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
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 Dieffenbachia
spp.
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.
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