Spotted dumbcane
General poisoning notes:
Spotted dumbcane (Dieffenbachia maculata) is an indoor ornamental. Experimental work with leaf and stem material caused death in mice and rats (Der Marderosian et al. 1976). Toxic symptoms have also occurred in humans and house pets. Chewing produces painful irritation of the mouth and throat. Symptoms may take several days to disappear. The insoluble oxalates do not cause systemic poisoning in humans (Lampe and McCann 1985).
Description
The plant is smaller in stature than its parent, with an ultimate height of 4 feet (1.2 m) with a spread of 1-2 feet (0.3-0.6 m). If kept in smaller containers the plant will only have a height of 24 inches (0.6 m). Obovate-lanceolate leaves will reach up to 10 inches (25 cm) in length and have a creamy variegation bordered by green
Nomenclature:
Scientific Name: Dieffenbachia maculata (Lodd.) G. Don
Vernacular name(s): spotted dumbcane
Scientific family name: Araceae
Vernacular family name: arum
Dieffenbachia maculata (Lodd.) G. Don
Geographic Information
Plant or plant parts used in or around the home.
Toxic parts:
Leaves, stems.
Notes on Toxic plant chemicals:
See notes under Dieffenbachiaseguine for additional information on toxic chemicals in Dieffenbachiaspp.
Toxic plant chemicals:
Oxalate.
Animals/Human Poisoning:
Note: When an animal is listed without additional information, the literature (as of 1993) contained no detailed explanation.
Humans
General symptoms of poisoning:
mouth, irritation of
Notes on poisoning:
See additional notes under Dieffenbachia seguine.
