Potentially Harmful Plants Information Sheet
The Meaning of the Warning Texts
The texts contain a number of set phrases. These are interpreted below.
CAUTION
This warning is given for the plants with a relatively high hazard rating.
Where bed labels or other promotional material is used, the warning text should
appear on the bed label or other promotional material as well as on the label.
Toxic if eaten
These plants are poisonous. Even quite small quantities can be harmful. Often
the whole plant is poisonous, although it is usually berries or seeds which are eaten.
Children are most at risk from accidental poisoning, especially the under five
age group, who may find berries and other plant parts attractive to eat.
However, a remarkable number of adults also are poisoned through mistakenly
identifying the plant as something edible. Daffodil bulbs are often mistaken for
onions.
Houseplants which are toxic are not recommended for households with children
under five. If part of such a plant is eaten, immediate medical advice should be
sought.
Harmful if eaten
These plants contain poison but pose less risk. If part of such a plant is
eaten, it is advisable to seek medical advice.
Skin irritant
These plants may cause skin reactions on handling. Symptoms often include
dermatitis-type reactions, local inflammation, itching and blistering. Sometimes
this is only temporary and of no lasting importance, such as the well-known ‘hyacinth
itch’, but in some cases reactions can be very severe. Skin irritation from
daffodils and tulips is usually associated with extensive handling of the cut
flowers.
Skin irritation, if severe or persistent, should be referred to a doctor or
casualty unit.
Eye irritant
Eye irritation is caused by sap getting into the eye, by splash, or through
wiping the eye with a contaminated finger. However, in the case of
Fremontodendron the irritation is caused by minute hairs brushed off the plant
surface.
May cause skin allergy (skin allergen)
Skin allergies affect only certain people. Repeated exposure to a plant may
cause a skin allergy to develop. Once a person becomes allergic to a substance, they
usually remain sensitive to it. The substance causing the allergy may be found in several
plant groups. The person may then become sensitive to all the plants
simultaneously.
For example, people who are allergic to sticking plasters are often allergic
to a wide range of conifers. This is because the allergy is caused by an
ingredient of the pine resin used in the manufacture of the adhesive used in
sticking plasters. That substance naturally occurs not only in pines, but many
other conifers.
People allergic to sticking plasters react to a Cupressocyparis leylandii.
The resulting
dermatitis can be serious. It is usually caused when carrying out severe
pruning, which is
often required because of the tree’s rapid growth. Other conifers may give
the same reaction, but pose less risk because they less often require such
drastic pruning.
The irritation from alstroemeria and chrysanthemums is usually associated
with extensive handling of the cut flowers. Chrysanthemums can cause irritation to the skin
of amateur chrysanthemum enthusiasts.
Severely toxic to skin with sunlight
A small number of plants have sap which renders the skin excessively
sensitive to strong sunlight. Contact with the plant followed by exposure to sunlight results in
very severe localised sunburn with blistering and may cause long-lasting skin
discolouration.
Harmful via skin
The toxins in such plants do not cause skin problems but can pass though the
skin to organs such as the heart where they can cause disorders.
Potentially Harmful Plants Information Sheet
Practical Advice for Customers
1. If seeking medical attention because of suspected poisoning or severe skin
reaction, always take the name of the plant with you (the label if possible), or
if you don’t know the name, take an identifiable piece of plant. Do not try to
make the patient vomit.
2. Avoid handling plants labelled "skin irritant" or "may cause
skin allergy". Skin reaction is usually caused by intentional handling of
the plant; when trimming or pruning, for example. It is wise to wear gloves for
these jobs. Wash hands after handling plants and before eating.
3. Children should be taught not to eat any seeds, berries or other parts of
ornamental plants.
4. Very young children need supervision.
5. Where there are young children in the garden, the risk can be considerably
reduced by planting potentially harmful plants away from the edges of borders, and
planning the garden so that fruit and vegetable plants are segregated from
ornamental plants.
X CUPRESSOCYPARIS LEYLANDII
Dermatitis is most likely to be caused when drastic pruning is carried out.
If kept under control, severe pruning, sawing and burning will not be necessary. The risk
is thereby reduced. Note that even the smoke from burning branches can induce the
allergic reaction.
DIEFFENBACHIA
Not suitable for households where there are children under five years old.
FREMONTODENDRON
Irritation to skin and eye is caused by minute hairs brushed from the
surface. Do not plant where people will brush past.
LIGUSTRUM
It is usually the berries that are eaten. A neatly trimmed hedge rarely
produces berries.
PRIMULA OBCONICA
If skin irritation is experienced, wear gloves to remove dead flower heads.
Some sensitive people cannot be in the same room as the plant. In this case the plant should
be removed from the house.
RUTA
Avoid handling in bright sunlight. Wash hands after handling.
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