Plants that Kill

Now that Spring has sprung, we’re all spending a lot more time out doors. Gardens have been or are about to be planted. There are more picnics and walks in the woods. But how much do you know about the plants around you?

While any of us can be accidentally poisoned by a plant we are unfamiliar with, children are at greater risk, especially the very young. For many, the danger may be as close as the houseplant in the sunny window.

Before panic sets in, let me define poison. It has a deadly connotation, but it that is not always the case. In this instance, poison means something that has an adverse effect on the body.

Just about everyone can list two or three problem plants, but very few can tell you what they do. Philodendrons and poinsettias are fairly well known as being toxic, but they rarely kill.

Philodendrons have calcium oxalate, which cause tiny cuts when bruised. This is felt as a burning sensation. Poinsettias are a member of the euphorbia family. The latex in those plants cause varying degrees of burns. The poinsettia is a fairly mild plant, though if it is swallowed it could swell the throat. It is a good idea to call your doctor if you suspect a child has swallowed either plant.

The back yard garden, on the other hand, could have plants that would do more harm. Tomatoes, potatoes, egg plant and peppers are members of the nightshade family. The appropriate portions are quite edible and very healthy, but eating any other part of the plants can cause life threatening reactions.

Fruit trees can also pose problems if anything other than the fruit is eaten. Apple, plum, apricot, peach and cherry trees have nutritious fruits, but the seeds, leaves, bark and root can cause cyanide poisoning if eaten.

Let me note here that there are those who believe eating the kernel of the apricot tree will prevent cancer. The more probable result from eating these kernels is death by cyanide.

Flower gardens hold their own dangers. Some are fairly safe, such as roses, carnations and snapdragons. Others contain varying types of poisons. Lilies contain cardiac glycosides which can affect the heart. Foxglove contains a chemical that affects the heart. Castor plants and monkshood contain deadly poisons. The latter can kill in a half hour.

Hedges are also a problem. Privet and yew are deadly. The yew is a particular problem, as it has bright colored berries. Animals that don’t grind food can eat the berries. However, humans do grind food, and when the seed is crushed, it releases the toxin. Children, seeing animals eating the berries, may eat them.

A lot of parks and schools in Southern California have oleander bushes. They are very pretty and somewhat drought tolerant. However, like foxglove and lilies, it contains a potent constituent that affects the heart. As few as two leaves can kill a child.

Going back to the houseplants, there are a few that are a problem. Kalanchoe, and glory lilies can be a major problem, while chrysanthemums and aloe vera are less so.

Various seasons find us bringing specific types of plants inside our homes, and some of them can be very hazardous. Mistletoe, both American and European, causes blood pressure to drop and is especially problematic for small children, who cannot tolerate the drop. Easter lilies, like other members of that family, contain cardiac glycosides that affect the heart and could be highly dangerous.

If you have small children, it might be a good idea to go through the plants around your property to discover what’s there and what it can do. If you don’t recognize a plant, contact a local nursery and they can probably tell you what it is. This knowledge could help you prevent a tragedy.

Alternative Herbal Remedies
Watch this site for an e-book on this topic. It will be called "Mommy, Can I Eat This."