Poisonous plants

Newsletter
TraumaCare - Play Therapy
Box 1807, Magaliesview, 2067
5a Franshoek Rd, Lonehill
Tel: 0715929690
Website: www.traumacare.co.za
Email: [email protected]
1st September 2012
Poisonous plants
Poisonous plants
You'd be surprised how many of your favourite plants are poisonous!
There's no need to panic, though, as most are only potentially
harmful if you eat them! This isn't a problem for adults.... you're not
likely to go munching on the leaves of your shrubs are you!? But a
brightly coloured berry or flower is like a magnet to a young child.
And of course everything ends up in the mouth at that age.
It may be wise to put a small fence around certain plants, or better
still, plant low growing scratchy plants that will deter young
explorers.
According to Joan Munday, author of 'Poisonous Plants in South African Gardens and Parks', most cases of
poisoning are in children under the age of five. Not all poisonous plants are necessarily lethal.... very few people
die from plant poisoning. But some can cause skin irritation or allergic responses. It's not necessary to remove
toxic plants totally from your garden.... you'd have very few left if you did, and in any case your children would be
unprotected when they visit other gardens. Rather teach them never to put any berries, flowers or leaves in their
mouths.
The book lists plants which most commonly cause poisoning in this country. Here are a few of them.
The oleander is one of our most common exotic flowering shrubs. It's a tough attractive plant with fragrant
flowers in several different colours. Unfortunately all parts of the plant are extremely poisonous, even lethal.
The syringa is an alien invader that's easily spread by birds which feed on the ripe berries. The birds seem to be
unaffected, but they can make humans, especially children, violently ill.
The elephants ear is a popular garden plant that's toxic, but only at certain times of the year. Strangely enough
it's an important food plant in some parts of the world. Cooking seems to destroy the toxic properties.
The solanum is a large family which includes ornamental, medicinal and even food plants such as the potato and
brinjal. Another is the Bugweed and is classed as an alien invader. The fruits of solanums are often brightly
coloured and it's this part of the plant that is most toxic.
Cycad seed cones may resemble large pineapples, but certainly aren't recommended for your fruit salad! The ripe
cones expose large brightly coloured seeds which are highly toxic. A dedicated gardener would be unlikely to eat
these valuable seeds, but young children aren't as discriminating!
Indoor plants are prime targets for young explorers. Dieffenbachia's for example are commonly known as Dumb
canes, for a very good reason. The sap from stems or leaves can cause the tongue to swell so much that the victim
can no longer speak!
Caution should be taken when growing moonflowers/angels trumpet in areas with small children or pets. While
moonflowers are not harmful if touched, the plant is not meant for ingestion and is considered toxic. Side effects
of moonflower seed ingestion include hallucinations and, in rare cases, respiratory distress.
Rhubarb, while some people enjoy eating the stems of this plant in desserts like Rhubarb Pie, eating Rhubarb
leaves can be fatal. Eating large amounts of raw or cooked leaves causes difficulty breathing, burning of mouth
and throat. Symptoms set in within an hour of eating the leaves and lead to convulsions, internal bleeding, coma,
and death.
Narcissus and daffodils (as well as tulips) rarely cause fatalities, but they do contain toxic alkaloids that may cause
dizziness, abdominal pain and upset, and occasionally, convulsions if eaten.
There are many other plants that should be treated with the greatest respect. Do some research, get yourself a
copy of 'Poisonous Plants in South African Gardens and Parks', or speak to your local poison information centre.
This newsletter has been issued by:
TraumaCare, Box 1807, Magaliesview, Gauteng, 2067
www.traumacare.co.za * [email protected] * Tel: 071 592 9690
Play Therapy * Counselling * Trauma Counselling
Please note that this information must not be used for diagnostic purposes. Please visit a
medical professional for a correct diagnosis.