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Horticulture Principles and Practices

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11.1.6 SAFETY<br />

Some houseplants contain toxins that can be harmful upon contact to the skin or if<br />

ingested. Further, some plants produce flowers <strong>and</strong> hence some pollen grain that can trigger<br />

allergies in humans. If children are going to be in the home, homeowners should not<br />

only concerned about toxic plants, but also about those with anatomic features that can<br />

cause physical harm (e.g., pointed tips, thorns).<br />

11.1.7 TOXIC PLANTS<br />

Generally, plants that exude a milky liquid when snapped or bruised (the Euphorbia<br />

species) contain some toxic substances. Many of the species with underground modified<br />

structures (roots, corms, bulbs) contain toxic substances. The toxins vary in potency <strong>and</strong><br />

most are glycosides or oxalates. While these toxic houseplants may not cause death, they<br />

can cause gastrointestinal inflammation <strong>and</strong> dermatitis. Glycosides like those found in<br />

ole<strong>and</strong>er <strong>and</strong> lily of the valley can stimulate the heart in addition to being irritants to the<br />

mouth <strong>and</strong> intestinal tract. Pothos <strong>and</strong> saddle leaf contain oxalates that irritate the mouth,<br />

lips, tongue, <strong>and</strong> stomach. Those plants with solanine can cause diarrhea <strong>and</strong> vomiting.<br />

Houseplants that are relatively more toxic than others, sometimes dubbed the “dirty<br />

dozen” are aloe vera, Boston ivy, caladium, dumbcane, English ivy, German ivy, Indian<br />

rubber plant, mistletoe, philodendron, potted chrysanthemum, weeping fig, <strong>and</strong> yew.<br />

Other toxic plants are listed in Table 11–2.<br />

TABLE 11–2<br />

Toxic houseplants<br />

Other toxic plants<br />

Comments on toxin<br />

348 Chapter 11 Growing Houseplants<br />

Amaryllis Amaryllis Alkaloid lycorine in bulbs,<br />

Arrowhead plant ; Nephthytis Syngonium podophyllum Toxic oxalates<br />

Asparagus fern Asparagus setaceus Toxic dermatitis<br />

Azalea Rhododendrum occidentale Variable toxins<br />

Bird of paradise Poinciana gilliesii Variable toxins<br />

Bittersweet Solanum dulcamara Toxic solanine<br />

Boston ivy Parthenocissus quinguefolia Toxic oxalates<br />

Caladium Caladium sp. Toxic oxalates<br />

Chenille plant Acalypha hispida Causes skin <strong>and</strong> gastrointestinal<br />

inflammation<br />

Christmas rose Helleborus niger Toxic glycosides<br />

Chrysanthemum Chrysanthemum sp. May cause dermatitis<br />

Creeping Charlie; ground ivy Glechoma hederacea Variable toxins<br />

Creeping fig Ficus Possible dermatitis<br />

Croton Codiaeum variegatum Croton oil, strong purgative<br />

causes gastroenteritis<br />

Crown of thorns Euphorbia millii Variable toxins<br />

Dumbcane Dieffenbachia seguine Toxic oxalates<br />

English ivy Hedera helix Variable toxins<br />

God toothed aloe Aloe nobilis Possible dermatitis<br />

Heartleaf philodendron Philodendron cordatum Toxic oxalates<br />

Hydrangea Hydrangea sp. Cyanogenetic glycoside<br />

Jerusalem cherry Solanum pseudocapsicum Contains solanine<br />

Lily of the valley Convallaria majalis Toxic glycosides<br />

Marble queen Scindapus aureus Toxic oxalates<br />

Majesty Philodendron hastatum Toxic oxalates<br />

Narcissus Narcisuss sp. Toxic alkaloid lycorin<br />

Needlepoint ivy Hedera helix Variable toxins<br />

Ole<strong>and</strong>er Nerium ole<strong>and</strong>er Toxic glycosides<br />

Poinsettia Euphorbia pulcherima Irritant<br />

Pothos Scindapus aureus Toxic oxalates<br />

Rhubarb Rheum rhaponticum Toxic oxalates

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