General poisoning notes:Caladium (Caladium bicolor) is a houseplant that can cause burning and irritation of the lips. The plant can be a problem to children who ingest the leaves as well as to family pets that might nibble on the foliage. References: Lampe, K. F., McCann, M. A. 1985. AMA Handbook of poisonous and injurious plants. American Medical Assoc. Chicago, Ill., USA. 432 pp. Spoerke, D. G., Smolinske, S. C. 1990. Toxicity of houseplants. CRC Press, Inc., Boca Raton, Fla., USA. 335 pp. Nomenclature: Scientific Name: Caladium bicolor (Ait.) Vent.
Vernacular name(s): caladium Scientific family name: Araceae Vernacular family name: arum Go to ITIS*ca for more taxonomic information on: Caladium bicolor References: Agriculture Quebec. 1975. Noms des maladies des plantes du Canada/ Names of plant diseases in Canada. , Quebec City, Que., Canada. 288 pp. Alex, J. F., Cayouette, R., Mulligan, G. A. 1980. Common and botanical names of weeds in Canada/Noms populaire et scientifiques des plantes nuisibles du Canada. Revised. Agric. Can. Publ., Ottawa, Ont., Canada. 132 pp. Bailey, L. H., Bailey, E. Z. 1976. Hortus third. Revised. MacMillan, New York, N.Y., USA. 1290 pp. Scoggan, H. J. 1978, 1979. The flora of Canada. Nat. Mus. Nat. Sci. (Ottawa) Publ. Bot. 7(1)-7(4). 1711 pp. Van Wijk, H. L. 1911. A dictionary of plant names.
Martinus Nijhoff, The Hague, The Netherlands. 1444 pp. Victorin, M. 1964. Flore Laurentienne. 2nd ed. Univ. Montreal, Montreal, Que., Canada. 952 pp. Geographic Information Plant or plant parts used in or around the home. References: Bailey, L. H., Bailey, E. Z. 1976. Hortus third. Revised. MacMillan, New York, N.Y., USA. 1290 pp. Boivin, B. 1966, 1967. Énumération des plantes du Canada. Provencheria 6. Nat. Can. (Que.) 93: 253-274; 371-437; 583-646; 989-1063. 94: 131-157; 471-528; 625-655. Image or illustration Caladium bicolor: Images: images.google.com Notes on Poisonous plant parts:All parts of this plant contain oxalate crystals, which can cause intense irritation if ingested (Lampe and McCann 1985). Toxic parts: leaves
roots
stems
References: Lampe, K. F., McCann, M. A. 1985. AMA Handbook of poisonous and injurious plants. American Medical Assoc. Chicago, Ill., USA. 432 pp. Notes on Toxic plant chemicals:Oxalate crystals are common to many members of the family Araceae and are capable of causing intense irritation. Toxic plant chemicals: oxalate
References: Lampe, K. F., McCann, M. A. 1985. AMA Handbook of poisonous and injurious plants. American Medical Assoc. Chicago, Ill., USA. 432 pp. Animals/Human Poisoning:Note: When an animal is listed without additional information, the literature (as of 1993) contained no detailed explanation. Cats
Dogs
Humans General symptoms of poisoning:mouth, irritation of
Notes on poisoning: Ingesting material containing calcium oxalate raphide crystals causes irritation of the soft mouth parts and perhaps the throat of humans and animals. Swelling of tissues causes pain and a burning sensation that slowly subsides. Cool liquids or analgesics may be indicated. The insoluble oxalates do not cause systemic poisoning (Lampe and McCann 1985). References: Lampe, K. F., McCann, M. A. 1985. AMA Handbook of poisonous and injurious plants. American Medical Assoc. Chicago, Ill., USA. 432 pp.
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