table of contents
- Sun hat
- Toxicity
- Likelihood of confusion
Sun hats captivate with their wonderful flowers, which stretch towards the sun in yellow, pink or purple. But be careful, not all sun hats are the same, because two botanically different types of plants are hidden under this common name.
Sun hat
Sun hats or rudbeckia
The botanical Sun hat bears the scientific name Echinacea and is also known as the sun hat or hedgehog head. Rudbeckia (botanical Rudbeckia) are another genus of plants from the sunflower family (Asteraceae). They are also called sun hats because of the drooping ray florets that form the shape of a hat. Strictly speaking, "Rudbeckia fulgida" means common coneflower. Hedgehog heads get their name from their chaff leaves, which tower over tubular flowers like small spines of a hedgehog. The trivial and botanical names of these "hats" are part of the program, as their generic name "Echinacea" is derived from the Greek word for sea urchin (echínos).
Toxicity
Whether sun hats or rudbeckia, neither of the two plant species is poisonous. They are very suitable as garden plants for households with children and / or dogs and cats. Nothing is known about poisoning in children after eating the plant, but the hedgehog's head is known as Medicinal plant especially valued as a tea. But even if hedgehog heads can be drunk as tea, they are and will remain ornamental plants and are therefore not suitable for consumption.
According to the Institute for Veterinary Pharmacology and Toxicology, no cases of poisoning have so far been described in the animal. Nevertheless, the Zurich Institute expressly points out that neither sun hats nor rudbeckia are suitable as animal feed. As far as cats snack on sun hats, the plant is considered harmless, as well as for dogs. Nevertheless, as a precaution, you should keep an eye on your darling when he is nibbling on his sun hats.
Likelihood of confusion
Sun hats are often confused with:
- Rudbeckia (non-toxic)
- Pericallis hybrids (highly poisonous)
- Rudbeckia are often confused with:
- Aster species (non-toxic)
- Hedgehog heads (non-toxic)
- Midday gold (Gazania rigens, non-toxic)
- Stiff Sunflower (Helianthus pauciflorus, non-toxic)
- Pericallis hybrids (highly poisonous)
