Dangerous Plants In Your Home and Garden
Households that have pets or small children that have plants indoors or in the garden should be aware of the varieties of plants that can be harmful to humans and pets. While there are well known toxic plants such as poinsettias and deadly nightshade, there are also many common household plants that are poisonous and potentially deadly to both pets and humans.
Many people are not aware that something as common as an onion can be fatal if eaten by cats. Cats love to nibble on greenery so make sure that any harmful plants or flowers are kept out of reach.
Daffodils, Hyacinths, and Narcissus are beautiful flowering plants that can all cause serious stomach upset, high blood pressure, tremors, and irregular heartbeats if the bulbs are ingested. In some cases, consumption of the bulbs can even be fatal.
Oleander is well known for its toxicity along with Foxglove. These plants cause gastrointestinal upset, affect the heart, and can be deadly if eaten. Just handling these plants can cause dermatitis in individuals with sensitive skin, so it's best to
avoid direct contact and use gloves when handling these plants. Foxglove is especially dangerous because they have bell shaped buds are very attractive to children. Ingesting just a small amount can be deadly, and prior to death, the toxin can cause severe
abdominal pain, hallucinations, and tremors.
Castor Bean seeds and the Rosary Pea are extremely toxic to have around the house if you have small children or pets. Ingesting just a couple seeds can cause death in both animals and humans. The berries on the ornamental Daphne plant are also very toxic,
just touching the twigs can cause skin irritation. The Yew has poisonous foliage and berries that are very attractive to pets and other animals. Symptoms of Yew poisoning may include convulsions and difficulty in breathing.
It pays to have knowledge of the plants, shrubs, flowers and trees in and around your home. Protect your small children and pets by doing a little research on the plants and shrubbery that surround you and your loved ones.
When in doubt ask your local garden supply for information on any potential hazards associated with the plants you intend to purchase.
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