Image – Wikimedia/Zeynel Cebeci
Although the vast majority of succulents (cacti and succulents) are not at all dangerous to humans, there are others that are. But it must also be said that they are not very difficult to identify.
But to make it easier for you, I want to show you some of the poisonous and/or dangerous succulents so that you decide whether you are going to cultivate them or not.
Contents
Adenium
Image – Wikimedia/Timothy A. Gonsalves
Adenium is the botanical genus to which one of the most beautiful succulent shrubs in the world belongs: the desert rose. Although its growth is quite slow, that’s why we don’t usually think of pruning it, keep in mind that inside it contains a milky sap that can cause itching and irritation in contact with the skin.
For this reason, every time we have to change the pot, we will do it with protective gloves -and better if they are rubber and not fabric-, to avoid problems.
small cacti
Young cacti, as well as those that remain small for life, they usually have more or less long spines that protect them from predators. Although these are visible, anyone a little confused can do a lot of damage if they fall on them, or if their hand brushes said thorns.
For him, when handling them, it is very important that we put on gloves so that, thus, we have our hands safe.
Crassula oval (jade tree)
Image – Flickr/Jesús Cabrera
The Crassula oval It is a small succulent shrub that many of us have, whether at home or outdoors. It grows at a good pace and is very easy to maintain.and also to multiply because you just have to take a piece of branch, plant it in a pot and wait a few days.
The problem is that It is toxic to dogs and cats., which is why I wanted to include it in this list, because many of us live with some of these animals, and also with humans, but to a lesser extent. When they consume it, they may experience the following symptoms: nausea, vomiting and disorientation.
Euphorbia
Spurges are plants that can grow as herbs, shrubs (subshrubs), shrubs, and trees. It is a genus consisting of about 2000 species, and all, regardless of their shape, inside their stems contain a latex that if it comes into contact with a wound – even if it is a micro-cut – it will give us a hard time.
Itching, irritation, redness; These are the most common symptoms that go away as soon as we wash the area with soap and water. In more serious cases, if we touch our eyes, we could damage them. Of course, its consumption is not recommended.
Some of the most common species are:
Kalanchoe
Image – Wikimedia/JMK
Kalanchoe are widely kept plants in gardens, as well as in patios or on balconies. They grow well in pots, so they don’t need to be in the ground. (with some exceptions, such as Kalanchoe beharensis). They are fairly drought tolerant, so you don’t need to water them frequently.
Many of them have been used in traditional medicine; however, keep in mind that they can be toxic if eaten as they contain a substance called cardiac glycosidewhich in high doses can cause arrhythmias, nausea and vomiting (here you have information about it).
Among the most popular species are the following:
Opuntia
Image – Flickr/Drew Avery
Opuntia are cacti which, if they have thorns, are usually very visible and therefore not dangerous because it is easy for us to avoid them, but there are many species whose thorns are not so good. And to complicate things further, they all have ones that are very, very short and cling to the skin at the slightest touch.
Are These are plants perfectly adapted to arid regions., and it is largely thanks to this defense mechanism that protects them from predators. If you want to know some of the most popular species, here are their names:
Pachypodium
Image – Wikimedia/Beko
Pachypodiums are a series of really curious succulent shrubs or trees: they usually have a more or less conical trunk, which branches very little. The leaves are lanceolate, a very beautiful green, and they also produce large white flowers. When they are young they protect themselves with their spines, but as they get older they tend to lose them.
But, What is dangerous or poisonous about them? Again, latex. You just have to remove a leaf to see that it comes out a little right away. Well, this latex should not fall on the skin, let alone on a wound or a cut, because otherwise it will cause itching and redness.
The species most easily found for sale are two in number:
- Pachypodium lamerei (this is the most common). See file.
- Pachypodium geayi (it is best to get it from specialized nurseries)
Do you know of any other poisonous and dangerous succulents?