.............................................................................................................................................................
Michelle Wishhart
Oleander (Nerium oleander) is a flowering evergreen member of
the dogbane family (Apocynaceae) that grows easily in sunny, well-drained sites
in U.S. Department of Agriculture plant hardiness zones 8 to 10.
Though often grown as an ornamental, all parts of the plant
contain poisonous cardiac glycoside toxins that interfere with the functioning
of the heart if ingested.
Call the National Poison Control Center immediately if you
suspect poisoning in yourself or someone else.
Toxicity
All parts of the oleander shrub are poisonous, from the nectar
in the flowers to the stems, twigs and leaves.
Water in a vase that has held oleander flowers is toxic, and
honey produced by bees that have visited the shrub may also be toxic.
Burning any part of the plant will result in smoke that can
cause respiratory problems.
The sap will often lead to skin rashes. Oleander has not been
proven to cause allergies, though some people dislike the fragrance of the
flowers.
Symptoms
Oleander poisoning can cause a range of symptoms, including but
not limited to blurred vision, diarrhea, loss of appetite, stomach pain and
nausea.
People poisoned by an oleander may feel confused, dizzy or weak,
with a slow or irregular heartbeat and a feeling of weakness.
Extremities eventually become cold, and the person may tremble,
collapse and fall into a coma. Death may follow.
Toxins are especially dangerous for the very young and elderly,
according to the University of Nevada.
Pets
Curious pets may nibble on the plant, with potentially fatal
consequences.
Symptoms of poisoning in a cat or dog resemble symptoms in
humans and may include drooling, vomiting, abnormal heart rate, trembling and
seizures, according to the Pet Poison Helpline.
If poisoning is suspected, the University of Nevada recommends
calling a veterinarian immediately and keeping the pet as calm as possible to
reduce stress on their heart.
The sooner your pet gets medical care, the better their chance
of surviving.
Prevention
Oleanders in the home garden must be regarded with caution. Wear
protective gloves and eyewear, as well as long sleeves and pants, when pruning
or handling the shrub.
Never burn or mulch with oleander plant debris: dispose of it in
a landfill.
The shrub may not be suitable for households with pets or
children and should not be grown near vegetable gardens or livestock areas such
as pastures and corrals.
Oleanders should be kept away from pathways and entryways where
people could potentially brush up against it.
Michelle
Wishhart
is a writer based in Portland, Ore. She has been writing professionally since
2005, starting with her position as a staff arts writer for City on a Hill
Press, an alternative weekly newspaper in Santa Cruz, Calif. An avid gardener,
Wishhart worked as a Wholesale Nursery Grower at Encinal Nursery for two years.
Wishhart holds a Bachelor of Arts in fine arts and English literature from the
University of California, Santa Cruz.
No comments:
Post a Comment