table of contents
- Toxicity
- Poisonous effect
- Likelihood of confusion
- Deadly nightshade
- Effect on animals
Asian, especially Japanese, ornamental shrubs have been popular with gardeners from all over the world for centuries because of their beauty and growth. These also include the Weigelia (bot. Weigelia), which fascinate children and adults alike with their splendor and the clearly recognizable calyxes. Each of the ten weigela species forms fruits in addition to the picturesque flowers. These berries are mostly black and red in color and many parents and pet owners are wondering: Are weigelia poisonous?
Toxicity
Is the weigela poisonous?
You can rest assured that weigelia are in everyone Parts of plants completely non-toxic. Even the berries are not poisonous and can be consumed without the risk of poisoning. The entire plant poses no danger to humans or animals and so even small children can use the Berry or play parts of plants in the garden. However, children often refrain from consuming the berries, as they are inedible and are usually spat out immediately after trying them. If a large amount of the weigela fruit has been consumed, the following symptoms may occur due to the inedibility.
- slight nausea
- Stomach discomfort
Poisonous effect
The effect does not leave any lasting damage and there is no need to go to a doctor. However, especially small children and infants should not eat the berries, otherwise their stomachs will get upset. Since the digestion is much more sensitive in the first months and years of life, too many berries could lead to diarrhea or easy vomiting, especially if something else was eaten beforehand. Of course, small children in particular should always be watched when playing with the berries, as they can easily be swallowed and get stuck in their throats. Playing with the shoots, leaves, flowers and even roots is also safe.
Tip: Weigelia are ideal plants for your garden if you have offspring and pets, as they are not only non-toxic, but also do not develop thorns or other defense mechanisms. Even sensitive or ailing people can easily touch the Weigelia species and even cut them.
Likelihood of confusion
Caution!
As beautiful as the Weigela are, the risk of confusion with other poisonous plants is high. We are mainly talking about species that are also Berry fruits and especially difficult to tell apart by children.
We are talking about the following plants, which all make berries:
- Common ivy (bot. Hedera helix)
- Juniper (bot. Juniperus)
- Elderberry (bot. Sambucus)
- Laurel cherry (bot. Prunus laurocerasus)
- Lily of the valley (bot. Convallaria majalis)
- Thorn apples (bot. Datura)
Deadly nightshade
the Deadly nightshade (bot. Atropa belladonna) should also be mentioned here, even if it is less often confused with the other plants. Your protégés can hardly distinguish these berries from one another because they are kept in the same or similar colors. For this reason, it is important to explain to your children which berries are edible and which are not. If you have one of the poisonous plants in the garden, it is of course easier to take safety precautions so that your protégés do not eat the berries.
Tip: Rowan berries may look similar to Weigela berries in the eyes of children, but despite their bad reputation, they can be consumed as they are not poisonous. In the raw state, the berries are inedible due to the parasorbic acid they contain and large quantities of them can cause stomach pain, but the effect is non-toxic.
Effect on animals
Weigela is also non-toxic for animals. Self Cats and Rodents are allowed to consume the plants in all parts, but in most cases they do without it due to the inedibility. Even cats, who are known for chewing on all the plants in the area, can safely take the leaves of the weigela between their teeth. So if you spot bite marks on the flowers or leaves of your weigelia, then you don't have to worry. dogs can also play with the individual parts of the plant and even chew on the shoots and branches.
Tip: Birds eat the fruits of the weigela more often because they contain many nutrients and in most cases are not used as a food source by other animals. The best thing about it: You can look forward to flying guests in the garden.