Page 29 - The world of dangerous PLants

Family:Ranunculaceae

D.Bakeri D.barbeyi Delphinium is a genus of numerous species of annual and perenni-
al flowering plants. All the plants in this genus are toxic and have a low
to medium toxicity level. Although all parts of these plants are toxic, it’s
the seeds and new growth that are the most potent. Symptoms of toxic
poisoning, for humans and animals, can be excessive slavering, vomit-
ing or diarrhoea, digestive issues, muscle spasms, nausea, bloating, ab-
dominal pain and collapse. Although, in general, these plants are safe to
D.Cardinale D.elatum handle, some people can suffer from a mild skin rash, while others will
suffer a full blown painful rash. Delphiniums are popular household and
garden ornamental plants; if you have one of these plants in your care
try to keep it where it’s inaccessible to children and pets. Children
should be warned of the danger these plants pose and always wear
gloves when handling it.

Family: Apocynaceae

Adenium is a genus of 5 to 6 species of flowering plants, commonly
A.Arabicum A.Multiflorum
known as Desert rose. All plants of this genus are toxic and have a low to
medium toxicity level. Symptoms of toxic poisoning, for both humans
and animals, could be distress, excessive drooling, refusal to eat or drink,
vomiting and diarrhoea, low blood pressure, lethargy, dizziness, stomach
upset and disruption to the heart rhythm. Skin contact could cause mild
irritation for most people, while for others with sensitive skin could ex-
A.obesum A.swazicum perience very painful irritation. Native to hot tropical zones these plants
grow in the wild, however in temperate areas they are usually kept as
houseplants. When kept indoors they should be kept at a high elevation
or in a restricted area, out of the reach of children and pets. Children
should be warns about the danger they pose, and although not particu-
larly toxic to touch, you should wear gloves when handling them.

Family: Araceae
Dieffenbachia, also known as Dumb cane, is a genus containing numerous
D.Seguine tropical flowering plants. All plants of this genus are toxic, especially the leaves,
stock and roots, and have a low to medium toxicity level. Symptoms of toxic poi-
soning for both humans and animals, could be drooling, loss of appetite, burning
and blisters in the mouth and throat, excessive salivation, pain when swallowing,
nausea, vomiting and irritation and reddening of the eyes. Touching them, espe-
cially the leaves, can irritate the skin or make it extremely itchy. Dieffenbachia,
D.longispatha with its large leaves, is a common houseplant. When kept indoors it should be po-
sitioned in an area where it’s unlikely to come into contact with the skin and
where children and pets cannot reach it. Being smaller, children are more prone
to the toxic effects of these plants so they should be warned of the dangers they
pose. Pets should be kept away from them and never allowed to eat or chew any
part of them, and always try to wear gloves when handling them.