Small villages and farms are most vulnerable because they often take their water from just one source. Kate Ravilious reports on a shocking discovery. The name ‘Asparagus Fern’ is quite misleading, as this plant is neither an asparagus plant nor a fern. When ingested in large amounts, … The young spears from this fast-growing plant are edible, but when left alone will produce a plant 5 to 6 feet tall with branches and berries. However, if you have a situation where a child has consumed a plant you are un-familiar with or is not listed here, call your local poison control center, police, or hospital immediately. These are also mildly poisonous, causing discomfort after ingestion. There are several reasons why an asparagus fern may turn yellow. Bracken is polluting water supplies worldwide - and causing cancer. "The young ferns are quite tasty, a bit like asparagus with almonds," says Holm Rasmussen. The toxic agent in the plant is sapogenin — a steroid found in a variety of plants. It's called a fern, but is actually a member of the lily family. Don’t just assume that because one fern is safe they all are. One of the most delicate ferns, the maidenhair produces semicircles of narrow fronds on thin, black stalks. The berries of this plant cause the same intestinal reaction as those from the edible asparagus plant. Some varieties have been bred to produce primarily male plants whilst others produce both. Other common names: Sprenger’s asparagus, Climbing asparagus fern. Raw asparagus shoots are also mildly toxic, although the toxicity is quickly eliminated by cooking. Asparagus (asparagus fern) - may cause skin allergy, fruits poisonous Asparagus fern See Asparagus Atropa (deadly nightshade) - poisonous; skin irritant Autumn crocus See Colchicum Baneberry - see Actaea section Actaea Belladonna lily - see Amaryllis belladona Bluebell - … The Asparagus Fern is not actually a fern, but a member of the Liliaceae family. If a dog or cat ingests the berries of this plant, vomiting, diarrhea and/or abdominal pain can occur. However, if consumed, they are toxic to humans, dogs, and cats. Its curling green fronds decorate many British hillsides, dying down and turning a distinctive rusty-red colour through the winter. Farmers often keep the buttermilk for their family, giving it to their children as a healthy drink. Chief among these reasons is that it’s dehydrated. Asparagus ferns, however, are TOXIC to cats. Further afield PTQ contamination may also explain gastric and oesophageal cancer hot spots in South America. In fact, all members of the lily family are toxic to cats. Asparagus fern is a common non-edible house or yard plant. North Carolina State University Cooperative Extension Service advises cooking the young edible shoots to eliminate any toxicity that may be present. The seed pods of asparagus plants are toxic for humans and also for dogs and cats, producing an allergic reaction in some individuals. When handling the plant and working in the garden near the plant, wear gloves to protect your hands and arms from the poisonous sap. Meanwhile, Holm Rasmussen is hoping to carry out more research to discover which GM crops and which type of environment present the greatest threat to our water. Common name: Asparagus fern. © Copyright 2020 Hearst Communications, Inc. This usually takes the form of contact dermatitis, a rash that appears at the points of contact. It looks almost fluffy, and is used to buff out and add color to flower arrangements. Why is My Asparagus Fern Turning Yellow? "Bracken certainly could be an environmental factor that explains the raised levels of cancer in certain areas," says Holm Rasmussen. *These plants may cause skin irritation or allergic reactions. "PTQ is washed out of the bracken fronds by rain and since the bracken has the most biomass in summer, this is when we find the highest concentra tions of PTQ in water," he explains. All parts of the foxtail fern are poisonous for pets and humans. This is thought to be caused by the sulfur-containing growth inhibitor 1,2,3-Trithiane-5-carboxylic acid, according to the New Zealand Dermatological Society. Particularly high levels were found on farms where the water table was high, five to 10 metres below ground. Preventing Asparagus Toxicity. The maidenhair fern is not only non-poisonous, it's also a folk remedy for strengthening hair, and treating asthma and rheumatism. Accordingly, are ferns dangerous to humans? Now Lars Holm Rasmussen, a scientist at The Royal Veterinary and Agricultural University in Denmark, has shown that PTQs from bracken can enter the water supply and that some of us may be gulping poison every day. The two names are frequently confused. Due to changes in farming practices over the past hundred years, bracken has proliferated and now it sprawls across much of Scotland and northern Britain. It is poisonous to both humans and most household pets, and if ingested will cause vomiting, diarrhea, and tummy pain. You may not be surprised to get cancer if you smoke, or drink too much alcohol, but no one expects to get it from drinking water. Eating the berries can cause vomiting and abdominal pain. This buttermilk will have had the highest proportion of PTQs because it has not been diluted with milk from other, less bracken-infested farms. Asparagus fern (Asparagus densiflorus) The poisonous part is the berries which cause the same intestinal reaction as those from the edible asparagus plant. These toxins are not carcinogenic, but may behave in a similar way in the soil. To his horror, some of the water had PTQ levels that were over 20,000 times higher than the suggested tolerable levels for environmental carcinogens. Raw asparagus shoots contain substances mildly toxic to humans. Botanical name: Asparagus spp. However, this toxic plant is dangerous, especially if you have a cat or dog in your house. Bracken is a fern that grows on every continent except Antarctica. "The young ferns are quite tasty, a bit like asparagus with almonds," says Holm Rasmussen. Asparagus Fern | ASPCA Holm Rasmussen believes that the water supply to some of the farms and villages in Gwynedd may have been loaded with PTQs from bracken. Asparagus fern (Asparagus densiflorus) is related to the asparagus plant and is very similar, except that it lacks the edible stalk in the beginning. Preferring cool, damp locations, this fern needs indirect light, evenly moist soil and sufficient humidity. Different types and different growing stages of asparagus can be toxic to both humans and animals. However, purple asparagus is more preferable as it’s richer in antioxidants, particularly anthocyanins. The sap will produce a low-level rash, usually only lasting a few minutes. AboutKidsHealth is proud to partner with the following sponsors as they support our mission to improve the health and wellbeing of children in Canada and around the world by making accessible health care information available via the internet. Asparagus fern is toxic to cats and dogs, causing skin irritation with exposure to the sap. Common plants in this category include yews, asparagus fern, red-berried elder and red baneberry, to name a few. But be very careful, because even though the Ostrich Fern isn’t poisonous to dogs there are many other ferns that are. Harvest the stems when they are 6 to 10 inches high, before any budding begins. Furthermore, many of the new GM crops, such as GM maize, are developed with an increased natural defence against pests and weeds, by inserting genes that code for the high production of toxic compounds. Can cats eat asparagus fern? The foxtail fern (Asparagus densiflorus) is grown as a houseplant or in the garden as a ground cover in USDA zones 9 through 11. Bracken has really taken a hold in this wild, upland area, creeping up the slopes of Snowdon and the surrounding mountains. But their toxic qualities are also quite clear, with higher incidences of cancer in both these countries. But their toxic qualities are also quite clear, with higher incidences of cancer in both these countries. Repeated dermal contact to the sap can cause an unpleasant rash to both canines and humans. Soil type is also important in helping or hindering PTQ to travel. The foliage of many asparagus ferns can cause skin irritation. Staghorn ferns are definitely pet-safe (cats, dogs & horses), as stated by the ASPCA. In the meantime, don't give up drinking water but do keep trampling down the bracken when you're out for a walk. To make matters worse, families living on dairy farms may have also been drinking contaminated milk. Holly however is not poisonous but will not be very nice to eat! Peace lilies are one of the most common flowering houseplants, particularly around Easter time. New research, being presented at the British Ecological Society Annual Meeting in Lancaster this week, has revealed that a common fern may be poisoning water supplies all over the world. It turns out the asparagus fern is also toxic to both dogs and cats–potentially causing allergic dermatitis and vomiting or abdominal pain–but luckily, it’s a plant Minou has largely ignored. "The young ferns are quite tasty, a bit like asparagus with almonds," says Holm Rasmussen. The word “toxic” can have varying meanings – just because a plant is considered toxic doesn’t mean it’s necessarily deadly poisonous, it just means that the plants typically cause a harmful reaction if eaten or rubbed on the skin. Young shoots of asparagus are only somewhat toxic to humans when raw. North Carolina State University Cooperative Extension Service; Poisonous Plants: Asparagus officinalis, North Carolina State University Cooperative Extension Service; Poisonous Plants: Asparagus densiflorus, United States Department of Agriculture: Plant Hardiness Zone Map, Mother Earth News: All About Growing Asparagus. Glugging plenty of glasses each day is supposed to be good for us, but now you might want to think twice before turning on the tap. Farmers and landowners are trying to reduce the amount of bracken, but it is difficult to get rid of and the most effective mechanism is to spray hillsides with a noxious pesticide: not ideal for improving the water supply. They are related to the asparagus fern, which is also a member of the lily family. Asparagus ferns are toxic to humans as well as dogs. Make sure that they have not been treated with pesticides and wash thoroughly before cooking to remove dirt and debris. The terms asparagus plants and asparagus crowns are used interchangeably but the plant actually comprises a crown, which is a collection of rhizomes and lateral roots, a fern which grows above ground and a wider spread of roots. Reactions are almost always mild allergic reactions and not generally serious. According to the ASPCA, both the leaves and berries of the plant contain chemicals that are toxic to cats. By measuring PTQ levels in soil and soil-water at different times of year, he has shown that the highest levels are found after heavy summer rainfall. Asparagus fern is toxic to cats and dogs, causing skin irritation with exposure to the sap and gastrointestinal issues with consumption of the berries. African violet Alyssum Asparagus fern; Jade plant: Maple (seeds and young leaves) Marigold* Money plant: Mountain ash: Mulberry: Last year Holm Rasmussen measured the concentration of PTQs in water from wells on Danish and Swedish farms, which had lots of bracken growing in the area. The asparagus fern (also called emerald feather, emerald fern, sprengeri fern, plumosa fern or lace fern) is toxic to dogs and cats. This is an indoor plant that is easy to grow with little help and has pretty bright red berries that grow off them. However, they do not figure in the listing of the ASPCA. Not Really Ferns: Foxtail ferns are not, in reality, ferns, but are instead a member of the lily family. Family: Asparagaceae. Scientists have already shown that the PTQs ingested from eating bracken can increase your chances of getting gastric and oesophageal cancer. The asparagus fern is another very common houseplant, loved for its fine, feathery foliage. It has fine needle-like leaves and arching stems that can grow up to three feet long. Mature ferns sprout … Asparagus fern plants are mildly toxic to humans and cats and dogs. Wash the shoots in running, cold water to clean them of any dirt, and then steam, stir … includes A. aethiopicus, A. densiflorus, A. plumosus, A. africanus. Asparagus ferns (Asparagus densiflorus) The general consensus with Maidenhair ferns is that they are non-toxic to cats as well. Also to know is, is alyssum poisonous to humans? **This plant may cause skin irritation and mild nausea or vomiting. When cooked, the toxicity of the edible part of the plant disappears. For a long time scientists have known that bracken contains a carcinogenic compound called ptaquiloside (PTQ), but thought it dangerous only if eaten. This plant is also known as the asparagus fern, lace fern, emerald fern, or the Shatavari plant. What is perhaps more concerning is that it may not just be bracken that we need to worry about. For some people, Holm Rasmussen's discovery is already too late. People with asparagus allergies and those who come in contact with a great deal of young asparagus shoots tend to display symptoms more often than the general population. SKIN IRRITATION MINOR OR LASTING ONLY FOR A FEW MINUTES. Given that crops are often planted on sandy soils with a high water table, some crops could have an even worse effect on the water supply than bracken. The story is likely to be similar for many other farms and villages worldwide, where water is sourced from a bracken-strangled borehole or well. Above: As I planted an asparagus fern last November, Minou was lurking. Asparagus aethiopicus is an invasive plant in Florida and other areas, but I can find no substantiation that Asparagus densiflorus (foxtail fern) is invasive. They also aren’t toxic to humans so you don’t need to worry about them having around your children who will likely pick things up and put them in their mouths. The blooms aren’t impressive or significant, but the berries are more visible. Asparagus (Asparagus officinalis) is a perennial vegetable, growing in U.S. Department of Agriculture plant hardiness zones 3 to 8, where average minimal temperatures stay above minus 40 degrees Fahrenheit. Yes, the asparagus fern produces white blooms that turn into the poisonous red-orange berries. Their dark leaves, white flowers, and low maintenance needs make them a very popular choice for Spring décor. In fact, it is quite the opposite of asparagus, as asparagus is obviously edible, while the asparagus fern is highly toxic. Now he has shown that eating bracken isn't the only way of ingesting PTQs. Holm Rasmussen believes that "hot spots" of gastric and oesophageal cancer, from Wales to South America, could be explained by the leaching of PTQs from bracken into the water supply. The unharvested plants will grow woody stems and produce small red berries about 6 to 10 millimeters in diameter. However, it is considered to be toxic to animals and humans. If the berries come in contact with the skin, they may cause a rash at the point of contact. Some red-berried specimens, however, are poisonous to humans and animals if eaten or touched. In most cases, they will only cause a mild reaction, according to North Carolina State University Cooperative Extension Service. Asparagus fern is quite different from the edible asparagus vegetable we’ve discussed throughout this post. Dangers of Poisonous Houseplants. The berries of the Asparagus fern can cause gastrointestinal distress, with symptoms of vomiting and diarrhea when eaten, and the sap can induce a contact rash. If consumed, the berries of the plant may cause gastrointestinal issues, such as diarrhea, vomiting, and abdominal pain. She holds a bachelor's degree in English language and literature, a master's degree in English and a master's degree in information science. The asparagus fern (Asparagus sprengeri) is a common and fast-growing houseplant. Young shoots of asparagus are only somewhat toxic to humans when raw. Once the soil gets too acid (peat for example), or alkaline (limestone or chalk for example), then it becomes less mobile and degrades before reaching the groundwater," explains Holm Rasmussen. The foliage is used in floral arrangements, also. Sarah Morse has been a writer since 2009, covering environmental topics, gardening and technology. This plant contains irritants called sapogenins which can cause vomiting, anorexia and diarrhea, especially if the berries are consumed. Throughout the 1980s and 1990s doctors recorded a higher than average incidence of people suffering from gastric cancer in the county of Gwynedd, north Wales. "The situation is worst in sandy soils with a pH between five and six. "PTQ is somewhat like sugar, it dissolves easily and is just as mobile as pollutants like nitrates," says Holm Rasmussen. To prevent any toxic reaction, harvest shoots when they are between 6 and 10 inches (15 to 25cm) tall and the buds are still tightly closed. In the United States, many ornamental shrubs and small trees contain edible red, blue or white berries. Now he has shown that eating bracken isn't … Steam, grill or boil the stalks to your liking to render them toxic-free. General description: A perennial vine or herb arising from a rhizome or tuber and grown as an indoor or outdoor ornamental plant.The vine form is often used for … PTQs can be transferred into milk when cows nibble on bracken, particularly during the spring when the shoots are young and tasty. Holly berries are in fact poisonous to humans but not animals. What is more, PTQs are attracted towards water, so tend to concentrate in the buttermilk, rather than enter the cream, butter and cheese that will have been made from the fat that was skimmed off. This listing of toxic and non-toxic plants contains the most popular plants found in homes. Contact with the sap produced from this plant causes a low-level rash, usually only lasting a few minutes. Ingesting the berries is the biggest worry here, although repeated exposure to the plant can cause skin inflammation in the form of allergic dermatitis. Eating of berries may cause gastrointestinal problems. The Asparagus Fern is popular as a household plant despite technically being a weed. In Brazil and Japan young bracken shoots are often used in salads and cooking. Are Vegetable Plants Poisonous to Animals? Sandy soils act like motorways to the water supply, while peat soils and chalks are more like very windy country roads. "Some of these toxic natural products have a similar structure to PTQ and I think they will behave in a similar way," says Holm Rasmussen. Examples of non-poisonous plants. A number of important agricultural crops such as canola and clover already produce toxic natural products with similar structures to PTQ. Eating more than a handful of ripe berries from the asparagus plant may cause abdominal pain and vomiting. Asparagus densiflorus is frequently applied to include both species (misapplied in the case of A. aethiopicus). Poisonous to Humans Problem for Cats Problem for Dogs Problem for Horses; Poisonous to Humans: Poison Severity: Low Poison Symptoms: CAUSES ONLY LOW TOXICITY IF EATEN. There are no easy solutions to this problem. In most cases, they will only cause a mild reaction, according to North Carolina State University Cooperative Extension Service. But their toxic qualities are also quite clear, with higher incidences of cancer in both these countries. If you think that your animal is ill or may have ingested a poisonous substance, contact your local veterinarian or our 24-hour emergency poison hotline directly at 1-888-426-4435. 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