“I'm always interested in plants with a fragrance, like rosemary,” he said.
Hemesath returned home and was working on his computer half an hour later when one of his eyes began to itch and burn. At the advice of a neighbor, he washed it out 6 or 7 times, but the burning worsened and his wife took him to the emergency room. Doctors prescribed an antibiotic ointment. The next morning, he said, his eye was swollen closed. And nearly a week later, he still didn't have clear vision in the affected eye.
The plant, Hemesath discovered, is silver spurge (Euphorbia rigida), one of dozens of drought-tolerant plants with toxic properties that are grown in California. A scenario similar to Hemesath's prompted San Diego County UC Master Gardener Francie Murphy to get the word out about toxic plants.
Murphy was trimming a stem on her pencil milk bush when sap spurted into one eye, causing stinging pain. Murphy ended up in the emergency room too.
After her experience, she and a team of Master Gardeners secured funding from the County of San Diego to develop a website and handouts to inform the community about toxic drought-tolerant plants found in many California landscapes.
Drought-tolerant plants like cacti, yucca, agaves and aloes have adaptations to protect themselves from wildlife in search of the moisture within the leaves and stems. Some have spikes or spines to ward off people and animals, other plants don't have outward signs of danger.
A key feature of the website is a database of nearly 100 plants with photos and descriptions that explain how they are unsafe and how they can be used safely in the landscape.
Fire sticks (Euphorbia tirucalli) – Sap in any form, including dry sap, is irritating and can be toxic if it gets on skin or in eyes.
Oleander (Nerium oleander) – The entire plant is toxic if ingested. The wood can be severely irritating if burned in a fire or BBQ.
California poppy (Eschscholzia californica) – The entire plant is toxic if ingested.
Milkweed (Asclepias spp.) – The entire plant of many species is toxic if ingested.
Sago palm (Cycas regoluta) – All parts of the plant are toxic to humans and pets, and the tips of leaves are surprisingly sharp.
Mexican bird of paradise (Caesalpinia spp.) – Plants, seedpods, seeds and leaves contain toxins, which can cause gastrointestinal irritation, nausea and vomiting.
Resources for more information:
- UC Master Gardener Plant Safely website, https://ucanr.edu/sites/PlantSafely/
- Drought-tolerant plants can save water, but beware of those that are toxic
Related:
Toxic Plants for Dogs, Cats and Horses
What plants are poisonous to dogs, cats and horses? How many of those plants are in your garden and your pasture? Keep your animals safe by learning to identify those plants that can be poisonous to your animals. Many of these plants we have taken for granted and never worried about it. Join MG Karen on Zoom to find out.
Saturday, November 18, 10 – 11:30 a.m.
Woodward Park Library - Zoom presentation