How to Identify Poisonous House Plants

For the safety of your children and your pets, it is important to know which house plants can be poisonous.

Difficulty: Easy

Instructions

1. 
    
   Caladium

   House plants are an asset to the home, but do some research first before choosing the ones you bring indoors if there is any possibility of them being eaten. House plants are not only beautiful but they are psychologically soothing and help oxygenate daytime indoor air quality. But some of them can be dangerous to children and pets. Most of these plants, however, will require a considerable quantity to be eaten to be really dangerous.

2. 
    
   Ivy is a common indoor and outdoor plant.

   Learn the effects and dangers of specific kinds of houseplants. Here are SOME of the plants commonly grown indoors that you should be aware of:
   
   *Amaryllis (bulbs)- diarrhea nausea, vomiting
   *Caladium (Angel Wings)- juice can cause swelling of mucous membranes
   *Christmas Poinsettia (Euphorbia)- dermatitis and some digestion problems; not so toxic as once thought
   *Crown of Thorns (Euphorbia)- similar to the poinsettia
   *Dieffenbachia (Dumb Cane)- swelling of the mouth and throat
   *Anthurium andraeanum (Flamingo Lily)- immediate burning in the mouth
   *Hedera helix (Ivy)-can cause dermatitis; very bitter but if eaten in quantities can cause convulsions, paralysis, and vomiting
   *Solanum pseudocapsicum (Christmas or Jerusalem Cherry)- eating berries can cause gastroenteritis and vomiting

3. 
    
   Dieffenbachia earns it's name 'Dumb Cane'

   Place toxic plants out of reach if you've identified any in your home (from the above list or from other research on poisonous plants). Again, most of these plants are toxic when swallowed, so it's wise to keep them away from young children and puppies who are likely to actually chew or swallow them. Consider it a temporary caution until the little ones grow out of the put-everything-in-the-mouth phase. Once the young and curious grow out of the dangerous exploring phase, you can return your house plants to their old quarters.

Resources

• California poison control center
• Find your local poison control center

[1stSgtPinkerton]

on 8/3/2008 Great advise.