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The Dieffenbachia (also: Schweigrohr, giftaron) originally comes from South America and is mainly native to Brazil. It is a popular houseplant because of its evergreen leaves with pretty white or yellow markings. Since it needs little sun and is otherwise quite easy to care for, it is ideal for people who have little experience with plants. However, the Dieffenbachia is poisonous and should therefore be handled with care.
toxicity
Which parts of the Dieffenbachia are poisonous?
There are numerous different types of Dieffenbachia, which are difficult to distinguish from one another, but have one thing in common: all parts of the plant are poisonous, especially their stem, but also the leaf stalks and the leaves themselves. The poison of the plant is so strong that already 3 up to 4 grams of the leaves of the plant have a lethal effect in adult humans. The two species Dieffenbachia seguine and Dieffenbachia picta are considered to be particularly poisonous.
Attention: Not only the plant parts themselves, but also drained irrigation water can contain toxins!
toxins
What toxins does the plant contain?
It has not yet been conclusively clarified which toxins are contained in the Dieffenbachia. However, it is known that the plant parts contain the following active ingredients, among others.
- alkaloids
- calcium oxalate
- cyanogenic glycosides
- proteolytic enzymes
- saponins
- pungent substances
In addition, the plants contain calcium oxalate needles about 0.25 millimeters in size, through which toxic substances such as oxalic acid flow. When the plant is touched, so-called shooting cells open, through which the calcium oxalate needles and other toxins are ejected.
toxin intake
What are the risks for people, especially children/babies, when touching or swallowing?
Touching the sap can cause skin irritation and blistering. If the sap gets into the eyes, it causes profuse tearing and eyelid spasms and can burn the conjunctiva. There is a risk of injury and permanent damage to the cornea.
Typical symptoms of poisoning appear when parts of the plant are swallowed: reddened and burning mucous membranes, increased salivation, swallowing and speaking problems, swollen tongue, cardiac arrhythmias, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, drowsiness and signs of paralysis
Tip: When repotting, dusting or pruning the plant, it is best to wear gloves, long sleeves and safety glasses. The latter protects you from accidentally getting the poison in your eyes!
risks to animals
What are the risks for animals, e.g. typical pets such as cats, dogs, etc?
Dieffenbachia poison is extremely dangerous for animals such as dogs, cats, rabbits, guinea pigs, hamsters and birds. Poisoned animals show symptoms such as severe irritation of the mouth, throat, stomach and intestines.
They have difficulty swallowing, suffer from shortness of breath and lose their voice. Bloody diarrhea occurs in some pets. However, gastrointestinal problems tend to be the exception, since the animals leave the plant immediately after the first symptoms appear. The symptoms usually only subside after a few days. However, ingesting parts of the plant causes infertility in some animals. In the worst case, poisoning with Dieffenbachia can be fatal for pets.
Notice: Especially if you can't always keep an eye on the animal and be in the same room with the poisonous plant, always think about the danger of poisoning. In the event of poisoning, act quickly and - if symptoms appear - consult a veterinarian as soon as possible.
measures
How should one react when touched or eaten?
First you should carefully remove any plant debris that may still be in your mouth. Spit out any fibers and then rinse your mouth thoroughly. You can drink, but avoid milk because it can increase the absorption of toxins in the stomach. Some experts recommend taking charcoal powder or charcoal tablets, which are supposed to bind the toxins in the stomach. If in doubt, you should call the poison control center and get further first aid instructions.
As soon as health problems such as the symptoms mentioned above occur, you should definitely consult a doctor. If your child has touched or swallowed parts of the Dieffenbachie, take these first aid measures and keep a close eye on them. If in doubt, contact your pediatrician directly!
Notice: These measures also apply - if possible - to the poisoning of animals. For further first aid measures, please take your animal to the veterinarian or call the local animal emergency number. Note that due to their lower body weight, animals are at greater risk of poisoning from even a small amount of Dieffenbachia.
prevention
What precautions are recommended?
children
Tip: In order to avoid accidents, families with small children or pets should avoid the Dieffenbachia as a houseplant and prefer to use alternatives.
If you still want to have a plant of this type at home, you should take the following precautions.
- place the plant only in lockable rooms where children cannot get in alone
- place the plant as high as possible, for example on a high shelf or in a hanging basket under the ceiling
- Inform older children that the Dieffenbachia is poisonous and explain what can happen if they touch the leaves or other parts of the plant
pets
Since pets unfortunately often do not understand any prohibitions and certainly no explanations, you should refrain from cultivating the plant here. Alternatively, you can only set up the Dieffenbachie in rooms where dogs, cats or birds are sure not to get in. And watch out for the water! Some animals drink it and in this way ingest the toxins it contains.
Sources:
http://gizbonn.de/fileadmin/user_upload/daten/Ratgeber_Vergiftungsunfaelle_GIZ_BN.pdf
http://www.gifte.de/giftpflanzen/dieffenbachia_seguine.htm
https://www.animal-learn.de/tipps-rund-um-den-hund-kat/115-giftpflanzen.html
https://de.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dieffenbachia
https://www.netdoktor.de/giftpilze-giftpflanzen/dieffenbachie-12435.html