Caution! Garden May Be Toxic??????

Welcome!   

Today I am addressing a serious topic.  I have been getting a lot of emails regarding this specific issue, and thought I would re-post this very important information.  This post has been reprinted in several pet magazines, and has been very helpful to pet owners...I hope it will be helpful to you too.

The other day I was having a conversation about plants in the garden that I avoid planting. One such plant was Heliotrope. I love Heliotrope…it always did what it was supposed to do…and it smelled just glorious…but I abandoned it. Why, you ask? Why would I abandon a plant that was doing well in my greenhouse and gardens?
 


This is why. Miss Poo LOVED to be in the greenhouse with me , and was never far away when I was planting or weeding or watering the flowers. I would often catch her walking around smelling the flowers…and once I caught her smelling…and nibbling on the heliotrope.

Heliotrope and Lantana are toxic to dogs. When our family’s beloved Miss Poo fell very ill with a mysterious illness that nearly took her life, I got to researching what plants I had in the gardens, that she could possibly have eaten…I was shocked to see that many of the plants that I had been growing all along were poisonous…some even toxic to not just pets, but people too!

Now, most pets and kids do not make it a habit to go around and sample the flowers and things in the gardens, but some may. I made it a point to teach my kids NEVER to put any of the flowers or plants into their mouths right as soon as they learned to crawl. My Miss Poo has since passed away, and my kids are old enough to know not to eat the plants, but I believe that it bears importance to know what we are growing. Just in case- right? RIGHT.

The following is a list of some of the plants that are considered to have adverse effects if eaten, handled etc. This list is far from complete, but it does cover many of our common garden plantings…(and if you live in my area….many of these are houseplants too!) If you do have a plant that is not on my list and you are unsure if it is dangerous or not, you can call your local poison control center and they will have some advice for you.



I love the Bleeding heart plant. (Dicentra spectabilis)…but if eaten the leaves and roots can cause many adverse reactions, such as: loss of balance, weakness, breathing distress and convulsions.

I once had a Castor bean plant. (Ricinus communis)…It was huge and healthy…I had no idea what I had as it was left for me by the previous owner of the house…I was shocked to look it up and find out that it was highly toxic! Just the simple handling of seeds and foliage can cause itching rash! Eating any part of this plant can cause burning in mouth and throat, abdominal pain, digestive problems, convulsions and death. Just one castor bean contains enough ricin to kill an adult within a few minutes! Needless to say…small children and a dog caused this plant to move on to someone else’s house. (that had no pets or kids)

I have always thought Delphinium was such a pretty perennial! (Delphinium spp.)…I had not considered that it was not just pretty but VERY TOXIC! All parts of this plant can cause nausea, abdominal cramps, bloating, paralysis and death. Needless to say…this plant has been relocated to the flower bed in the alley behind the house…just in case.



I plant Flowering tobacco in large quantities each year in my gardens.(Nicotiana alata) I didn’t even consider that it could be highly toxic! All parts of this plant if eaten can cause rapid heartbeat, weakness, blindness, digestive upset, abdominal pain and death. Good thing I didn’t eat any hey?
Foxglove is another common plant.(Digitalis purpurea)…It is also a very toxic toxic one! If ingested. all parts of this plant can cause nausea, abdominal pain, confusion, blurred vision, irregular heartbeat, convulsions and death.

I have not before heard of the Gas plant, but the name of it peaked my curiosity. (Dictamnus albus)…All parts of this plant, especially the seed pods, can cause irregular reddish patches on skin, blistering and staining of skin lasting for several weeks. Handling of this plant is dangerous…which is more than likely why I haven’t heard of it before….no one wants to harvest the seed pods.


Next we discuss Iris.



NOT That Iris!!! YOU GUYS ARE SILLY!!! (that is Grammie… my mom! she is an Iris…but not the one I was looking at…)

Iris (Iris spp.)

Leaves and rhizomes can cause nausea and digestive upset. So can upsetting
Grammie…she doesn’t take no crap ya know…lol

Lily-of-the-valley has never been a favorite of mine. They are invasive!!! (Convallaria majalis)…and as it turns out….also very toxic! All parts of this plant can cause irregulatr heartbeat, nausea, circulatory collapse and death.



Lobelia is one of my all time favorite flowers. I use it in most of my containers. (Lobelia spp.)…In spite of it’s delicate look, and bright flowers, all parts of this plant can cause digestive upset, weakness, tumors and coma if eaten.

OKAY….I LOVE LOBELIA…BUT EAT??? HELLO??? I suppose that what I think of as common sense…isn’t the same for others…lol

Do not eat the Lupine plant! (Lupinus spp.)…All parts of the Lupine plant, especially seeds, can cause breathing problems, convulsions and death.



Monkshood is one of my favorite perennials. (Aconitum spp.)
All parts of this plant, especially the roots and seeds, can cause anxiety, weakness, irregular heartbeat, speech and vision impairment and death if you eat enough of it.



The Poppy plant needs no introduction. (Papaver spp.) It has a reputation of being a prolific bloomer, invasive self seeder…and…Very toxic! Eating unripe seeds can cause deep sleep, dizziness, delirium, slow breathing and death. Ripe poppy seeds are harmless. All other parts of the plant can cause nausea, digestive upset, stomach pain.

Sweet pea (Lathyrus odoratus)

Ingestion of large amounts of seed can induce cramps, paralysis, and death. Kinda scary since small children could think it is a regular pea plant…



APPLES!!!

 I don’t think we need a photo to tell us what an apple tree looks like…or the fruit do we?

Apple seeds contain cyanogenic glycosides. I remember the dietician at the doctor’s office telling me why they don’t like children to drink apple juice. When apple juice is made…they do not peel and core the apple…instead they just crush the juice from the entire apple…seeds, peel and all. The toxins from the apple seed are juiced into the juice and it can affect the behaviour of your kids! If you eat enough of the seeds, you could very well die.

Daffodils are deer- and vermin-resistant, and no wonder -- they have a poisonous numbing effect.
DOLLS'S EYE-The fruit of a doll's eye plant contain cardiogenic toxins that can lead to cardiac arrest and death.

GROUND CHERRY (JAPANESE LANTERN) (CHINESE LANTERN)

These ornamental plants grow low to the ground with many branches. The leaves and unripe fruit are poison.

HOLLY

 -the berries of these ornamental plants are poison and especially dangerous for small children. Symptoms: nausea, vomiting, diarrhea.





HYDRANGEA 

Large flower clusters grow on this deciduous shrub of vines. The leaves, branches and buds are poison. Symptoms: Nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, rapid breathing, staggering, convulsions and death.




JIMSONWEED (THORNAPPLE) (JAMESTOWN WEED) (STINKWEED) 

All parts of these noxious common annual weeds are poison, especially weeds and leaves. The symptoms if affected by the plant are: Abnormal thirst, dilated pupils, nausea, hallucinations, convulsions, rapid pulse, high blood pressure, coma.

MILKWEED 

This erect, coarse perennial plant is found in fields and along damp roadsides . The leaves, stems and sap of this plant are are poison. Upset Stomach will occur if eaten.


MORNING GLORY 

This very colorful vine is a popular annual/ornamental plant with seeds that are poisonous. The seeds have a hallucinogenic effect. Symptoms: Digestive upset, stupor, coma and death.

NETTLE (STINGING NETTLE) 

OH BE CAREFUL!….when harvesting these tall annual or perennial bristle weeds. The nettle hairs cause severe itching, burning and skin inflammation. Trust me…been there…done that…a few times.
POTATO (IRISH POTATO) (WHITE POTATO)

We all think of the Potato plant as a safe and healthy common garden vegetable, but the sprouts, leaves, shoots and green tubers are poisonous. Symptoms you may feel if you are affected by the non edible parts are: Dilated pupils, digestive upset, numbness, paralysis, circulatory and respiratory depression. This plant Can be fatal.

 
RHODODENDRON (AZALEA) (LAUREL) 

All of the parts of this woody evergreen /deciduous shrub are considered poisonous, especially the foliage. Persons affected adversely by this plant may feel: Increased saliva and nasal discharge, digestive upset, depression of t he heart and nervous system, paralysis, and stupor. Azalea may be fatal.


Rhubarb

 Rhubarb is commonly grown for its edible leaf stock, but beware…the leaves and roots of this common garden plant are poison. Symptoms include: Burning and irritation of the mouth and tongue. May be fatal as this plant can cause the tongue and throat to swell blocking air passage. Other symptoms may include nausea and vomiting. 


SPURGE (POINSETTIA) (SNOW-ON-THE-MOUNTAIN) 

The milky sap of the leaves and stems of numerous varieties of this herb or shrub causing severe blistering and burning of the eyes and skin. If eaten these plants may cause acute irritation of the mouth, throat and stomach. These plants can be fatal. 

 TOMATO 

The vines and leaves of this common plant are poison. ONLY EAT THE FRUIT. The vines and leaves can cause cardiac depression and may be fatal if eaten in large amounts.


WISTERIA 

I love Wisteria, butit is poison. It may caue stomach upset. Small Children may be poisoned by just one seed!


Other plants that you may wish to be aware of are:

• Cyclamen -Causes vomiting, gastrointestinal upset and death.
• Kalanchoe -Causes vomiting and diarrhea.
  

Bulbs

If your dog loves to dig in your yard or garden, these toxic garden plants are particularly dangerous.
The bulb is the poisonous part of the plant. Keep your dog away from them at all times.
Amaryllis
Autumn Crocus
Daffodil
Gladiolas
Hyacinth
Narcissus
Tulip


Dieffenbachia
 This is a common houseplant in most homes. It can cause intense burning and irritation of the mouth, lips and tongue, excessive drooling, difficulty swallowing, vomiting.


Plants in the Aloe Vera family are toxic to dogs! If eaten they cause diarrhea, tremors, depression…and death



Lacy Tree This plant can cause irritation of the mouth, lips and tongue, excessive drooling, difficulty swallowing, vomiting.



Schefflera This plant causes intense burning and irritation of the mouth, lips and tongue, excessive drooling, difficulty swallowing, vomiting.

 This list is by far not complete…but it is a good start at making us aware of some of the houseplants and greenhouse/garden plants that we take for granted because of their beauty. We should always be careful of what we put into our mouths…and if we are not sure if they are edible or not…take a few moments to look them up or ask someone who is an expert.

That is all I have for today…so I wish you lots of blooms…and good growing!
Until next time..

(¯`v´¯)
`*.¸.*´Glenda/Tootsie
¸.•´¸.•*¨) ¸.•*¨)
(¸.•´ (¸.•´ .•´ ¸¸.•¨¯`•.

Fertilizer Friday/ Flaunt Your Flowers Sept. 7/12

IS EVERYBOY READY!!!! IT IS FRIDAY!!! FRIDAY IS FLAUNTING DAY!!! I am so glad you stopped by!

Friday is a BIG day for us here at Tootsie Time…(ok, just me…there is no one else here…lol) It’s a big deal because it means it’s PARTY TIME!!!! Fertilizer Friday is the day of the week than an ELITE group of gardeners from all around the world get together, snap photos, link up and Flaunt Their Flowers!!!
If you are new to Tootsie Time and Fertilizer Friday, I just know you are asking yourself…”How do I join?”
Well…it’s easy really. Here’s all you need to know to become a part of this great group of gardeners, bloggers and friends:
If it is spring or summer where you live, you need to snap a few photos of what you have growing, blooming or just love to look at that is of the plant variety…if it is winter where you live, you may post past favorite photos…or indoor plants…whatever you like. The only criteria is that it is a plant or something growing! You do not need to use fertilizer to participate in this party, but if you do, this is the reminder to fertilize weekly! All I ask is that: Your post must include the logo above and/or a link to Tootsie Time, or the linky will be deleted.
So....I would like to invite each and every one of you to join in and share your photos...

Today I am going to tell you a little story…and share my newest addition to the Tootsie family!

As some of you already know, I took a little holiday this summer. My Cowboy and I decided to take a drive…across British Columbia. I live in Alberta Canada so…it was a nice long drive…with lots to see and take in. Every day we would get in the car and drive along from antique shop to antique shop all through our neighboring province. Each day we would drive and tour and sight see…and at the end of each day…in early evening, we would stop for the night.

One of the towns we stayed overnight in was Valemont British Columbia. We checked into our hotel, and decided to go downstairs to the restaurant in the hotel. This was a rather nice restaurant, and we were not the only ones in there having supper. It wasn’t busy, in there by a long shot, but we were not in there alone.

The best part of this restaurant was that it was decorated primarily with PLANTS!!! There were dozens of them all over the place. Now, because there were about four other tables of people sitting in there, I could not take a bunch of photos of the room, but I did take photos of one plant in particular that caught my eye.

As luck would have it, we were seated on a sofa in the back of the room, and along the windows…and behind the sofa there was this very unusual plant. I have never seen a plant like this one before…and I was intrigued. I could identify each and every plant in that room EXCEPT this one…and I NEEDED to have one of them….

…now I need to mention that this restaurant was rather large…and there was only one waitress working at this time…AND…she was …well…ok… lets be honest…she was not all that energetic. The service was very slow…we were actually starting to think she didn’t even know we were there when she finally came over to our table.

….so in fine Tootsie form…I started to snap a few photos…and try to zoom in so that I could get a little bit better look at this plant…It didn’t take long for me to need to see this up CLOSE. So….I went behind the sofa.

YES …yes I did…I crawled over the arm of the sofa…and casually crouched down behind it. YES….yes my Cowboy was indeed a little bit amused at this…but he was not surprised…not at all. He actually thought it rather funny.

This is the plant I was staring at with delight! It is called….are you ready???? It is called….Kalanchoe Daigremontiana . The common name for it is Mother- of Millions.

There were about 4 0r 5 pots of this species all lined up behind that sofa!!!

They were all right along the window to the patio outside…and there was no one really looking…so I wasn’t really drawing any attention to myself… hmmmmm….(evil grins)

Is this not the neatest plant??? Are those baby plants on the leaf???? Oh MY!!! Can you blame me for being thrilled at the sight of this unusual plant??????? REALLY…CAN ANYONE???

On the top of the soil in the pots there was a bunch of baby plants all popping up practically everywhere!!!

I could not get over how glorious this plant looks with all the little rosettes of baby plants all lined up between the thorns!!! They look like ruffles!!! (this one was sharing space in the pot with a spider plant )

Now I mentioned that there were 4 or 5 pots of this special little plant all lined up along the window…and YES I did consider slipping one under my t-shirt and dashing out the door…until I saw that some of those “ruffles” on the leaves appeared to in fact be SEED!!!!

Squealing in delight, I asked my Cowboy, (who was doing a wonderful job as look out guy…) to pass me a napkin. He just grinned, shook his head and passed it over…I think he might have been thinking I was going to try to wrap up one of the already growing plants and sneak it out…but instead I filled my napkin with as many seeds as I could in a hurry…and quietly slipped back into my seat on the sofa. I think he was relieved when I finally came back to my perch on the sofa…he is a very shy sort of cowboy…does not like to draw a lot of attention to himself most of the time…

I was so excited…I could barely contain myself…I was also anxious to get some of these seeds into some soil! That would have to wait because we still had almost a full week until we were to be returning home.

Once we were home, I posted a photo of this plant online and found out what it was called…(thanks guys) I then got a little bit busy, put the seeds down, and forgot all about them! A few days ago I was in the greenhouse, and came across them…and of course I felt that same surge of excitement as I gingerly placed them into some potting soil and set them on the counter.

The very next day I checked the pot, and to my delight…

GUESS WHAT ?!?!?!?!

I am officially the proud new owner of several MOTHER OF MILLIONS plants!

Kalanchoe Daigremontiana/ Mother-of-millions /Alligator plant is a succulent plant native to Madagascar and Africa,where it is considered a horrible weed. (I can relate to this…people are actually paying good money for chickweed and dandelion seeds online!!! I hate it…it is invasive and horrible!) However, in other places…such as Alberta… it is a much sought after, hard to find, yet very easy to care for house plant!!! (and I have some!!!! yay!!!)

In my area (Alberta Canada) The Mother-of-millions plant will only survive as a houseplant, as it would be killed by frost, and cold temperatures. In warmer climates Mother-of-millions is a very invasive species, as they multiply rapidly.

After only one day in the soil I had one! Two days later I have FIVE! There are only three in these photos…so you will have to take my word for it…ha ha! I imagine by the end of the weekend I will have several more!

If that Cowboy plays his cards right …I MIGHT even share and give him one for his house…MAYBE…if he’s nice. ha ha! Oh who am I kidding…he’s almost as excited as me about the seeds sprouting…after all…he was the lookout guy while I was hiding behind the sofa…picking seeds while we waited for our meal…I suppose I can give him ONE. I wonder…if someone would have been coming over to us, would he have warned me??? Or would he have pretended he didn’t know who I even was! Lucky for us we didn’t need to find out. I guess there is something to say about a waitress that wasn’t really all that energetic…ha ha! It definitely worked out well for me!

Now…before I continue to celebrate…I need to tell you a couple of important things about this unique plant…

ALL PARTS of these plants are highly toxic to humans and animals so it is important to make sure that you keep this plant out of reach of kids and curious pets. Be cautious with this plant and watch the area around it’s pot…as some of the rosettes/ babies may drop off of the plant and land on the floor.

Okay kids…that is all for me for this week…now it is your turn.,,,

What are you waiting for??? Get flaunting!

I wish all of you hugs and smiles, and safe and happy weekend plans! Thank you all so much for dropping in today, and to those that faithfully link in to this party…and who are patient while waiting for me to finally visit you…THANK YOU!

Until Next Time... Happy Gardening!

*)*)*) A fool knows everything, except their own ignorance…just sayin’

(¯`v´¯)
`*.¸.*´Glenda/Tootsie
¸.•´¸.•*¨) ¸.•*¨)
(¸.•´ (¸.•´ .•´ ¸¸.•¨¯`•.
www.tootsietime.com