Many of our favourite house-plants are grown for beautiful variegated foliage and climbing or vining tendencies. Some of their leaves have unusual shapes. All of the following are toxic or poisonous if ingested by pets or humans and all are members of the tropical Araceae, with relatives found in Nova Scotia.
Dumbcane or Dieffenbachia are vines native to North American tropics and southward. The name refers to the numbing effect caused by calcium oxalate crystals in the foliage.
Caladium or Elephant Ear, is also grown for beautifully marked foliage, originating from South America. All parts are poisonous to ingest and may even affect sensitive skin if handled. Other common vines are Philodendron and Pothos . Keep out of reach of pets and children.
Nova Scotian species include three rather unique species: Calla Lilies, Jack-in-the-Pulpit and Skunk-Cabbage. Calla Lilies tend to grow in wet peat; Jack-in-the-pulpit or segabun, is found along stream banks. This plant forms part of the Mi'kmaq pharmacy and is also called Indian Turnip. Skunk cabbage has very large leaves resembling those of cabbage, appear long after its most disagreeable flower pushes up through barely thawed ground. You can read more about the Araceae in Nova Scotia at http://museum.novascotia.ca/books
Philodendron, photo by Marian Munro
Calla Lily, photo by Sean Blaney
Jack-in-the-pulpit, photo by Beth Cameron
Skunk Cabbage, photo by David Mazerolle
Caladium or Elephant Ear, is also grown for beautifully marked foliage, originating from South America. All parts are poisonous to ingest and may even affect sensitive skin if handled. Other common vines are Philodendron and Pothos . Keep out of reach of pets and children.
Nova Scotian species include three rather unique species: Calla Lilies, Jack-in-the-Pulpit and Skunk-Cabbage. Calla Lilies tend to grow in wet peat; Jack-in-the-pulpit or segabun, is found along stream banks. This plant forms part of the Mi'kmaq pharmacy and is also called Indian Turnip. Skunk cabbage has very large leaves resembling those of cabbage, appear long after its most disagreeable flower pushes up through barely thawed ground. You can read more about the Araceae in Nova Scotia at http://museum.novascotia.ca/books
Philodendron, photo by Marian MunroCalla Lily, photo by Sean BlaneyJack-in-the-pulpit, photo by Beth Cameron
Skunk Cabbage, photo by David Mazerolle
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