4 -- Common Poisonous Houseplants

Ingestion of household plants by children under age five is the leading cause of inquiries to poison control centers nationwide. The best treatment for poisoning is to prevent it from ever happening. Teach children not to taste or play with or eat non-food plants both indoors and outdoors.

There are many houseplants which are perfectly safe to grow but as lovely and harmless as others may appear, they can be toxic and/or dangerous in other ways. It is important to be as knowledgeable as possible about the plants growing in your home.

Chemicals concentrated in the cells of roots, leaves, bark and seeds serve as the plant's defense against insect and animal attack. Some of these compounds can be toxic, especially if ingested or touched by humans and can, result in adverse reactions.

A few plant families to be wary of include: the Poinsettia family (Euphorbiaceae), the Philodendron family (Araceae), the Cactus family (Cactaceae), and the Tomato family (Solanaceae). Dumbcane (Dieffenbachia), in the Araceae family, has plant parts which contain oxalate crystals. If ingested these can cause the tongue to swell so severely breathing stops. Crown of Thorns (Euphorbia), a succulent in the Euphorbiaceae family has toxic sap which can be quite irritating to the skin. Among the most poisonous are the compounds found in Castor Bean (Ricinus communis) and Oleander (Nerium oleander) which can be deadly if ingested.

STEPS TO ELIMINATE RISK OF POISONING

IN CASE OF EMERGENCY: If a plant has been ingested, identify the plant, learn how much was eaten, contact the poison control center, watch for adverse symptoms, take the plant with you if you are advised to go to the nearest hospital emergency room. Always know the national poison control center contact number.

PLANT IDENTIFICATION: Learn which houseplants are poisonous and to what degree. The national poison control center can provide information on poisonous plants.

Be sure to properly identify and label houseplants with a tag on the branches rather than a stake that can easily be removed. It is important to note that plants often have several common names but only one botanical name. Contact the nearest botanical garden, cooperative extension service, retail nursery or florist for assistance in proper plant identification or research horticultural books.

EXPOSURE TO POISONS: Exposure to poison is caused by ingestion of plant parts and/or by contact to the skin. Ingestion of plant parts can cause internal poisoning, heart or kidney failure. Skin contact can produce unpleasant symptoms such as dermatitis and allergic reaction. Brushing against sharp prickles, spines and thorns can also be extremely painful.

SAFE DISPLAY OF HOUSEPLANTS: Do not grow potentially toxic houseplants within easy reach of a child. Understand which plants are safe to grow and display indoors.

PREPAREDNESS: Teach children not to taste or play with or eat non-food plants both indoors and outdoors.

Even though some plant parts will have a bitter, unpleasant taste, be prepared for emergencies with first aid supplies handy (a bottle of syrup of ipecac to induce vomiting). The poison control center will coach you on proper administering.

POISON CONTROL CENTERS- 08/06

NATIONWIDE POISON CONTROL NUMBER
1-800-222-1222

For Pets:

ASPCA Nation Animal Poison Center
ASPCA-NAPCC
888-426-4435

Common Poisonous House Plants
Common Name	Scientific Name	Toxic Parts	Symptoms Produced
Flamingo Flower	Anthurium	All plant parts contain calcium oxalate	Intense irritation of the mucous membranes produces swelling of the tongue, lips and palate.
Caladium	Caladium	All plant parts contain calcium oxalate	Intense irritation of the mucous membranes produces swelling of the tongue, lips and palate.
Clivia	Clivia	All plant parts contain licorine	Ingestion produces nausea and diarrhea
Dumb Cane	Dieffenbachia	All plant parts contain calcium oxalate	Intense irritation of the mucous membranes produces swelling of the tongue, lips and palate.
Devil's Ivy	Epipremnum syn.Scindapsus	All plant parts contain calcium oxalate	Intense irritation of the mucous membranes produces swelling of the tongue, lips and palate.
Poinsettia	Euphorbia pulcherrima	Milky latex sap contains terpenes and diterpenes	Latex causes nausea, diarrhea, vomiting and irritaition if swallowed. Skin contact results in severe dermatological irritation.
Ivy	Hedera	leaves and berries contain hederin, a saponin	Ingestion produces burning sensation in throat and gastroenteritis.
Amaryllis	Hippeastrum	bulbs contain licorine	Ingestion causes nausea and diarrhea
Myrtle	Myrtus communis	All plant parts contain tannin and volatile oils	Ingestion causes nausea and vomiting
Swiss Cheese Plant	Monstera	Leaves contain calcium oxalate	Intense irritation of the mucous membranes produces swelling of the tongue, lips and palate.
Oleander	Nerium oleander	All plant parts contain glycosides	One leaf is fatal and will disrupt heart function, trigger circulatory failure and lead to death.
Oxalis	Oxalis	All plant parts contain oxalic acid	Ingestion causes nausea and vomiting and kidney inflammation.
Heart-Leaf Philodendron	Philodendron scandens	All plant parts contain calcium oxalate	Intense irritation of the mucous membranes produces swelling of the tongue, lips and palate.
Aralia	Polyscias	All plant parts contain saponins	Ingestion causes gastrointestinal irritation, nausea, vomiting and diarrhea.
Australian Umbrella Tree	Schefflera syn. Brassaia	All plant parts contain oxalic acid and saponins	Ingestion causes vomiting, loss of coordination, and other symptoms.
Jerusalem Cherry	Solanum pseudocapsicum	Fruit contains solanine, a highly toxic glyco-alkaloid	Ingestion causes burning sensation in mouth and throat, followed by gastric irritation, fever and diarrhea.
Peace Lily	Spathiphyllum	All plant parts contain calcium oxalate	Intense irritation of the mucous membranes produces swelling of the tongue, lips and palate.
Arrowhead Vine	Syngonium	All plant parts contain calcium oxalate	Intense irritation of the mucous membranes produces swelling of the tongue, lips and palate.