If an unsightly wall or facade needs to be greened, most gardeners use common ivy. The plant also grows well in the shade, keeps its leaves in summer and winter, climbs without any trellis and requires almost no maintenance, apart from perhaps an occasional cut. Perfect qualities for a garden plant – if it weren’t for the ugly trait that ivy is poisonous. But what does toxic mean in this case and is ivy basically toxic? What do children, adults and pets have to fear?
Table of Contents
Characteristics
- botanischer Name: Hedera helix
- Distribution: all of Europe and North America
- evergreen shade plant
- Climbing plant with clinging roots
- Growth height up to 20 m
- Shoots protrude with age
- Flowers: inconspicuous greenish (only develop with age)
- Fruits: roundish violet-black berries in racemose arrangement
Is all ivy poisonous?
In principle, it is completely correct to describe ivy as poisonous. However, there are big differences between the different plants. Ivy contains two substances that are harmful to health. These toxins or allergens accumulate in the different parts of the plant. In principle, two types of plants must be distinguished because of their poisonous effect:
- Ground cover ivy and juvenile form of Hedera helix
- Fruiting adult form Hedera helix ‘Arbonrescens’
stages of life
At first glance, one might think that ivy is just ivy. But that is not correct. The common ivy is really dangerous when it develops flowers and fruits. However, this is only the case in the so-called adult form, which is botanically called Hedera helix ‘Arbonrescens’. The name has less to do with the actual age of the plant and more to do with its height. Ivy goes through different development phases, which differ significantly from each other. The first phase of the vine’s life is to wriggle out of the shady areas under trees towards the light. When the end of the tree – and with it the light – is reached, the second phase of life begins. Only now does Hedera helix develop flowers and can thus produce fruit. However, as a result, ivy loses its ability to climb.
If you take a closer look, you can easily see which stage of development it is. These bushy, non-climbing ivy plants need a slightly sunnier spot. While young shoots and plants have the typical three- or five-lobed leaf shape, the leaves of the adult form are heart-shaped. In addition, the compact bushes bloom profusely in autumn and form blue-black berries.
toxins
The plant contains toxins in all parts of the plant. However, the concentration of the individual toxins differs greatly depending on whether it is the leaves or the fruit of the ivy.
Saponin (Hederin) in den Beeren
Saporins are found in high concentrations in the black berries in particular. Therefore, the fruits pose a serious risk, primarily for small children. The first symptoms of poisoning can occur after eating two to three berries. Symptoms are expressed in
- nausea and vomiting
- rapid or irregular pulse
- Irritations in the gastrointestinal tract
- a headache
When ingesting larger amounts, the following symptoms appear:
- severe diarrhea
- cramps
- shock
- Apnea
Falcarinol in the leaves
Frequent touching of the ivy, especially when it is pruned annually, carries the risk of becoming sensitized to the allergens (falcarinol and dihydrofalcarinol) mainly contained in the leaves. This is why sometimes an allergic contact dermatitis develops on the skin years later. Dermatologists therefore recommend preventive measures in the form of gloves and long clothing not only for professional gardeners, but also for hobby gardeners to protect themselves. Typical skin reactions include:
- itchy redness
- later blistering
- pronounced edema
First Aid Measures
The berries of ivy taste very bitter, which is why ingestion of larger amounts is not to be expected. However, if signs of poisoning appear in children or pets, the emergency services and the poison control center should be notified. The people there know their way around very well and can prevent worse consequences or even save lives. In case of intensive contact with the skin, it should be rinsed off immediately with cold water. Regardless of the type of contact with the ivy, a doctor should always be consulted in an emergency (at the latest when the first symptoms appear).
danger for children
Young children may be attracted to the berries and encouraged to eat them. It is therefore advisable not to plant ivy in places where children can reach it. Especially not during flowering and fruiting. The flesh of these ivy berries contains most of the poison and leads to the first symptoms of poisoning after eating just two to three of the small, blue-black globules. But even the leaves are not without their share when they are picked and chopped up by children’s hands or even end up in their mouths. However, they represent the lesser evil compared to the berries.
danger to animals
Many insects feed on the nectar in the ivy flowers. Since the flowers ripen at a time when most other plants are already wilting, namely in the fall, they offer numerous bees, bumblebees and butterflies a chance to feast on the nectar late in the year. Native garden birds like to eat the ivy berries. You don’t seem to mind the toxins. And even donkeys show no symptoms after eating ivy. However, ivy is poisonous for:
- dogs and cats
- Rabbits
- Rodents such as guinea pigs and hamsters
- ornamental birds
Remove ivy plants
If you have pets, allergy sufferers or small children in the household, you should ban ivy from the garden for the sake of safety. It is essential to remove the whole plant, including the roots, from the ground, because ivy is an undemanding plant, very stubborn and difficult to drive out. Long clothing and gloves should be worn for this purpose, so that there is no contact with the skin.
Conclusion
Small children are particularly at risk from eating the purple-black ivy berries, which only form in the adult form of ivy, which is botanically called Hedera helix ‘Arbonrescens’. Adults take an incalculable risk when pruning the climbing plant, because this can lead to allergies and contact eczema – sometimes only after repeated skin contact. It is irrelevant which form of ivy it is.
