Dieffenbachia
RAPHIDES rhymes with HAY RIDES
In my earlier post to this Blog, Caladiums a la Mode, I suggested Haagen Dazs ice cream to ease the pain in the mouth should anyone munch on a plant containing raphides of calcium oxylate. Surprisingly some people took this too literally. It need not be that particular brand; Nielsen's or Baskin Robbins would be just as effective.
However, if an ice cream of any make is not readily to hand, have the sufferer suck on a frozen piece of dihydrogen monoxide. It need not be Bayer's Aspirin; acetylsalicylic acid will be just fine.
Oxylates are found in many plants, such as beets, spinach and Swiss Chard and is a major feature in members of the Araceae. Other houseplants in this group are Aglaonema,Chinese Evergreen, Monstera deliciosa, Swiss Cheese Plant and Philodendron. Some garden perennials are Jack in the Pulpit, Skunk Cabbage and Sweet Flag.
Even in the case of Dieffenbachia with the common name of Dumb Cane its' dangers appears to be merely anecdotal and it's throat closing potential never actually happening to anyone. If a well documented case is known I would welcome hearing about it. In the meantime I would like people to stop using the word poison in these circumstances. The prescence of calcium oxylate crystals can cause extreme discomfort but are nevertheless not a poison.
Those who profess to care for the health of mothers and children should consider their emotional state too. High anxiety is surely a medical condition that deserves treatment; but best avoided and not needlessly provoked.
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