Lamprocapnos spectabilis, the bleeding heart, is a popular ornamental plant that stands out for its unique flower shape. These are shaped like pink hearts and it seems like they are shedding a tear. Anyone who wants to plant a Bleeding Heart in the garden or keep it as a container plant on the balcony often asks themselves whether this type of fumitory (bot. Fumarioideae) is poisonous or not. The reason for this is usually the shape of the flower.
toxicity
Yes, the Bleeding Heart is a poisonous plantIt was not for nothing that it was voted poisonous plant of the year in 2022. The poisonous plant of the genus Lamprocapnos comes from Korea and China and grows there in sparse mountain forests, which mainly consist of deciduous trees. Like so many other plants, the beauty of the plant is actually intended as a deterrent, which is noticeable by the intense pink color. However, the components show how toxic the plant is:
1. Secondary plant substances
The plant contains a large number of secondary plant substances, which are mainly responsible for the coloring of the flowers. This gives the Bleeding Heart its typical coloring, which varies from white to pink and is one of the main distinguishing features of the plant, of course based on the shape of the flower.
2. Protopine
The bleeding heart also forms toxic alkaloids, above all protopine. This is an isoquinoline alkaloid that primarily affects the central nervous system. These alkaloids are a form of neurotoxin and have even been researched to be one of the causes of Parkinson's disease. Protopine is found exclusively in the poppy family, which includes the Bleeding Heart. One of the best-known representatives is of course the opium poppy (bot. Papaver somniferum), from which opium is obtained, which in turn is processed into heroin. However, the concentration of protopine in the bleeding heart is quite low.
Protopine is what makes the plant toxic and can affect humans and animals, especially your pet. However, the concentration of the alkaloid in Lamprocapnos spectabilis is not always the same. By itself, all parts of the plant are potently poisonous, but these are root, which store the greatest amount of protopine. For this reason, the roots of the plant in particular should not be eaten.
effect on people
Humans are most endangered in Central Europe, since Lamprocapnos spectabilis is kept here as an ornamental plant. That means people are often in contact with the plant and need to protect themselves from poisoning. Children in particular should be kept away from the Bleeding Heart, as the flowers look pretty and interesting for the little explorers. Poisoning can even occur in small children if they play with the flowers or leaves for a long time and then put their hands in their mouths. The following symptoms may occur after eating individual parts of the plant:
- Gastrointestinal complaints
- Burning in the mouth and throat
- burning eyes when plant is touched and then eyes are touched
- Vomit
- diarrhea
- signs of paralysis
- Circulatory failure in sensitive people, the elderly and children
- less often: shortness of breath, slight hallucinations, headache
First aid
Despite the symptoms, the bleeding heart is considered not highly toxic and fatalities are extremely rare. If you or your family members have consumed parts of the plant, you should take the following measures:
- keep Calm
- Remove plant parts from your mouth as much as possible
- keep them for the doctor
- do not let affected person vomit
- Give water or tea
- Contact poison control center
- alternatively call an ambulance
- consult a doctor in case of minor symptoms
The measures should be like this quiet as possible but done with determination and quickly enough, especially if large amounts of the plant have been consumed.
tip: Also make sure to always wear gloves when grooming as the toxins can enter the body through the skin. Especially sensitive people and children are affected, which can lead to mild symptoms of poisoning.
Effect on Pets
The plant is just as toxic to your pet as it is to humans. The following applies here: The smaller the animal, the stronger the symptoms with the same amount of plant parts consumed. Cats suffer from a bleeding heart faster than a Doberman Pinscher. A Yorkshire Terrier, on the other hand, is at risk in the same way. It is particularly problematic with cats, rodents and rabbits, as they naturally gnaw on plants and do not even stop at poisonous plants. There are only a few differences in the symptoms and they are very similar to those of humans. However, the following are added:
- heavy salivation
- general unrest
- apathy
You should keep your copy of The Bleeding Heart like this for this reason unreachable as possible, for example by using wire barriers. Especially when planted out in the garden, the plant can be dangerous for your four-legged friend. Puppies in particular are often interested in the flowers and try to play with them like children. This can lead to the parts of the plant being swallowed. In this case, you should keep calm, try to give the animal water and immediately to a vet walk. Don't forget to take leftovers of the plant with you.
tip: Since the bleeding heart comes from East Asia and, despite its popularity, does not grow wild in Germany, it usually does not pose a threat to farm animals or farm animals. Only people who keep animals for themselves and have easy access to the garden have to be careful that they do not nibble on buttercups (bot. Ranunculales).
notice: Please note that this article is by no means a substitute for a doctor's visit. There is no guarantee of the correctness of medical statements.
Detailed information on first aid in the event of poisoning and important information on the poison control centers can be found here.