Hoja is a plant in which milk juice flows. It is toxic, so this popular potted flower should not be placed near playing children. What are the symptoms of hoi poisoning?
Hoja( HoyaR.Br.) came to us from very far away. The natural habitat of hoi is the areas of South Asia, Australia and New Guinea.
Hoja genus includes nearly 200 species of plants. They are ornamental climbers or small shrubs with characteristic, thick, fleshy leaves and beautiful, colorful flowers.
In floriculture the most popular variety is rose haya.
Hoja: honey plant
As a newcomer from the tropics, the plant requires relatively high temperatures. This means that in our latitude we can only grow it at home.
Hoja is large, it can even reach 3 meters, so it is perfect for large rooms, living rooms and office spaces.
Despite the fact that it is a demanding climber, sensitive to many factors, such as excess water or sun, plant lovers are willing to cultivate it, because the effects reward the effort put into taking care of hoya.
Hoja is a beautiful plant. It produces white, yellow or pink flowers that form like waxed inverted "umbrellas".
In the evening and at night, the hoja emits an intensely fragrant liquid that has a characteristic honey aroma and taste.
It is not poisonous, unlike the milk juice found in the leaves and stems of the plant.
Hoja: poisonous milky juice
We all know the saying "there is no rose without thorns". Hoja also has its dark side, because it also has to defend itself against the temptations of herbivores. Hoja is a poisonous plant that is dangerous to human and animal he alth.
The aforementioned milk juice is found in its shoots and leaves and it is released when they are damaged - breaks, breaks.
Milk juice is a substance that is characteristic of many plants. It contains various substances, but incl. those with a toxic effect (e.g. alkaloids). This is the case with hoi, whose milk juice is extremely irritating to the skin.
This means that all treatments around hoi should be done with protective gloves to prevent the juice from coming into direct contact with the body.
If, despite caution, it happensirritation, wash skin quickly with water.
It can be very painful to irritate your eyes with hoi juice, e.g. when you touch them with a dirty hand. Of course, you must not eat the leaves or stems of hoi, but if, for example, it happens to our child, it is necessary to rinse the mouth and provoke vomiting to remove harmful substances from his body.
Hoja: keep an eye on animals
The same danger applies to our pets. Hoja, like many plants, defends itself with its irritating juice against insects and herbivores.
Therefore, when bitten by a cat or a dog, it can cause stomach upset and irritate the mouth.
Fortunately, hoi milk juice is very bitter, which scares off pets. Still, if an amateur of hoi leaves eats more of them, it is worth taking them to the vet.
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