There
is nothing more attractive
and cheerful than
a room filled with
healthy green houseplants.
They offer aesthetics
to the interior of
our homes, improve
indoor air quality,
and often provide
emotional satisfaction
to the caregiver in
getting the plant
to bloom or produce
new growth.
However, did you know
that plant exposures
are some of the most
frequent poisonings
reported to poison
control centers?
There
are more than 700
species of poisonous
plants in the Canada
and many of these
can be found around
the home. Some
or all parts of a
plant can be poisonous
including the roots,
stems, berries or
even the nectar and
pollen. There
are several chemical
compounds capable
of poisoning that
can be found in a
variety of plants.
Chemicals concentrated
in the cells of roots,
leaves, bark and seeds
serve as the plant’s
defense against insects
and animal attacks.
Some of these compounds
can be toxic, especially
if ingested or touched
by humans.
The
word “poisonous” generates
many kinds of reactions
and the majority of
them are non life-threatening.
Among the key effects
of poisonous plants
are allergic reactions
(caused by spores,
pollen, or naturally
occurring volatile
compounds emitted
into the air by plants),
skin rash or dermatitis
(caused by direct
or indirect contact
with allergenic or
irritant compounds),
and internal poisonings
or irritations (caused
from ingesting plants
or plant parts).
There
are many houseplants
which are perfectly
safe to grow and others
which appear harmless
but are toxic and
dangerous. It
is important to be
as knowledgeable as
possible about the
plants you have growing
in your home.
According to the Washington
Poison Center, the
following houseplants
(listed by common
name) are considered
safe and non-toxic,
but still should not
be ingested: |
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