Dieffenbachia is one of the most popular potted plants. It is easy to find in many Polish homes, but not everyone knows that its leaves are poisonous. Therefore, if we have small children or pets, it is worth placing diphenbachia on the highest possible shelf.

Dieffenbachia(picture family,Araceae ) is a plant from Brazil, which made itself at home in Europe in the 19th century thanks to the manor from an Austrian gardener who works there, whose surname, difenbachia, owes its name.

Dieffenbachia, a plant now known as home, has many species and varieties, so it is not easy to describe. It can be short or tall (up to about 2 m) and has characteristic oval, pointed leaves, which are usually not uniform in color - usually they are mottled or dark with a lighter pattern.

Dufenbachia blooms with narrow spiky flowers growing from the top of the stem.

Dieffenbachia: Brazilian Indian poison

The plant is pretty and easy to grow, which is why it is very popular in Poland. Especially since it is considered a plant that cleans the air of pollutants and toxins.

Unfortunately, it has been known for a long time that it is also a poisonous plant, so its cultivation at home must be very careful.

Sources say that diphenbachia in her native Brazil has been used by Indians for centuries to poison arrows. For this purpose, the warriors used the juice obtained from its leaves and stems.

In other regions this plant was used as a contraceptive because its consumption causes temporary infertility.

Today we know why: diphenbachia juice contains strychnine, a highly toxic chemical.

Dieffenbachia: dangerous to people

Diffenbachia juice is poisonous and, if ingested by humans or animals, is very hazardous to he alth - it is said to cause irritation in the throat and even its swelling, which can make it difficult or impossible to breathe.

There have also been reports of paralysis of the vocal cords after eating leaves making it impossible to speak.

Eating the leaves may also have negative effects on the heart and digestive tract, e.g. nausea, diarrhea.

The very contact with difenbachia juice is also dangerous - it can lead toeye irritation if we touch them with a dirty hand: severe tearing, photophobia, pain and spasms of the eyelids are observed, which may be felt for several weeks.

Juice also causes inflammation and other changes to the skin. Irritated areas on the body can cause bothersome symptoms: severe itching, burning, and even blisters that remain on the skin for around a day.

The contact of diphenbachia juice with the mucous membranes of e.g. the mouth can be even more dangerous: their irritation can cause pain, burning, numbness and swelling.

Dieffenbachia: threat to animals

Dieffenbachia is dangerous not only to people, but also to animals. It is known that its consumption by a cat or a dog can end badly. The leaves of the plant contain insoluble calcium oxalates and oxalic acid, which is harmful to tetrapods.

It causes irritation in the mouth and the mucosa there, causing pain and swelling. These substances can also be strong allergens for the cat, very dangerous for the pet.

Since it is sometimes difficult to judge whether the cat ate a leaf or not, it is worth knowing the symptoms of diphenbachia juice poisoning.

An animal that has gnawed at a plant may salivate excessively and may not have appetite due to soreness in the mouth and tongue.

Breathing problems caused by swelling and narrowing of the airways are also common. A cat may develop diarrhea, abdominal pain and vomiting after eating diphenbachia.

Important

Dieffenbachia: precautions

  • always use rubber gloves when caring for difenbachia
  • if for some reason you have de alt with the juice of a plant, e.g. when transplanting a plant or removing its leaves, be sure to wash your hands
  • do not touch your eyes or mouth with your hands soiled with the juice of the leaves, especially the injured places, e.g. wounds after a cut
  • if your child has eaten a diphenbachia leaf, be sure to rinse their mouth with water or milk; then see your doctor for a life-threatening assessment (e.g. shortness of breath due to a swollen throat) - gastric lavage may sometimes be necessary to remove toxins from the body

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