University of Vermont Extension
Department of Plant and Soil Science
Winter News
Article
HOLIDAY
PLANT TOXICITY
Dr. Leonard Perry, Extension Professor
University of Vermont
Several of our favorite holiday
plants should be kept from children and pets, yet often they pose no
serious
danger in small amounts. There are many
other and more toxic substances to children in homes to be mindful of,
especially cosmetics and personal care products.
The poinsettia (Euphorbia
pulcherrima), the most popular flowering potted plant for indoors, has
gotten a bum rap for a number of years. It's been falsely accused of
being
poisonous, yet no deaths from this plant have ever been recorded. In
fact,
research studies at Ohio State University
have proven that poinsettias present no health hazard.
The rumors arise from a highly
questionable report of a single fatality in Hawaii more than 80 years
ago, a child who
reportedly died after eating one leaf. However, that doesn't mean the
poinsettia doesn't have toxic properties. If ingested, it can irritate
the
mouth and stomach, sometimes resulting in diarrhea or vomiting.
The sap may cause a poison ivy-like
blistering on contact with the skin on some persons unless washed off
immediately. That's why it's important to place poinsettias, and other
holiday
plants, out of the reach of children and curious pets. Keep in mind
that pets and people may differ
in what plants are toxic, and to what degree.
How safe are other holiday plants?
Here's the rundown on plants with toxic properties.
HOLLY (Ilex):
Branches are used during the holidays in arrangements for the shiny
(but
prickly)
dark green leaves
and berries. Eating the bright, red
berries of this plant usually result in no toxicity in small
quantities. Large quantities cause nausea, abdominal
pain, or vomiting.
JERUSALEM CHERRY (Solanum
pseudocapsicum): This potted plant has been more popular in decades
past,
but still can be found during the holidays (so also called Christmas
Cherry)
for the rounded red fruits against the dark green leaves on a plant
about a
foot high. Every part of this plant contains
the toxic substance solanocapsine, especially in unripened fruits and
leaves.
Eating the fruit or foliage will adversely affect the heart and can
cause a
range of symptoms including stomach pain, vomiting, headache,
drowsiness, to
others more severe.
MISTLETOE (Phoradendron
serotinum): This plant parasite of
deciduous trees in the Southeastern states is used during the holidays
for
hanging above doorways, and for its white berries. While most
exposures result in little or no
toxicity, eating large amounts can cause acute stomach and intestinal
disorders. These are caused by the
chemical phoratoxin, related to ricin.
YEW (Taxus):
The leaves, seeds (not the red fleshy covering), bark, and twigs of
this
evergreen can be toxic, causing breathing difficulties, uncontrollable
trembling, and vomiting. Most reported
poisonings are from the seeds, and only result in mild symptoms.
Allergic reactions may occur from nibbling on
leaves. Yew is a great example of the
difference between people and animals, toxic to the former but devoured
by
deer.
AZALEA (Rhododendron):
This holiday plant is mainly grown as a shrub outdoors with thousands
of
variants. The leaves can be toxic, as is
honey made from flower nectar, containing grayanotoxins. Perhaps the
first written account of
rhododendrons was from the 4th century in Greece depicting the
poisoning of
ten thousand soldiers from a yellow shrub azalea. Recently,
one study
concluded that eating moderate amounts of azalea posed little danger to
humans. Pets
and children may
be more seriously affected, so should be kept from these.
CYCLAMEN (Cyclamen
persicum): Since the thickened roots
(rhizomes) of these are the toxic part, containing triterpenoid
saponins, it is
unlikely humans (including children) would eat such and be affected,
and then
only if large quantities are ingested.
Pets, especially those that like to dig in pots, should be kept away
from cyclamen.
AMARYLLIS (Hippeastrum): The toxic part of this plant is the bulb,
which contains lycorine and similar alkaloids.
These are the compounds found also in daffodils, and the reason wild
animals like deer know to leave them alone.
House pets may not be so wise, so keep these away from them. Ingestion
by humans is unlikely, with small
amounts producing few or no symptoms.
For more details on toxic
plants of all
types, including common houseplants, consult the second edition of the
Handbook
of Poisonous and Injurious Plants by doctors Nelson, Shih, and Balick.
>From Springer publishing, it is one of the
most authoritative, up-to-date, and affordable such references for
human
poisoning by plants, and is used in many poison control centers.
If you suspect poisoning, seek
immediate professional help. Unless told
to do so by such doctors, do NOT make the person throw up. Call your
local poison control center, often
at your local hospital. Or, you can call
the toll-free National Poison Control Center hotline
(800-222-1222) and talk with poison control experts. This national
service is available anytime,
and can answer any questions on poisoning even if not from plants and
even if
not an emergency.
Return to Perry's Perennial
Pages, Articles 