The toxicity of the golden rain
As beautiful and lovely as the laburnum makes itself as a bower or avenue plant - on the Laburnum almost all parts of the plant are poisonous. And that applies to all three species - the common laburnum, the noble laburnum and the alpine laburnum. The toxin cytisine is contained in the leaves, the flowers and especially in the bean-shaped seed fruits. The alpine laburnum also contains the toxin ammodendrin, especially in the leaves.
also read
- Cutting the laburnum - when, how and why?
- The iris in the garden: beautiful but poisonous
- Diseases and pests in the laburnum
Notice:
- all 3 types of laburnum are poisonous
- especially seeds highly poisonous
The effects of the poison
Cytisine is a quinolizidine alkaloid that acts similarly to nicotine in the brain. In fact, the leaves of the golden rain were smoked as a tobacco substitute for this reason in times of war. But if the plant parts are ingested directly, that is, chewed and swallowed, the result is not a harmless intoxication, but more serious symptoms of intoxication.
Burning and itching in the mouth are the first signs, followed by intense thirst and nausea with vomiting. Sweats and headaches are also side effects. In the case of severe poisoning, muscle cramps and paralysis also occur - in the worst case, the poisoning leads to death.
Which doses are dangerous?
In children, even a small amount of the most poisonous part of the plant, the seeds, is theoretically enough to cause fatal poisoning. Even the consumption of around 15 to 20 seeds or 4 to 5 seed pods can be fatal with them. In adults, the lethal dose is around 23 seed pods. The flowers are not quite as poisonous, but even here 12 pieces are enough to cause symptoms of poisoning.
measures
Young children should never play unsupervised near laburnum. Fortunately, once parts of the plant have been ingested, vomiting usually avoids the worst, which is why deaths are rare. In any case, you should call the emergency doctor immediately.