Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: THURSDAY, November 30, 1995 TAG: 9511300026
SECTION: CURRENT PAGE: NRV-10 EDITION: NEW RIVER VALLEY
SOURCE: JOE HUNNINGS
DATELINE: LENGTH: Medium
Plants poison in a variety of ways. Most plants must be ingested to become toxic, while others, when touched can cause skin reactions. Toxicity depends on the amount of plant material ingested. For example, all parts of the sunflower (Helianthus annuus) are slightly toxic. Sunflower seeds are a popular snack food. They are an example of toxicity as a function of ingested amount. Can't ice cream make us sick if consumed in excessive amounts?
Just because a plant produces poisonous berries or leaves does not automatically exclude it from use in a home landscape. In "Plants in 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 precaution. 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.
Children can learn to respect all plant life so that they have less risk of exposure to dangers. The education process provides an 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 Convallaria majalis (lily-of-the-valley), are at ground level and much more of a concern for toddlers or small children than 10-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 creatures. These berries appeal not only to wildlife, but also to small children.
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 to not eat any plant parts without adult supervision until they are old enough to be certain that the plant is safe to eat.
Common landscape plants and their|
toxic parts|
Yew (Taxus) seeds
Privet (Ligustrum) 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
by CNB