Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: WEDNESDAY, June 21, 1995 TAG: 9506210081
SECTION: CURRENT PAGE: NRV-11 EDITION: NEW RIVER VALLEY
SOURCE: JOE HUNNINGS
DATELINE: LENGTH: Medium
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.
Ice cream can make us sick if we consume it in disproportionate amounts. In short, there's no need to fear all plants in the landscape and keep our children locked in boxes to avoid risk.
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 caution. 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 or make them afraid of plant life. Instead, there is a great need to change the child's perspective to that of respect 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 Lily of the Valley (Convallaria majalis), 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 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 not to 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 (Lacustrine) - 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.
Joe Hunnings is the Virginia Cooperative Extension agent for agriculture in the Montgomery County Extension office in Christiansburg. If you have questions, call him at 382-5790.
by CNB