Transcript Toxic Plants

Toxic Plants
INTERNAL POISONING CAUSED BY
EATING PLANT PARTS:
Gastrointestinal Irritants
1. Oxalates
 POISON LOCATION:
 The greatest concentration of the toxin occurs in
the leaves.
 POISON TYPE:
 CALCIUM OXALATE, a compound derived from
oxalic acid, as well as enzymes which trigger
the release of histamine in the bloodstream of
persons who ingest the leaves.
 Oxalates are needle-like crystals, which, when
eaten, may pierce the mouth, throat & digestive
tract as they pass through, causing, at the very
least, intense discomfort.
TYPICAL POISONING SCENARIO:
The main problem lies with infants,
toddlers, or pets who, once attracted to the
showy flowers and foliage, may nibble on
the leaves.
If ARUMS are kept out of curious mouths,
there is little further risk, as they are quite
safe to handle. Poisonous Oxalates of
calcium & potassium are also present,
with oxalic acid, in the leaves of the
familiar RHUBARB, a member of the
Buckwheat Family, but ironically, its red
stems are edible in moderation
Arum
Rhubarb
SYMPTOMS:
Even small doses of Oxalate toxin is
enough to cause intense sensations of
burning in the mouth and throat, swelling,
and choking.
In larger doses, however, Oxalate causes
severe digestive upset, breathing
difficulties and- if enough is consumedconvulsions, coma and death. Recovery
from severe oxalate poisoning is possible,
but permanent liver and kidney damage
may have occurred.
 Acute poisoning
1. Local irritation of the mouth, esophagus
and stomach with pain and vomiting
2. Muscular tremors
3. If oxalate ingested acute renal failure
may occur from blocking of renal tubules
by Ca-oxalates
 Chronic poisoning
 Renal impairment
 Gangrene
NOTES:
The reduction in viable Ca leads to violent
muscular stimulation with convulsion and
collapse.
5-15 g are fatal
The principle manifestation of oxalic acid
poisoning is anuria.
The kidney show cloudy
Plants containing Oxalates
ARUMS belong to a large, mainly tropical
family of plants the Araceae. All Arums
typically have unique flowers, consisting of
a spike of reduced male or female organs,
or both, surrounded by a showy petal-like
leaf, a bract, which is often colourful.
ARUMS are best known to us as
ornamental houseplants, such as
CALADIUM,
DIFFENBACHIA
PHILODENDRONS
ANTHURIUM,
Caladium
CALADIUM, which is popular as an
indoor ornamental, is a tropical
member of the Araceae family. Like
other Arums, CALADIUM contains
Oxalate crystals. If eaten, the leaves
may cause burning, swelling, and
choking. Fortunately, handling the
plant is perfectly safe, unless you're
in the habit of watering it when your
Significant Other has already done
so.
DIFFENBACHIA
DIFFENBACHIA OR DUMBCANE is a
tropical member of the Araceae family. It is
a popular indoor ornamental in Nova
Scotia because it tolerates low light & dry
heat. Like other Arums, DIFFENBACHIA
contains Oxalate crystals. If eaten, the
leaves may cause burning, swelling, and
choking. Fortunately, handling the plant is
perfectly safe, unless you drop the pot on
your foot, or the cat.
Dieffenbachia
PHILODENDRON
PHILODENDRON is a tropical
member of the Araceae family. It is a
popular indoor ornamental in Nova
Scotia because of its spectacular
foliage and low maintenance
requirements. Unfortunately, like
other Arums,
 PHILODENDRONS contain Oxalate crystals.
If eaten, the leaves may cause burning, swelling,
and choking.
 Even handling the plant less than safe- and we
don't mean walking into a door while carrying the
plant in front of you. If the skin is exposed to the
latex, where the abrasive Oxalate crystals are
found, an uncomfortable skin rash can develop.
So- enjoy your Philodendron, but watch it taking
cuttings for Mom, eh?
PHILODENDRON
ANTHURIUM
 ANTHURIUM OR ARROWHEAD is a native of
tropical America and the Pacific Islands which is
a popular ornamental in the centrally heated
environments of office blocks. If you eat the
leaves while waiting for that 10 am appointment,
the Oxalate crystals may pass unchanged
through your digestive system, or they may
cause burning, swelling, and choking.
Garden Sorrel
Rheum palaestinum
Treatment
 Precipitate oxalate by giving calcium in any form
orally, as milk, chalk, Ca-gluconate, Ca-chloride
or Ca-lactate.
 Do not use gastric lavage or emesis if tissue
corrosion has occur
 10g of Ca-lactate in lavage or emesis fluids
 As antidote give 10% ca-gluconate or chloride,
10ml iv slowly.
Supportive Therapy
Give demulcents, milk, oil, aluminummagnesium hydroxide.
Cold packs to lips and gums
Antihistamins