Plant Description:

1. Potted plant, stout stem, transverse leaf scars

2. Leaves are oblong, wide, solid green or variously mottled or streaked with yellow-green or white

3. Related plant list causing burning and irritation:

Scientific Name

Common Name

Alocasia

Elephants Ear, Alocasia

Arisema

Jack in the Pulpit

Caladium

Caladium

Calla

Wild calla, water Arum

Epiprenum

Devils Ivy, Golden pothos

Monstera

Mexican Breadfruit

Philodendron

Philodendron

Symplocarpus

Skunk Cabbage

Xanthostoma

Malanga, Caladium

Zantedeschia

Calla lily, Arum lily

Toxic Principle:

1. Presence of millions of small calcium oxalate crystals and a protein substance causing a histamine type reaction; causes burning and irritation of the mouth

Disease:

1. Problems seen in dogs, cats, herbivorous lizards, and birds

2. Onset time- almost immediate

3. Head shaking, salivation, difficult breathing

4. Loss of voice (dumb), vomiting, diarrhea

5. Usually not life-threatening

Treatment:

1. Rinse mouth out with water

2. Antihistamines

3. Coating agents for gut

4. Fluids