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Wisteria is a majestic climbing shrub that can grow up to 20 meters tall. Its summer green foliage consists of decorative pinnate leaves. In spring, it inspires with hanging, blue flower clusters, which turn into legumes up to 15 cm long in late summer. In view of so much floral splendor, the question arises as to how toxic wisteria is to humans and animals. Read about the toxicity here.
Harmful ingredients
Wisteria is permeated with various ingredients that can cause poisoning in humans. Since these toxins differ in terms of their type, concentration and effect on the organism, they are described in detail below.
lectin
Lectin in seeds and pods
Lectins are contained in almost all legumes and trigger health problems when raw or in higher concentrations. Garden beans can only be safely eaten when they are cooked through.
The fruits of the miracle tree contain lectins in the form of ricin in such high doses that even a few grams are deadly. Thus, the legumes of a Wisteria should also be treated with caution. Eating 2 seeds in children and 3 seeds or more in adults causes the following symptoms of poisoning.
Poisoning Symptoms:
- dilated pupils
- facial pallor
- severe headache
- nausea and vomiting
- stomach cramps and diarrhea
In the worst case, the consumption of large amounts of pods and seeds causes a circulatory collapse, which ends fatally with subsequent cardiac arrest. Fatally, the legumes have an irresistible appeal to children, bursting with a loud bang when ripe to eject the seeds.
Wistarin
Wistarin in bark and roots
You won't eliminate the toxic hazard by pruning the wilted flowers of a wisteria in time for the legumes to grow. There are other toxins in the bark and roots. This is Wistarin, a glycoside found exclusively in wisteria.
Scientists have not yet made a definitive classification of the danger. The fact is that this plant toxin is absorbed through skin contact or consumption. Above an unknown amount, Wistarin damages the central nervous system and causes vomiting and even acute respiratory paralysis.
Consuming bark and roots in harmful amounts is unlikely because Wistarin has a very unpleasant, bitter taste. Ingestion through skin contact is more likely to occur. This is especially true if gardeners do not protect themselves against contact with the plant sap by wearing gloves when pruning.
alkaloids
Alkaloids in all plant parts
Scientists have identified more than 10,000 alkaloids in the plant world. These organic compounds are all toxic and signal their presence with a bitter taste.
If alkaloids get into the organism by eating or touching them, they have - depending on the type - a characteristic, mostly health-threatening effect. Although the alkaloids found in wisteria are comparatively harmless, they can still trigger dermatitis and other painful skin irritations in sensitive people as a result of skin contact.
First Aid Measures
First aid measures in case of poisoning
If the typical symptoms of blue rain poisoning appear in adults or children, there is an immediate need for action. Make the emergency call first. While waiting for medical attention, take these first aid measures.
Measures:
- give the child or adult water or tea to drink in small sips
- do not, under any circumstances, allow them to drink milk or induce vomiting in any way
- administer medicinal charcoal only as directed by a physician
- After skin contact, clean the affected skin areas under running water
- if unconscious, check breathing and carry out resuscitation measures if necessary
- If the person breathes independently, bring them into the stable side position
Please keep calm, because panic aggravates the symptoms of those affected. Cover the person warmly and stay with them. Whenever possible, maintain eye contact during all actions.
Toxic to animals
Toxic to dogs and cats
The toxins lurking in wisteria also pose a life-threatening hazard to dogs and cats. Given their smaller body size, even small amounts are enough to induce vomiting, diarrhea, circulatory collapse and cardiac arrest. Therefore, act immediately if your pet has eaten from a wisteria.
Measures:
- take all plant residues out of the mouth and secure them in a bag
- move the tongue out and open the airways
- contact the veterinarian immediately
- call one of the poison control centers outside of office hours
Please do not self-medicate, such as administering fluids or inducing vomiting. Take plant parts or vomit with you to the vet. The more concretely the cause of the poisoning can be identified, the more effective measures the veterinarian can take.
By the way, wisteria is not only toxic to dogs and cats. Likewise, the various parts of the plant can be fatal to guinea pigs, rabbits, hamsters or birds. Even large horses are not immune to the toxins. Therefore, never use the leaves, flowers, pods or roots of Wisteria as green fodder or dispose of clippings in a pasture.
Alternative climbing plants
Alternative climbing plants for the family garden
In view of the poison content, a Japanese or Chinese wisteria is not suitable for every ornamental garden. Where there are small children, dogs and cats, there is great interest in fast-growing, hardy climbing plants that are not dangerous to touch. We looked around the realm of Mother Nature and put together the following alternatives for you.
Grape Vines (Vitis)
With their liana-like tendrils, vines are on a par with wisteria in terms of growth potential. Varieties such as the grape variety 'Vanessa' or 'Birstaler Muskat' green up climbing aids in no time with an annual growth of up to 300 cm. The advantage for the family garden is that vines are not only completely non-toxic, but also produce juicy-sweet table grapes in autumn.
Climbing hydrangeas (Hydrangea anomala)
In contrast to the twining wisteria, a climbing hydrangea has attachment organs. Thus, it is not necessarily dependent on a climbing aid for the greening of facades, arbors and pergolas. You can enjoy the magnificent flowers in summer without restrictions, because this climbing shrub is not poisonous in any way.
Climbing Roses (Pink)
They take their time growing and are often armed with thorns. Nevertheless, climbing roses are a suitable alternative to wisteria. Depending on the variety, they reach a climbing height of 2 to 15 meters and bloom several times a year. It is important for the garden with children and pets that they do not carry any harmful ingredients with them.
Unfortunately, most other climbing artists are not a suitable alternative because they also contain toxins. This applies, for example, to clematis (Clematis), honeysuckle (Lonicera), spindle shrub (Euonymus fortunei), Virginia creeper (Parthenocissus quinquefolia) or trumpet vine (Campsis).