Many popular potted plants, which we admire for their beautiful leaves and flowers, are unfortunately alsoplants that are poisonous to humansCheck if you have a plant at home from the list below, how to protect yourself against accidental poisoning and what to do when we find symptoms of poisoning with such an insidious flower. Here are the 10 most commonpoisonous potted plants in our homesthat can endanger us!
Poisonous houseplants - Anthurium
Why are poisonous houseplants so dangerous?
As potted flowers we grow numerous species from tropical regions. Unfortunately, although beautiful, they may turn out to beplants poisonous to humansIn the natural environment, poisonous substances contained in plants protect them from damage or eating by animals. They are therefore their defense mechanisms. However, when we bring these interesting exotic plants to our homes, we expose ourselves to great, sometimes even deadly, danger.
If we find in our apartmentpoisonous potted plantsfrom the list below, remember to carry out all maintenance work, such as transplanting or pruning, with gloves, and protect them against the access of small children or animals. We should especially be careful with plants that are poisonous to cats, because cats like to roam the window sills with flowers and occasionally gnaw at plants.
10 most common poisonous houseplants
1. Anthurium
Anthurium is a popular houseplant with decorative leaves and beautiful spiky inflorescences. The shoots and leaves of anthuriums contain a small amount of calcium oxalate crystals that are poisonous to humans. Skin contact with the sap of this plant can cause a rash, and the lips, tongue, and throat are swollen when swallowed. In case of contact with the eyes, there is a risk of conjunctivitis. Fortunately, the concentration of poison in anthurium juices is very low and the unpleasant symptoms usually pass quickly.
Anthurium - Anthurium
Photo. freeimages.com
2. Potted ivy
The domesticated varieties of common ivy are most often grown as pot ivy. All parts of this plant are poisonous to humans. Ivy juice contains saponins that are harmful to humans, irritating the skin and conjunctiva of the eyes.
Potted ivy
Fig. pixabay.com
Accidental consumption of this plant may lead to respiratory distress and arrest, fever, rash, hallucinations, numbness, and vomiting.
3. Persian cyclamen
This beautifully flowering plant, commonly referred to as alpine violet, produces underground tubers containing poisonous saponins and cyclamine. When ingested, they cause nausea, vomiting and diarrhea, dizziness, convulsions.
Persian cyclamen, alpine violet
Fig. freeimages.com
Fortunately, we rarely come into contact with the tuberous roots of Cyclamen hidden in the ground. However, be very careful when propagating the plant by dividing the tubers - wear gloves, never put your hands close to your mouth, and wash your hands thoroughly after planting the plants.
4. Datura, Bieluń
Datura is prized for its beautiful trumpet-shaped flowers. Most often, the cultivation of daturas is carried out in pots. In summer, these plants decorate gardens and terraces. Therefore, they can also be treated as poisonous garden plants. In winter, the datura must be kept in frost-free rooms. Unfortunately, all parts of these plants are poisonous due to the alkaloids that can cause heart palpitations, convulsions and hallucinations. They are deadly in high doses. In extreme cases, datura poisoning can even result in a coma.
Poisonous houseplants - datura
5. Difenbahia
Dieffenbachia is decorative mainly due to its large leaves, although it can also bloom in an apartment. Like anthurium, its juices contain calcium oxalate crystals, as well as pure oxalic acid and soluble oxalates, and digestive juice, which breaks down proteins. If we damage diphenbachia during care, the juice that flows out of it may cause dermatitis, manifested by itching, burning, blisters. If the juice irritates the eye, severe pain, eyelid spasms and tearing may occur. Consumption of any fragment of diphenbachia causes nausea, diarrhea, arrhythmias, paralysis.
Dieffenbachia
Fig. © PoradnikOgrodniczy.pl
" The irritation of the vocal cords is very severe, leading to the loss of the ability to speak for up to 10 days. This is why difenbachia in English in English they are referred to as dump cane, which means silent reed. In Poland, I once encountered the term merchants&39; reed. "
6. Philodendron
Philodendron is another very poisonous houseplant that contains oxalates and other allergenic substances. Skin contact with philodendron juice results in irritation, and when swallowed, it causes pain and burning sensation in the mouth and throat, drooling, swelling of the mucous membranes, abdominal pain and vomiting.
Climbing philodendron - Philodendron scandens
7. The star of Bethlehem, poinsettia
The star of Bethlehem, a potted plant especially popular around Christmas, is also poisonous. Though not as strongly as some people think. First of all, avoid contact with the white milk juice, which may flow out after damaging the shoot. It causes skin irritation, rarely the symptoms of allergic asthma. The flow of milk juice from the plant can be stopped by rinsing with warm water the area where the shoot has been cut or broken, and then smearing this area with powdered coal. People allergic to latex should avoid contact with this plant.
8. Spider mite
Like the previously mentioned star of Bethlehem, the spotted crotonus belongs to the spurgeon family and also causes poisoning. All parts of this plant, both the stems, leaves and roots, contain sap that causes skin irritation.It also irritates the eyes, and ingestion may result in diarrhea and vomiting.
Croton variegated - Codiaeum
Fig. © PoradnikOgrodniczy.pl
9. Common oleander
Such a beautiful flowering oleander is also poisonous to humans. Swallowing results in poisoning, convulsions and weakening of the heart. However, it is worth knowing that common oleander is also a medicinal plant, and its leaves are herbal material. They contain cardiac glycosides used in the treatment of cardiovascular diseases.
Oleander in a pot
Fig. depositphotos.com
10. Winged Flower
The Peace Lily, which we admire for its beautiful leaves, is another plant that contains calcium oxalates that are poisonous to humans. These substances can irritate the skin and eyes. First of all, however, be careful that parts of this plant do not accidentally get into the mouth, e.g.child. This may irritate the oral mucosa and digestive tract, as well as cause swelling of the upper respiratory tract, which can lead to breathing difficulties.
Wallis' wingis
Fig. © PoradnikOgrodniczy.pl
What to do in case of contact with poisonous potted plants?
The most likely irritations of the skin, which can be enough when caring for the plant, trimming its twigs or transplanting. Therefore, these works should be carried out with gloves, and afterwards, thoroughly wash your hands. In case of skin irritation, rinsing the affected area with a strong stream of water usually helps (in order to wash the remnants of poisonous juice from the skin). Rinsing the eyes is also helpful if an irritating substance gets into them.
Ifjuice or fragments of a poisonous houseplantgot into the mouth, rinse it with water or milk (you should spit it out, never swallow it).If poisonous parts of the plant have been swallowed, it is usually recommended to induce vomiting and drink plenty of water to dilute the poison and help expel it from the body. However, drinking water is forbidden if the poisoned person has hallucinations or disturbances of consciousness.In case of severe poisoning it is necessary to contact a doctor. It is worth knowing the name of the plant so that the doctor can determine what the poisoned is and what will be the best medical treatment.
