Children are quick to put something in their mouth or smell trees and bushes. If these plants are poisonous, it can be dangerous.
When walking through the garden center or leafing through various garden catalogues, plants are often only selected based on their color and growth height. However, this can be quite dangerous, especially if there are children in the garden. There are a number of plants that are poisonous or hazardous to he alth, but which you can't tell from the outside. So that nothing can happen here, here are the most important poisonous plants that you should not have in the garden at all or only with extreme caution.
Ivy - the poison is in the fruit
Ivy (Hedera helix) is a climbing shrub that can grow up to 20 meters tall. For this reason, the plant is often used to green bare house walls or as a privacy screen. The dangerous thing about ivy is the fruit. Toxic saponins “hide” in the flesh of the berry. Even if only a few berries are eaten, the first symptoms of poisoning appear. But the leaves of the climbing plant are not entirely harmless either, they can cause a skin rash.
Laburnum - all parts of the plant are poisonous
The laburnum (Laburnum) looks beautiful when it blooms, just don't get too close to it. Virtually all parts of the plant are poisonous, but the seed is the worst. Consumption causes nausea, vomiting, burning sensation in the mouth, abdominal cramps and more. Laburnum therefore has no place in the home garden.
Holly - only slightly poisonous
Even if it sounds harmless at first, holly (Ilex aquifolium) is not without danger. Anyone who eats the berry-like fruits has to reckon with gastrointestinal problems, diarrhea and vomiting. It is recommended to drink plenty of water after consumption. If children have eaten the tempting red fruit, you should go to the doctor immediately.
Deadly Nightshade - life-threatening for children
Children should be made aware of the dangers of deadly nightshade (Atropa belladonna) from an early age. Since the fruits of the deadly nightshade are very similar to those of the "real cherry", they quickly tempt you to snack. FirstSigns of poisoning after eating the berries are dilated pupils, reddened skin, increased pulse, speech and swallowing disorders, dryness in the mouth and throat. Just three consumed berries are enough and the child's life is in danger!
Spindle - Poisoning not immediately recognizable
The euonymus is a spindle shrub that can grow up to 4 meters high. The spindle tree bears white-green flowers from May to June. The insidious thing about the euonymus is that symptoms of poisoning only appear several hours after consumption. These can be circulatory disorders, abdominal cramps and nausea. If poisoning is suspected, it is best to see a doctor immediately.