The common indoor plant dieffenbachia poses a serious danger to young children because of the toxic sap contained within its stems, Russian biologist Dmitry Safonov warned in comments to state news agency RIA Novosti.
Safonov explained that if the plant sap enters the mouth, it can trigger severe swelling of the larynx, medically known as laryngeal edema. In adults, exposure to the fluid can cause a temporary loss of voice, whereas affected children will require immediate hospitalization for treatment.
The expert also warned that physical contact with a broken stem can cause painful chemical burns to mucous membranes. Consequently, parents must ensure that children do not rub their eyes or lick their fingers after coming into contact with any part of the plant.
Safety measures for indoor plants
However, Safonov noted that households do not necessarily need to throw the plant away. He advised that placing dieffenbachia in a location completely inaccessible to children is sufficient, provided parents also explain to their children that they should never touch the stem or tear off leaves.
Dieffenbachia is a tropical plant genus popular as a foliage houseplant due to its broad, decorative leaves. It is commonly referred to as dumb cane because its sap contains microscopic calcium oxalate crystals. When ingested or touched, these needle-shaped structures irritate sensitive mucosal tissues. RIA Novosti is a major Russian news agency headquartered in Moscow.
Marrow cultivation techniques in Kurgan
In separate horticultural reporting, Kirill Rybin, the head of a rare plant club in the Russian city of Kurgan, previously disclosed his personal method for growing exceptionally large vegetable marrows.
Rybin explained that he selected seeds specifically of the Marrow variety to achieve maximum specimen size. He planted the seeds indoors to raise seedlings two to three weeks before transferring them into open garden soil, which he had thoroughly prepared with fertilizers.
Kurgan is an administrative city located along the Tobol River in the Urals region of Russia. Vegetable marrows are a cultivated variety of squash widely grown across Eurasia, with garden enthusiasts frequently competing to produce the heaviest specimens during summer harvesting seasons.
