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Diane Relf
Virginia Cooperative Extension
We live
in a time of environmental crisis when all plant life should
be promoted and valued, rather than feared for any potential
poisonous qualities. Plants are extremely diverse organisms,
however, and should be respected for their ability to poison
as well as feed humans.
There
is no set manner by which plants poison. Most plants must
be ingested to become toxic, while others can be touched (in
the case of dermal reactions). Toxicity depends on the amount
of plant material ingested. For example, all parts of the
sunflower Helianthus annuus fall on the "slightly toxic"
plant list. Since sunflowers are a large part of our snack
food diet, this comes as a surprise, but is a perfect example
of toxicity as a function of ingested amount. But doesn't
ice cream make us sick if consumed in disproportionate amounts?
So, should we fear all plants in the landscape and keep our
children locked in boxes so no one risks their lives around
plants? Certainly not!
Just
because a plant produces poisonous berries or leaves does
not automatically exclude it from use in a home landscape.
In PLANTS FOR PLAY (MIG Communications), Robin C. Moore says
that the great majority of our landscape plants are "highly
beneficial and perfectly safe" for children, but there are
many plants containing poisonous substances that warrant precaution.
Adults should learn about their landscapes and be able to
distinguish those plants that are potentially hazardous. In
turn, adults should caution their children about those plants
and plant parts that carry toxins.
There
is no need to alienate children from plants, making them afraid
of plant life. Instead, there is a great need to change the
child's perspective to that of respect for all plant life,
so the child has less risk of exposure to dangers. The education
process provides a great opportunity for parent and child
to share and grow in enjoyment of the environment.
The
age of the children playing in the yard is a major consideration
when planning your landscape. Berries produced on plants at
perfect heights for small children, such as the poisonous
fall berries of Convallaria majalis (Lily-of-the-Valley),
are at ground level and much more of a concern for toddlers
or small children than ten-year-olds.
Recent
trends in home landscaping involve a strong wildlife interest
as a major factor in plant selection. Homeowners are asking
for plants that produce berries that persist to feed birds,
squirrels, chipmunks, and other wildlife creatures. These
berries not only appeal to wildlife, but appeal to small children
as well. Patterning after parents picking blackberries, strawberries,
and other edible fruits may encourage a child to pick and
eat these tempting, poisonous berries. The best way to protect
small children from plant poisoning is to teach them to not
eat any plant parts without adult supervision until they are
old enough to be positive that the plant is safe to eat.
We cannot
ignore plants -- the hand that feeds us, so-to-speak. Human
and animal life cannot exist apart from green flora, so we
must learn how to live with it. This means plant education
for all people, big and small.
Some
Common Landscape Plants and Their Toxic Parts
Yew Taxus
seeds
Privet Ligustrum leaves and berries
Sunflower Helianthus annuus all parts, if ingested
in excess
Burning Bush Euonymous berries
Jack-in-the-Pulpit Arisaema triphyllum fruits
Bittersweet Celastrus orbiculata, C. scandens fruits
Daphne Daphne mezereum berries
Pokeberry Phytolacca americana berries
Chokecherry Prunus virginiana seeds
Black Nightshade Solanum nigrum berries
May Apple Podophyllum peltatum fruit
Poison Ivy Rhus radicans berries
Oleander Nerium oleander all parts
Rhododendron, Azalea Rhododendron spp. leaves
Castor Bean Plant Ricinus communis seeds
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Disclaimer
and Reproduction Information: Information in NASD does not represent
NIOSH policy. Information included in NASD appears by permission
of the author and/or copyright holder. More
NASD Review: 04/2002
Diane
Relf, Extension Specialist, Environmental Horticulture
(Originally
published as "Learning from Poisonous Plants," by Diane Relf,
Extension Specialist, Consumer Horticulture, and Sheri Dorn,
Horticulture Extension Technician, Virginia Tech, in The Virginia
Gardener Newsletter, Volume 13, Number 8.)
August
1996
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