foxglove
(Also known as Digitalis)
is a cold- and dry-resistant plant. It is a popular decorative
plant due to its beautiful blossoms. Digitalis is
widely used in medicine for drugs that power up your cardiac
system. Indeed, if used correctly, the plant is a life-saver.
Unfortunately, the wild and
the cultivated flowers are both deadly poisonous if ingested
directly. This is one of the reasons NOT to prepare
your own homemade heart remedies with the plant, as the
dose that you might get out of it will be completely unregulated….
Watch out for your children
when they play outdoors – a handful of its trumpet-like
blossoms are enough to poison them, let alone your pets.
Clinical symptoms include increased
heart rate, nausea, vomiting, seizures. Antidotes may be
needed in potential life-threatening cases, to deal with
the toxin….
Symptoms: irregular pulse and heartbeat, upset stomach and
mental confusion. May be fatal….
Caladium (a.k.a. Elephant
ear)
Is a beauteous plant with intricate leaf colours. Its basic
shades are red, pink, white and green.
You can stumble upon different
colour and pattern combinations across the flower stores.
The birthplace of caladium are the tropical forests of South
America. It's a grass plant with decorative sharp, heart-shaped
leaves. Caladium never reaches more than 30 cm in
height. Normally, the leaves have green edges, whereas the
middle's where the extra colour appears….
Elephant ear contains
calcium oxalate crystals, which causes injury when chewed.
Symptoms are vomiting, drooling, swelling tongue and oral
cavity as a whole, which can lead to breathing difficulties….
The poison is not life-threatening,
but should symptoms occur, seek a veterinarian’s help
if your pet’s been privy or a physician if your kid
has ingested the plant….
Symptoms: irritation and feelings of intense burning. If
tongue swells enough it can block the passage of air, thus
leading to death
Poison ivy
It’s a perennial plant that reaches around 30 cm in
height if it stays on the ground. However, it is a vine
plant, which means it climbs on trees, houses and walls,
and can get as long as 100 ft.
Even though its name sounds
dangerous, it is generally only slightly poisonous. If pets
come in contact with the plant (through touch or ingestion),
irritation and rashes are observed. Thankfully for our little
furry companions, their thick hair serves as a protection
from poison ivy and its toxic oils stay clear of their skin….
Unfortunately, when it comes
to humans, we need to be extra careful with the itchy plant.
If you are travelling through wild places, make sure to
have protective clothes covering your skin….
Symptoms: : nasty rashes, itches, blisters and hives on
the skin….
Philodendron
(Monstera Deliciosa)
Originates from the warm tropical forests of South America.
It's an evergreen plant, which is sometimes called a “green
tree” (philodendron) or just a “weeping
tree”, since when the air humidity increases, large
water drops form on the leaf edges and drip down. In its
natural habitat, the Monstera is a strong vine plant with
swift green stems that look like snakes….
Its poisonous contents have
undergone as many researches as the results received from
them. Humans are highly resistant to the levels of oxalate
in the plant, and a fatal end is highly unlikely. Digesting
parts of the plant can lead to salivation, mouth burning
and tongue swelling in some cases. As far as pets are concerned,
science cannot say with an absolute certainty whether philodendron
leads to fatal poisonings. In any case, be protective of
your pets and don't let them eat the plant, just to be on
the safe side….
Symptoms: : intense salivation, mouth burning and tongue
swelling
Heliotrope…
Toxicity results from ingestion of a large quantity over
an extended period of time. All parts of the heliotrope
are poisonous and will cause gastric distress in humans
and animals. Major species that are effected are Herbivores,
cattle, horses, pigs, poultry, and sheep (which are less
vulnerable). Heliotrope has slow acting liver toxin, which
causes liver damage (atrophic hepatosis).
Sometimes it has a high death
rate in cattle; no known human losses have been reported
in USA. In most cases of toxicity, animals consume large
amounts of the heliotrope over an entire season without
any developing signs. However underneath, the hepatocyte
changes continue until the second season, when the affected
animal will have serious poisoning.In addition, consumption
of this plant may effect milk quality…
Toxicity Signs…
The toxin causes progressive
changes in characteristics of liver atrophy, and might cause
photosensitization. A sudden hemolytic jaundice as a response
to the toxic, and eventually death….
The poison of heliotrope is
from two types of pyrrolizidine alkoilds and their respective
N-oxides. Also allylic esters of pyrrolizidine alkaloids
which are also hepatotoxic. The plant contains about 3%
alkaloids, mostly as N-oxides. [5] Two pyrrolizidine alkaloids,
Indicine (1) and lycopsamine (2), have been isolated from
Heliotropium… ,
Symptoms: loss of memory, coma,
paralysis, coma and death
FOOTNOTE
No matter if it’s you,
your family, or your pet, if you suspect you or a loved
one has been poisoned due to exposure to plants, here is
what to do: Recognise the symptoms. The poisonous plant
substances would most likely either cause a skin rash from
external contact or digestive trouble from swallowing parts
of the plants. The latter can cause vomiting, fainting,
and seizures….
Call a doctor, or a vet. Immediately
call a professional physician once you see somebody showing
symptoms. There is a 24-hour service under the name of Vetfone,
similar to NHS in the UK,…
Provide some comfort. While
waiting for the specialist, you can help by making the victim
comfortable. If the poisoning is external, remove the contaminated
clothes. If poisoning occurred due to ingestion, remove
anything still present in the person’s (or pet’s)
mouth. They might keep vomiting, even if they have fainted,
so you have to turn them on their side, so they do not suffocate….
CPR in extreme cases. Unfortunately,
poisoning with certain plants can cause fatality before
the medical staff arrives. If the person is not showing
any sign of life, you’ll have to administer CPR –
it might save their life until the doctor arrives….
I hope you've enjoyed this
article; it's off to help Daisy in the Greenhouse for me,
as there is always plenty to do no matter what time of year
it is, an amateur gardener's work is never done. Do look
out for any of our other articles, but most of all........
"HAPPY GARDENING until
we all meet again Over the Garden Fence with Daisy Mae"
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