What is Colocasia plant poisoning and how to avoid it?
Colocasia Plant Poisoning is the accidental or intentional intake of the plant or plant product containing the compound. What is Colocasia Plant Poisoning? Colocasia is a tropical large-leaved flowering plant that is native to India and parts of southeast Asia.
What is the botanical name of colocasia?
Botanical name: Colocasia species, (most common species Colcasia esculenta) General description: Large ornamentals grown for their huge heart-shaped leaves. The roots, when cooked, are an important food source in the Pacific region.
Is Alocasia poisonous to humans?
Is alocasia poisonous to humans? The alocasia is highly poisonous to dogs, cats, horses and humans and can cause death if consumed. If it touches the skin, the alocasia can cause skin irritation. Every part of this plant is poisonous.
What are the different types of colocasia?
Different species or varieties can have different characteristics such as stalk color, foliage color, and size. The largest Colocasia is C. gigantea 'Thailand Giant' which can have stalks that are 6 inches wide at the base and support leaves that can grow from 2-4 feet long.
See more
Are Colocasia plants poisonous?
Symptoms: If any part of this plant is chewed or eaten raw, it can cause immediate burning pain and swelling of the lips, mouth and tongue. Swelling may cause copious salivation and difficulty in breathing, swallowing or speaking. Intense gastric irritation may occur if swallowed.
Is Colocasia poisonous to dogs?
The foliage of Colocasia esculenta, commonly known as elephant ears or taro, contains the irritant calcium oxalate. Although potentially toxic, the immediate effects of this compound are oral pain and irritation.
Can Colocasia be eaten?
Culinary Uses of colocasia, arbi, arbi root, taro in Indian Cooking. They can be roasted, fried, or boiled; and sliced, grated or mashed. It can be eaten as a vegetable or combined with other veggies. Starchy roots consumed in large quantities include potatoes, sweet potatoes, yams, taro, and cassava.
What do you do if you touch an elephant ear plant?
After contact with a skin irritant plant, wash the exposed areas thoroughly with soap and water. Use hydrocortisone cream to treat irritation and inflammation of the skin. Antihistamines may alleviate the itching and hives. The majority of allergic and chemical reactions will clear up in 14-21 days.
Are elephant ears poisonous to touch?
Elephant Ears are poisonous to children. Touching the stems or leaves can cause skin irritation and possibly a rash and itching. Eating the leaves, stems, or sap can cause a burning sensation in the mouth and throat and lead to swelling.
Are elephant ears toxic to humans?
Elephant ear plants are indoor or outdoor plants with very large, arrow-shaped leaves. Poisoning may occur if you eat parts of this plant. This article is for information only. DO NOT use it to treat or manage an actual poison exposure.
What happens when we eat Colocasia?
Their high fiber and low calorie content make them an excellent food for boosting heart health and promoting overall well-being. While the leaves can be poisonous when eaten raw, cooked taro leaves can be a versatile and nutritious addition to your diet.
Is Colocasia and taro same?
Commonly known as elephant-ear, colocasia is a herbaceous perennial with a large rhizome on or just below the ground surface. The leaves are large to very large. The plant gets its name from its leaves, which are shaped like a large ear or shield. It is also known as taro, cocoyam, dasheen, chembu and eddoe.
Why your throat itches when we eat Colocasia vegetable?
Itching causing calcium oxalate crystals are found in colocasia leaves. Some varieties of raw or uncooked taro contain tiny crystals of a substance called calcium oxalate which causes itching. If taro is properly cooked, itching can be avoided.
Are elephant ears toxic to skin?
SKIN IRRITATION SEVERE! All parts are poisonous and contain calcium oxalate crystals. This substance is toxic and makes the mouth, tongue and throat feel as if small needles are digging in to them. Poisonous by ingestion, dermatitis, and eye injury.
Are elephant ear plants toxic to skin?
Elephant Ear Plant Safety The leaves and stems are the most toxic parts of the plants. Even touching them can cause skin irritation and itching, and if you get the sap in your eyes, your eyes will sting and burn for several hours.
What happens if you bite an elephant ear plant?
These plants contains insoluble calcium oxalate crystals similar to other plants in the Araceae family. Chewing or biting into this plant will release these crystals causing tissue penetration and irritation the mouth and GI tract. VERY rarely, swelling of the upper airway occurs making it difficult to breathe.
What plant is toxic yet serves as a major food source for many countries in Asia?
47 Comments. Here’s a puzzle for you: what plant is toxic, yet serves as a major food source for many countries in Asia? The answer: Colocasia, also known as elephant ear or taro. In many parts of the world, taro is a major food crop for both people and farm animals.
What is the toxin in elephant ears?
Yet, elephant ears contain calcium oxalate, or oxalic acid, the same toxin found in rhubarb and Dieffenbachia leaves.
How do you know if you have elephant ear poisoning?
If your child or pet ingests the leaves, the first symptoms are a tingly or burning feeling in the mouth or lips. Elephant ear poisoning is rarely fatal, unless large amounts are eaten. Below are some of the other symptoms associated with this plant: Severe burning or redness of the eyes. Severe burning of the tongue, lips and mouth.
What plants are safe for pets?
Below are a few to try: Acajou (Flame African Violet, Flame Violet, Red Violet) American Rubber Plant. Arrowroot (Canna Lily, Common Garden Canna) Bamboo Palm. Bamboo Vine.
Is it safe to eat plants cooked?
First, the plant is always eaten cooked, rather than raw. Cooking it breaks down the crystals, rendering them harmless. Additionally, some species are more toxic than others and the plants used as a food source are not necessarily the same varieties found in your yard.
Is elephant ear plant toxic?
Elephant Ear Plant Safety. Although elephant ears are not as toxic as Dieffenbachia, it’s a good idea to be careful, especially if you have young children or pets. The leaves and stems are the most toxic parts of the plants. Even touching them can cause skin irritation and itching, and if you get the sap in your eyes, ...
Where does Colocasia come from?
Their leaves are heart-shaped, thin, and rubbery. Originating from Southeastern Asia, these plants enjoy loamy, fertile soil and tropical climates.
What is the largest Colocasia?
The largest Colocasia is C. gigantea 'Thailand Giant' which can have stalks that are 6 inches wide at the base and support leaves that can grow from 2-4 feet long. These plants are tuberous and are known to be used in some traditional Asian cuisine.
Is a tuber edible?
The whole plant (all parts of the plant) are poisonous if uncooked/ raw, but once cooked the tubers are edible: tuber used in Asian cuisine when cooked. Use salted water and boil for at least one hour. They are rich in vitamins A and C and they have more protein, phosphorus and calcium than a regular potato.
What is the name of the plant that grows on a heart shaped plant?
Botanical name: Colocasia species, (most common species Colcasia esculenta) General description: Large ornamentals grown for their huge heart-shaped leaves. The roots, when cooked, are an important food source in the Pacific region. Except for the leaves, the plants are similar in appearance to cunjevoi ...
Can a sap plant cause swelling?
Other: The sap is clear. Symptoms: If any part of this plant is chewed or eaten raw, it can cause immediate burning pain and swelling of the lips, mouth and tongue. Swelling may cause copious salivation and difficulty in breathing, swallowing or speaking. Intense gastric irritation may occur if swallowed.
Where is Colocasia esculenta native to?
Native to eastern Asia , Colocasia esculenta, or Taro, is a tender herbaceous perennial that grows best in organically rich, wet soil and tropical climates. It prefers full sun to part shade or filtered sun and can be a great plant for planting at the edge of the understory of a tree or as a border. It should be consistently watered and not allowed to dry out. It can also be found commonly as a houseplant, though it does require more sun than many houseplants. This plant uses a corm for storage during the winter months and can spread and be divided much like other perennials with storage organs. This organ is used for food (Taro) in many regions of Southeast Asia where it is native. The roots can be identified by their swollen stem tissue and ring-like scars. Taro is believed to have been one of the earliest cultivated plants.
What are the symptoms of eating a plant?
Poison Severity: Medium. Poison Symptoms: Oral irritation, pain and swelling of mouth, tongue, and lips, excessive drooling, vomiting, and difficulty swallowing can result from eating parts of this plant. Causes an extremely unpleasant sensation similar to needles being stuck into the mouth and tongue.
Oxalic Acid
Elephant ears contain varying degrees of oxalic acid. The leaves and stems of the plant contain the highest amount of this toxic chemical. Ingestion of elephant ear can cause severe burning in the mouth, lips and gastrointestinal tract. The mouth, tongue, throat and esophagus will begin to swell, which can cut off the airway of the victim.
Growth of the Elephant Ear Plant
Elephant ear plants belong to the Araceae plant family. The tuberous bulb that grows the elephant ear plant is known as a cormel. The plants produce a lateral root system that gives additional strength to support the large heavy leaves and stalks. The cormels of the plant are easy to plant and transplant.
Water And Soil
Plant elephant ears in areas of dappled shade for best results. They thrive under trees in a mass planting. Soil should be high in humus and well-draining. The plants thrive on moist soil but they do not like waterlogged roots. A few species of elephant ear can be grown successfully in standing water.
Storing Elephant Ears
Cut the plant stalks back to 2 to 4 inches from the soil line after the first frost hits. The cormels can be gently dug up and allowed to dry for a few days. Place the cormels into peat moss in a cool, dry, dark place such as a basement, cellar or other building.
What blood test is used to diagnose alocasia?
Blood tests, such as a complete blood count (CBC), blood chemical profile, blood gases, and glucose test will be done. A urinalysis is another test that is helpful in diagnosing alocasia poisoning because the elephant ear contains asparagine, which increases protein levels.
Is an elephant ear poisonous to dogs?
This plant may be nice to look at, but it can be toxic to your dog. In fact, it can even be fatal if not treated right away.
