Frequently (and not so frequently) Asked Questions
BRIEF: Could you please tell me if the following plants are hazardous?
QUESTION:
Could you please tell me if the following plants are hazardous?
Scindapsus vine (AKA Epipremnum)
Dracaena tree
Aglaonema Boebelini
Arboricola
Pittmans Pride Syngonium
ANSWER:
Scindapsus vine (AKA Epipremnum)
Causes a nasty dermatitis in nursury workers exposed to alot of it. Also will
cause irritationa nd swelling of the mouth and diarrhea if munched on. The
latter is due to oxylate crystals (as raphide needles), found in many species of
house plants. That is why they look nice...what would eat them?
Dracaena tree
Not sure
Aglaonema Boebelini
Also has raphides, but I know of no poisoning cases.
Arboricola
Will cause irritationa nd swelling of the mouth and diarrhea if munched on. The
latter is due to oxylate crystals (as raphide needles), found in many species of
house plants. Also has some extra compounds to add to the pain and sufferring to
sensitive people (falcarinol).
Pittmans Pride Syngonium
Also has raphides, but I know of no poisoning cases. Old reports of death after
eating flowers, but I have no reference for that.