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The schefflera, also known as ray macaw or botanically as schefflera arboricola, originated in Taiwan. The plant owes its name to its dark, fleshy leaves. Namely, they are arranged in the form of rays. In the majority of Aralia species, the foliage is dark green and shiny, as if coated with varnish. This gives the schefflera another name: lacquer leaf.
As a houseplant, the Schefflera arboricola is an extremely easy-care plant. In just a few years, Schefflera arboricola grows to quite an impressive size. She grows up to 30 centimeters a year. As a green companion in rooms, the lacquer leaf promotes a good indoor climate. Because the Schefflera is able to filter pollutants, such as nicotine, out of the air. However, Schefflera arboricola is poisonous itself.
toxicity
Poisonous parts of plants
Without exception, all parts of the lacquer sheet are poisonous. The toxins are found in the root as well as in the stems, flowers, fruits and foliage. Since the Schefflera as a houseplant only very rarely forms flowers or fruits with seeds, the shoots of the plant are primarily important as a source of danger. In the highest concentration, however, the poison crystals are found in the leaves of the radiant macaw.
toxin
Only one substance is responsible for the toxic effect of the radiant aralie: oxalate. It is contained in the form of crystals. They make the plant poisonous. However, oxalate is only deadly in very high doses. This is because oxalate is a substance that is quite common in nature. That's called ubiquitous. Oxalate is even partly ingested by both humans and animals through food. However, these are only very small traces of oxalate.
Sheep and cattle, for example, which as grazing animals often consume a large amount of the substance, survive very large and toxic amounts of oxalate by converting this substance. In addition to enzymes, intestinal bacteria, Oxalobacter formigenes, are also involved. This bacterium is also found in the intestines of humans. Cats and dogs, on the other hand, are unable to break down oxalate in large concentrations via their digestive tract. If the concentration of oxalate in humans and in smaller animals such as dogs and cats exceeds a certain value, the toxic effect occurs.
Here's what you should know about oxalate:
- Oxalate is found in very small doses in almost all plants
- Among the more well-known plants that contain traces of oxalate are parsley, pepper, star fruit, spinach or buckwheat
- Oxalate forms small crystals when excreted through the kidneys
toxin intake
The concentration of oxalate in the lacquer leaf is much higher than in edible plants that are harmless to humans. This substance has a toxic effect in the stomach and intestines, especially when parts of the plant are eaten.
What you need to consider:
Even with mere contact with the skin, the toxin is absorbed. Because it is also found in traces on the surface of the leaves. If the foliage is kinked or cut, oxalate crystals emerge in greater concentrations from the fracture or cutting points. Therefore, plant lovers should always wear gloves when cutting the lacquer leaf.
toxic effect
Effect of the poison on the human body
Oxalate has an irritating effect on skin contact. It irritates the skin, causing redness and, in relatively rare cases, swelling on the skin's surface. When consumed, oxalate acts on the digestive tract and triggers the following reactions in the body.
- Irritation on the mucous membranes in the mouth and throat
- nausea
- Vomit
- diarrhea
These effects occur very quickly, usually within ten to twenty minutes after ingesting the oxalate. The effect of the substance lasts for several hours, and in particularly severe cases, such as after taking higher doses, for several days.
The following are increasingly evident:
- persistent gastrointestinal pain
- loss of appetite
- slackness
toddlers
Take precautions with children
Young children generally touch anything they find interesting. Glossy leaves like those of the Scheffleria are attractive. The greatest danger is that children put parts of the plant in their mouths.
Tip: Display the scheffleria where children cannot reach it. Because the skin of children is sensitive and sometimes reacts more strongly to touch than the skin of adults. If there are small children in the house, it is therefore advisable not to use the lacquer leaf as a houseplant.
First aid
First Aid for Radiation Aralia Poisoning
children
When poisoning by swallowing plant parts, it is best to give the child a larger amount of water to drink. The liquid helps soothe irritation in the stomach and intestines.
Tip:
- give the child only still water
- be sure to avoid milk
- Milk may emulsify and enhance the effects of the poison
cats
Toxic effect on cats
Contact with the Schefflera can have harmful consequences for cats. It is not only a single consumption of parts of the plant that has a mildly poisonous to poisonous effect on these smaller pets.
Did you know that:
… cats develop a sometimes quite intimate relationship with green plants. To get rid of hairballs, they nibble on them extensively. This triggers nausea, which in principle is not dangerous. But if cats nibble on a Scheffleria for a long time, this leads to gradual poisoning.
Cats react in a special way
They do not break down oxalate crystals in the gut. Cats excrete some of these crystals through the kidneys. However, larger kidney stones can form. In addition, oxalate damages the sensitive bladder and can even trigger arthritis.
Typical symptoms of poisoning:
- Tremble
- saliva
- Vomit
- diarrhea
- stagger
- persistent imbalance
- loss of appetite
First aid for schefflera poisoning:
- give the animal water
- this lowers the concentration of the toxin in the intestinal tract
- be sure to consult a veterinarian
- it is possible that the cat has been nibbling on the plant for a long time
- therefore, the doctor must initiate measures against possible kidney stones
Important tip:
- do not treat the cat yourself
- in no case do not give the animal oil or milk to make it vomit;
- this binds the venom in the body and does even more harm
- leave the trading to an expert
- Under no circumstances should you underestimate the long-term effects, but leave the procedure to the experts
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.