Is the bromeliad poisonous? Risks to humans and pets

the Bromeliad belongs to the pineapple family and is very popular because of its perennial, evergreen appearance. The good news for plant enthusiasts is that the plant is non-toxic, only the fruits are slightly toxic under certain circumstances. However, there is no fatal risk even if large amounts are consumed. Bromeliads are equally suitable for humans and animals, the greatest danger comes from the prickly leaves, which can be uncomfortable to touch.

risk of injury

Attention sting - danger to humans and animals

The toxicity of bromeliads is negligible, the spines pose a greater risk. These serve to ward off enemies and line the edges of the leaves. A careless touch is enough and the skin is injured. While humans can handle the trap with the right gloves, there is a fundamental risk of injury to animals. If possible, bromeliads should therefore not be placed within the direct reach of cats, dogs and small animals.

Foliage

The foliage is prickly, but completely non-toxic. Even accidental consumption by pets does not pose a poison risk, but does pose a risk of injury. The pleasant scent that bromeliads exude attracts insects again and again, so that the plant is a welcome home for many microorganisms. It is considered to be very robust and uses its spines to keep predators at bay. Not least because of their robustness, bromeliads are often used as indoor and balcony plants.

Toxicity

How poisonous are the fruits of the bromeliad?

Very few hobby gardeners succeed in growing a mini pineapple as a bromeliad fruit. In most cases, the plant will stay green for years without even bearing fruit. If it does succeed, the small fruits are slightly poisonous when unripe. This applies to humans and animals alike.

Eating an unripe pineapple can cause the following symptoms:

• malaise
• stomach pain
• Nausea and vomiting
• stomach pain
• diarrhea

Special hint: Pregnant women should definitely refrain from consuming bromeliads, as there is a risk of miscarriage. This applies to unripe fruit.

Maturity level

How do you recognize the degree of ripeness of the bromeliad fruit?

Whether the pineapple is poisonous or not depends entirely on the degree of ripeness. When the fruit is ripe, it can be consumed without hesitation. The smell test is a safe way to determine whether the fruit is already ripe. It then gives off a very aromatic smell and has lush green leaves. In the case of ripe fruits, the leaves can be easily pulled out of the forelock without using a lot of force.

Note: Did you know that even commercially available pineapples should only be consumed when ripe?

consumption

What to do when eating a bromeliad

If an unripe fruit has been eaten, it does not necessarily lead to symptoms. A healthy stomach often tolerates consumption without any problems or reacts only with a slight discomfort. The situation is different for people who already suffer from intolerance, such as fructose intolerance. Even small amounts of the fruit are sufficient to cause severe symptoms such as nausea and vomiting.

If you have severe intolerance symptoms, it makes sense to call the poison control center. There you will find important information about further behavior. It is often enough to wait a few hours and the symptoms relieve. For example, medical charcoal is available for this in the event of diarrhea.

animals

If animals have eaten an immature bromeliad, it is helpful to call the veterinary emergency service. A visit to the vet may sometimes be necessary, especially if large amounts of the fruit have been consumed. The danger here is more with dogs, as they often appreciate the taste of pineapple. If diarrhea, nausea and vomiting occur, the veterinarian can relieve the symptoms with suitable medication.

Consumption of foliage of the plant

If the leaves of a bromeliad have been consumed, no action is necessary. The foliage does not contain poison and is harmless to humans and animals.

However, there is a small risk due to the risk of injury from sharp spikes. If swallowed or ingested, the sharp leaves may cause wounds, which then lead to pain. It is therefore always advisable to keep the plant out of the reach of children and animals. While cats usually go to work cautiously and first sniff before they eat a plant, dogs like to bite recklessly. Since they can eat large parts at once, the mouth should be checked for wounds.

The leaves of bromeliads are not used in human nutrition. The plant is considered an ornamental rather than a useful plant. The ornamental pineapples are edible, but rarely the reason why bromeliads are bought.