Poisonous Plants of Paradise

[Guest]

it occurs to me that those of you moving here may not be familiar with the perils of some of our commonly grown plants.

A good resource is "Poisonous Plants of Paradise: First Aid and Medical Treatment of Injuries from Hawai`i's plants" by Susan Scott and Craig Thomas, M.D..

I have the book if you have any questions about a specific plant's toxicity.

While I much doubt that any of us would be dumb enough to eat a strange plant -- some plants have poisonous sap or toxins that can be absorbed through the skin. Or transferred to the eyes or mouth inadvertently by handling them and forgetting to wash right away.

Did you know that the Nazi's experimented with dumb cane (dieffenbachia) on prisoners (sterilization), and the Amazonian Indians mixed dumb cane with curare for poison arrows? That it's called "dumb" cane because if the sap is touched to the mouth it renders a person unable to speak?

I didn't until I read this book.

Extremely poisonous plants that are common here include:
Angel's trumpet, azalea, Be-still, black-eyed Susan, Cassava, Castor Bean, Cerbera, Cestrum (night blooming jasmine), chinaberry, crown flower, cup of gold (solandra), dumb cane, elepant ear (alocasia), gloriosa lily, hydrangea, jatropha, nightshade, oleander, periwinkle vinca).

Poisonous but not necesarily medically dangerous include:
allamanda, anthurium, candlenut (kukui), cashew tree
Caribbean copper tree, kahili (grevillea), Kava, Lantana, mango,pencil plant, plumeria, poinsettia, taro.

(Not a complete list)

the most common poisonings in Hawai`i are from anthuriums, kukui, dumb cane, elephant ear, mango, plumeria, pointsettia, and taro.

Many of those poisoned are children, not gardeners. A good reason to know what's in your garden if you have keiki!

[Carey]

Some of the plants on your list have poisonous parts, and some are also food items that must be prepared carefully (this also includes taro) by heating for an extended time to break down chemicals (Cassava is used as a food staple throughout much of the world, but must be prepared in order to break down cyanides that many euphoribia have)

[missydog1]

thanks Carey, yes, I know that and didn't mean to give the impression they are poisonous in all cases or in all parts of the plant. Mango, cashew, and kava too are clearly edibles.

No, the point is to be aware, and not think that because a plant is edible or a common house plant, that it's not potentially toxic or that it's safe to handle without some education.

[JayJay]

It's the kids and the toddlers who must understand that they should NOT put any plant in their mouths unless they either know for sure it's ok or a parent or responsible adult is present and gives the ok. There is both oleander (one leaf can kill a horse) and da kine? (I've forgotten the name but I'll fill it in later) which is perhaps the most toxic plant in existense right here in East Hawaii.

JayJay

Edited by - JayJay on 11/17/2007 22:54:14

[Kapohocat]

Dont forget monsterra (sp?)!!

[Beachboy]

quote:

---

Dont forget monsterra (sp?)!!

---

monsterra is poisoness?



Handle every situation like a dog,If you can't eat it or hump it,piss on it and walk away...

[Kapohocat]

quote:

---

quote:

---

Dont forget monsterra (sp?)!!

---

monsterra is poisoness?



Handle every situation like a dog,If you can't eat it or hump it,piss on it and walk away...

---

Yes, there are 2 types. The deliciouso variety isnt as bad. The other one is much worse and can kill small pets if eaten. The sap of either has a acid in it that acts somewhat similar to poison ivy/oak but can last up to around 3-4 years. I know from first hand experience.

[Michael K]

The fruit of monstera is edible, and all varieties, right? I just recently ate some growing near the Akaka Falls parking lot, and I never stopped to think the fruit might be poisinous. If you haven't tried it, it's like a cross between pineapple and pear but with a creamy texture like banana.

[Kapohocat]

quote:

---

..I never stopped to think the fruit might be poisinous. If you haven't tried it, it's like a cross between pineapple and pear but with a creamy texture like banana.

---

Sap is the poisonous part. Not the fruit of the deliciouso variety.

[Brad W]

Diffenbachia is nothing to fool around with. I cleared a single plant last week from an area I wanted to re-landscape. I was careful (I thought) because a tree climber had warned me to avoid contact with it the week before. Five or six days of itchy skin rash and little sleep, and I see my doctor tomorrow morning. Anticipating a cortisone shot and ointment. I've gotten poison oak in the NW woods many times - this stuff is worse. Originally bought the plant at Wal-mart; no warning of any kind.