Caladium bicolor are tropical plants that grow from a tuber. In the north we use them in the summer garden or as house plants. A couple of their unhelpful common names are, Angel's Wings and Elephant's Ear. They are among the most elegant of foliage plants. The thin spearhead-shaped leaves can be in many shades of reds pinks or greens with streaks, splashes and marbleing and veins in a contrasting colour. The green and white 'candidum' is elegant and tasteful; just not in the culinary sense.
As mentioned in an earlier blog (Fat Bulbs and Fatter Heads) there is a group of plants whose tissue contains insoluble crystals of calcium oxylate referred to as raphides. These are needle-shaped and just as sharp. Such plants do not cause systemic poisoning in humans. The A.M.A. Handbook refers to 'poisonous or injurious' plants. So, are Caladiums injurious? It will depend on whether you see a glass as half empty or half full.
If ingested, the raphides sharp attack on the lips and mouth with pain and swelling assuredly qualifies as an injury; but it should also prevent you from actually being poisoned.
The prescribed medical treatment in such cases is a cold drink or some ice cream held in the mouth until the pain subsides; and perhaps an Aspirin.
Calla Lily could refer to Calla palustris a semi-aquatic Bog Arum although it it is more likely that Zantedechia is the intended target. The flowers are in the form termed spath and spadix and can be white, pink or yellow dependent on the species. Don't eat them or discover that you have engulfed a mouthful of broken glass. Their antidote is generous helpings of Haagen Dazs.
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