Having met some people on Ciao who share my interest in gardening, I feel inspired to carry on writing reviews on horticultural topics and this time bring to everyone's attention a subject which may also be of interest to gardeners andnon gardeners alike, who may have pets and young children and who may unwittingly come into contact with the many poisonous common gardenplants surreptitiously hiding in the most unsuspecting a person's back garden.
Over 100 common garden plants have been identified as capable of causing serious harm to you children or pets. Poor labelling of plants, shrubs and trees in many nurseries and garden centres does nothing to help the novice gardener looking to make a purchase to brighten up the family garden.
It is important that any parent or pet lover be aware of the dangers. A small child is particularly at risk because their immature digestive systems are less able to breakdown and eliminate poisonous substances.
Just a quick glance around my own garden has brought to light a few very attractive but deadly specimens which I am now having to deal with, as my daughter is coming close to toddler stage.
I have a large golden Yew on my rockery which every year produces some very bright, but highly poisonous red berries. On a border to the front of my lawn sits a group of Iris which grow large hanging poisonous pods which will now have to be monitored and removed in case my child should find them a curious play thing.
It would not really be possible to detail every poisonous plant on the list but here are a few of the most common culprits:
==================
Yew - berries
Laburnum - pods
Iris - underground stems and pods
Ruta ( can give a nasty rash and swelling on the skin or mouth if swallowed)
I'm sure that there are a few surprises in this list and I'm not advising that you go around your garden uprooting every azalea and daffodil in attempt to eliminate all risk. There are risks everywhere in life, I don't think swallowing a mouthful of shampoo or a bar of soap would do your child much good either!
The important thing is that you are aware of the possible dangers of anything that you are purchasing and your children are educated and supervised sufficiently to reduce the risk of any poisoning incident.
By all means remove poisonous berries and pods and avoid plants like Daphne, Oleander, Yew, Monkshood and Foxglove, but don't be put off the joys of gardening or allow the risks involved to step in the way of a childs willingness to cultivate a plot in a flower bed.
If you do suspect that your child has consumed or been harmed by a garden plant, then contact your doctor or accident and emergency department straight away.
They would be grateful if you could name or take a sample of the plant involved so that they can apply the best treatment. Symptoms to look out for are vomiting, tummy upset, and blistering to the skin and mouth - all following play in the garden.
When out purchasing plants, make sure that you ask if you are unsure of the properties of a particular plant or take with you a detailed plant encyclopedia. If more people ask before they buy then the horticultural industry will be encouraged to improve labelling.
Perhaps legislation should be introduced to ensure that all poisonous plants should come with a health warning!
Wow, that was an eye opener. I knew about a few of those, but not all, thanks for the advice - Suzyxx
magdadh 04.06.2004 13:47
Great job again, I found my rented garden with rhododendron in the middle (lovely one as well) and I planted some foxgloves by the walls despite some initila missgivings (not immediately accessible) since... but luckily my daughter has been well trained not to put any garden//plant matter in her mouth quite a while a go (we had yews in Poland...).
Discusses the cultural, social role of the fifty most significant species of poisonous ... more
plants and fungi found in Britain, either as natives or as introductions. This book covers the plants' histories and appearance, and their chemical constituents.
May 12th, 2004
exceptional by (4%):
very helpful by (92%):
helpful by (4%):
