How toxic is wisteria / wisteria to humans, dogs or cats?

Wisteria is a majestic climbing shrub that can reach heights of up to 20 meters. Its deciduous foliage consists of decorative pinnate leaves. In spring it inspires with hanging, blue flower clusters, which transform into legumes up to 15 cm long in late summer. In view of so much floral splendor, the question rightly arises how toxic the wisteria is for humans and animals. Read here how it is with the toxicity.

Ingredients harmful to health

A wisteria is permeated by various ingredients that can cause poisoning in humans. Since these toxins differ in terms of their type, concentration and effect on the organism, they are described in detail below.

Lectin

Lectin in seeds and pods

Lectins are found in almost all legumes and cause health problems in their raw state or in higher concentrations. This means that haricot beans can only be safely eaten once they have been cooked through.

The fruits of the miracle tree contain lectins in the form of ricin in such high doses that even a few grams are fatal. Thus, the legumes of a wisteria should also be treated with caution. Consumption of 2 seeds in children and 3 or more seeds in adults causes the following symptoms of intoxication.

Symptoms of poisoning:

• dilated pupils
• Paleness of the face
• severe headache
• Nausea and vomiting
• Stomach cramps and diarrhea

In the worst case, consuming large amounts of pods and seeds can lead to circulatory collapse, which is fatal with subsequent cardiac arrest. Fatally, the pulses exert an irresistible charm on children because when ripe they burst with a loud bang to hurl the seeds out.

Wistarin

Wistarin in the bark and roots

You don't get rid of the toxic hazard by pruning the withered flowers of a wisteria in time for the legumes to grow. There are other toxins in the bark and roots. This is wistarin, a glycoside that occurs exclusively in wisteria.

Scientists have not yet made a definitive classification of the danger. The fact is that this plant poison is absorbed through skin contact or consumption. Above an unknown amount, wistarin damages the central nervous system and causes vomiting up to and including acute respiratory paralysis.

Consumption of bark and roots in a harmful amount is unlikely, as wistarin has a very unpleasant, bitter taste. The uptake through skin contact is more likely to be possible. This is especially true if gardeners do not protect themselves against contact with the sap when pruning by wearing gloves.

Alkaloids

Alkaloids in all parts of the plant

Scientists have found more than 10,000 alkaloids in the plant world. These organic compounds are all toxic and signal their presence with a bitter taste.

If alkaloids get into the organism through consumption or contact, they have - depending on the species - a characteristic, mostly health-threatening effect. Although the alkaloids detected in wisteria are comparatively harmless, they can nonetheless sensitive people due to skin contact dermatitis and other painful skin irritations trigger.

First aid measures

First aid measures in case of poisoning

If the typical symptoms of wisteria poisoning occur in adults or children, immediate action is required. First press the emergency call. While waiting for medical attention, take these first aid measures.

Measures:

• give the child or adult water or tea to drink in small sips
• Never give milk to drink or induce vomiting in any way
• Give medicinal charcoal only as directed by a doctor
• After skin contact, clean the affected areas of skin under running water
• If you are unconscious, check your breathing and, if necessary, carry out resuscitation measures
• if the person breathes independently, bring them into a stable lateral position

Please keep calm, because panic worsens the symptoms for the person concerned. Cover the person warmly and stay with them. If possible, keep eye contact during all actions.

Toxic to animals

Toxic to dogs and cats

The toxins lurking in wisteria also pose a life-threatening threat to dogs and cats. In view of the smaller body size, even small amounts are sufficient to induce vomiting, diarrhea, circulatory collapse and cardiac arrest. So act immediately if your pet has been eaten by a wisteria.

Measures:

• Remove all plant remains from the mouth and secure it in a bag
• outsource the tongue and clear the airways
• contact the veterinarian immediately
• Call one of the poison control centers outside of office hours

Please do not self-medicate, such as giving fluids or inducing vomiting. Take parts of plants or vomit with you to the vet. The more precisely the cause of the poisoning can be identified, the more effective measures the veterinarian can take.

Incidentally, the wisteria is not only poisonous for dogs and cats. The different parts of the plant can also be fatal to guinea pigs, rabbits, hamsters or birds. Even large horses are not immune to the toxins. Therefore, never use the leaves, flowers, pods or roots of wisteria as green fodder or throw away clippings in a pasture.

Alternative climbing plants

Alternative climbing plants for the family garden

In terms of toxicity, a Japanese or Chinese wisteria is not suitable for every ornamental garden. Wherever there are small children, dogs and cats, there is great interest in fast-growing, hardy climbing plants that are not dangerous when touched. We looked around in the realm of mother nature and put together the following alternatives for you.

Grapevines (Vitis)

With their liana-like tendrils, vines move on a par with wisteria in terms of vigor. Varieties such as the 'Vanessa' or 'Birstaler Muskat' grapes can be used to plant trellises in next to no time with an annual increase of up to 300 cm. The advantage for the family garden is that grapevines are not only completely non-toxic, but also produce juicy-sweet table grapes in autumn.

Climbing hydrangeas (Hydrangea anomala)

In contrast to the winding wisteria, a climbing hydrangea has adhesive organs. This means that it does not necessarily have to rely on a climbing aid for the greening of facades, arbors and pergolas. You can fully enjoy the magnificent flowers in summer, because this climbing shrub is not poisonous in any way.

Climbing Roses (Rosa)

They take their time to grow and are often armed with thorns. Nevertheless, climbing roses are a suitable alternative to wisteria. Depending on the variety, you can achieve a height of 2 to 15 meters and bloom several times a year. It is important for the garden with children and pets that they do not carry any harmful substances with them.

Most other climbers are unfortunately not a suitable alternative because they also contain toxins. This applies, for example, to the clematis (clematis), the honeysuckle (Lonicera), the spindle bush (Euonymus fortunei), the wild wine (Parthenocissus quinquefolia) or the climbing trumpet (Campsis).