Mother-in-law plant
General poisoning notes:
Mother-in-law plant (Dieffenbachia seguine) is an ornamental. Chewing dumbcanes (Dieffenbachiaspp.) leaves or stems causes immediate pain and swelling in the mouth and throat. In severe cases, speech may become unintelligible, hence the name dumbcane. In the past these plants were used as a means of human torture. Family pets have also been poisoned after chewing on dumbcane plant material. The effects are almost instantaneous, before the plant material is actually ingested. The plant juices can also cause inflammation and contact dermatitis in some individuals (Arditti and Rodriguez 1982, Lampe and McCann 1985). Mrvos et al. (1990) determined that in many cases where people had contact with broken leaves of dumbcane plants, symptoms occurred within 5 min and were short and of minor consequence. The researchers concluded that concerns regarding oral complications may be exaggerated.
Nomenclature:
Scientific Name: Dieffenbachia seguine (Jacq.) Schott
Vernacular name(s): mother-in-law plant
Scientific family name: Araceae
Vernacular family name: arum
Dieffenbachia seguine (Jacq.) Schott
Geographic Information
Plant or plant parts used in or around the home.
Toxic parts:
Leaves, stems.
Notes on Toxic plant chemicals:
Dieffenbachiaspp. contain calcium oxalate crystals, which are found in special cells called idioblasts; these cells have nozzle-like apertures at either end. The small needle-like crystals are small (0.2 mm long) and are forcibly extruded when the tissue is ruptured, as when chewed. This release of crystals from plant tissue can continue for several minutes. The initial sensation upon ingesting dumbcane tissue is one of pain (Dore 1963, Cheeke and Schull 1985). Proteolytic enzymes have also been found in dumbcanes and may account for some of the toxic effects (Walter and Khanna 1963, Arditti and Rodriquez 1982).
Toxic plant chemicals:
oxalate, proteolytic enzymes
Animals/Human Poisoning:
Note: When an animal is listed without additional information, the literature (as of 1993) contained no detailed explanation.
Cats
General symptoms of poisoning:
Mouth, irritation of, salivation.
Dogs
Humans
General symptoms of poisoning:
Aphonia, breathing, labored, diarrhea, mouth, irritation of, salivation, vomiting.
Notes on poisoning:
Chewing dumbcane plants causes immediate intense pain and irritation of the lips, tongue, and mouth. There is edematous swelling of the oral mucosa. Bullae may form. Speech capability is often reduced or lost, a condition that can last for several days. The pain and irritation can also persist, and the edema can leave superficial necrosis. Excessive salivation is common. Treatment requires use of cool liquids; analgesics may be indicated (Arditti and Rodriguez 1982, Lampe and McCann 1985). Cut stem sections are particularly dangerous for nursery workers because of the possibility of getting plant juices into the eyes. Inflammation accompanied by intense pain, watering, and gross swelling can occur. Visual acuity may be reduced (Arditti and Rodriquez 1982).
