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The word ‘poison’ is often interpreted as a deadly substance which, if ingested, causes death. A more suitable definition for our purpose however, is a substance that has any adverse health effect.
By this definition, the effects of ‘poisonous’ plants can range from mild skin irritation to death. Contact with poison ivy, for example, may cause irritation while the ingestion of Ricin, the principal toxin in the Castor Bean, even in minute quantities, will cause death. There are many types of harmful substances to be found in plants.
Plant poisonings are preventable by the exercise of a little common sense and judgment. Prevention is the best antidote for poisonings and here is a simple five-step strategy which anyone can use:
(1) Identify your plants
(2) Learn which plants are poisonous, and which are not
(3) Display plants safely
(4) Teach children never to eat non-food plants (either indoors or outdoors)
(5) Prepare for emergencies
Plant Identification
If you cannot identify the plants in and around your home and garden, you cannot know whether they are dangerous or not. Qualified horticulturists can often help you identify plants, at which time you should write the names down (preferably on tags attached to the plants) and keep them on hand for future reference.
It is extremely important that you know the botanical or Latin names of your plants. Common or everyday names are often acquired by accident or are the product of whim or fancy. Also, some plants have several different common names, resulting in inevitable confusion. Botanical names are the only sure way to be certain of identity, since by international scientific agreement, only one botanical name is assigned to each plant species.
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One method of identifying plants correctly is to purchase only plants with the botanical name attached. Other methods include visual identification by horticulturists, arborists or florists. In addition colour photographs are often available in bookstores, libraries and on the internet.
Which Plants are Dangerous?
Once you have identified your plants by botanical name, simple research will enable classification by relative toxicity. Your regional Poison Control Centre, library and the internet are reliable sources of this information. Information is available from the Canadian Poisonous Plants Information System website at:- www.cbif.gc.ca/pls/pp/poison and also from the following websites: www.serenataflowers.com/Poisonous-Flowers-and-Plants
www.ehs.okstate.edu/links/poison.htm
www.mjjsales.com/articles/common-household-poisonous-plants.html
A simple rule is, if there is any doubt the identity of any plant, always assume it is highly toxic and act accordingly. Remember, for example, that many deaths occur each year as a result of eating poisonous wild mushrooms – very similar to a common food plant, but deadly nonetheless.
FIRST AID AND IN CASE OF EMERGENCY:
· Keep calm and keep the child calm
· Be alert for adverse reactions or symptoms (which should be reported to a health professional)
· Determine how much material has been ingested
· Call your Poison Control Centre (in the Greater Toronto Area 416-813-5900 or 1-800-268-9017) and follow their directions
· First Aid Instructions are also found on Sick Children’s Hospital’s website: www.sickkids.ca/poisoninformationcentre and click on the Navigational Bar – Plants.
· If the situation appears to be critical, call 911
· If directed to a hospital, take the plant (or part of it) with you
Humber Nurseries works with the Poison Control Centre in the Greater Toronto Area to help identify plants. The list of potentially dangerous plants is too extensive to be included here but some common plants which require caution or extreme caution are listed below.
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