House plant safety
As adults we understand that house plants are there for our viewing pleasure and should not be consumed. However, children and house pets have not come to this realization yet. Therefore, it is important to educate your children about house plant safety and possibly even keep certain house plants out of their reach entirely. Below are some of the more harmful house plants that you should be aware of.
The Araceae Family
This family includes the plants dieffenbachia, philodendron, caladium, and elephant's ear. The sap of these plants contains a chemical protein called asparagine which has been known to cause inflammation of the mucus membranes. They also contain calcium oxalate crystals that can irritate the mouth and throat tissues. Severe reactions have been known to seal off the breathing passages; however, they are rare. Most poisoning symptoms include irritation and burning in the mouth, lips, and tongue.
The Euphorbiaceae (Spurge) Family
Members of this family include poinsettias, pencil trees, crown-of-thorns, and snow-in-the-mountains. The milky sap of this family is toxic and acrid. The sap has also been known to cause dermatitis in some humans and can be poisonous if ingested by someone allergic to the chemicals in the sap. Snow-in-the-mountain has also been known to cause blisters and skin burns. There is still debate on whether poinsettias are poisonous if ingested. Reports of nausea and abdominal pain from ingesting poinsettias exist, but myths about its deadliness have been widely refuted.
The Solanaceae Family
The Jerusalem cherry is probably the most widely known of this family. The plants in this family contain a poisonous glycoalkaloid known as solanine that is highly toxic even in small amounts. Consuming the berries of this plant can cause symptoms that range from abdominal pains and headaches, to paralysis of the respiratory and circulatory systems. However, it is important to remember that not all members of this family are toxic to humans. For instance, we enjoy tomatoes and peppers with no harmful side effects.
Holiday plants
There are a number of seasonal plants that are extremely toxic when consumed. Ivy, holly, mistletoe, and hibiscus are all toxic to humans. What's more, some of these plants can be fatal to your pets, so be aware. The preservatives used in watering your Christmas tree stand can cause severe gastric issues with your pet. Azaleas, oleander, mistletoe, sago palm, yew plant material, and Easter lilies, can all be fatal to your pet if ingested. So be sure to keep these and other potentially harmful plants out of reach.
The Japanese Yew
An ornamental yard plant often used in the landscaping around the foundation of homes, the yew plant is extremely deadly to animals. For instance, an animal only has to consume one tenth of one percent of its body weight to receive a lethal dose. In other words, a 50 pound dog could die from eating less than 2 ounces of the plant. The yew plant contains a toxic alkaloid that affects the electrical activity in the heart, leading to sudden heart failure. Some other symptoms may include loss of coordination, trembling, diarrhea, and collapse. For safety reasons, it is recommended that you be able to identify and rid your area of this harmful plant.
False alarms
Household pets such as cats and dogs will often vomit after chewing or eating certain flowers and house plants. It is important to note that this probably does not represent poisoning. Only persistent or severe vomiting should be a cause for alarm. The best advice, of course, is to consult your veterinarian to be certain.