Is wild wine poisonous? Information for children, farm animals and pets

Wild wine, also known under the name "Jungfernrebe", is a popular ornamental plant from North America and Asia that is increasingly found in German gardens. The virgin vines are climbing plants that are attached to buildings with the help of adhesive discs or climbing aids grow along and very decorative with their leaves and the spherical grape fruits works. Because of the fruit formation, the question often arises: is wild wine poisonous?

Toxicity

Caution: risk of confusion

Yes, wild grapevine is poisonous, but before we can examine the toxicity of the plant, you need to understand how it differs from wild grapevine. The wild wine and the wild grapevine are not the same plant, but they are often confused because of the German name. This mix-up resulted in poisoning by the virgin vines. However, the differences between the individual plants are immediately noticeable when the botanical name is used.

• Wild Wine: Parthenocissus
• Wild grapevine: Vitis vinifera subsp. sylvestris

Grapevines

Both plants come from the same family, the Grapevines (bot. Vitaceae) and are related to each other for this reason. Many morphological properties are similar, but the wild grapevine does not form toxic ingredients and can be safely consumed by humans. It belongs to the genus of grapevines (bot. Vitis), while wild wine is a genus of its own. In addition, you have to make sure that three species of the genus Parthenocissus are designated as wild wine.

Self-climbing virgin vine (bot. Parthenocissus quinquefolia)

• most common form
• occurs overgrown in Germany

Common Virgin Vine (bot. Parthenocissus vitacea)

• still referred to as climbing wall wine

Three-pronged virgin vine (bot. Parthenocissus tricuspidata)

• comes from Asia, not America

That said, you definitely need to check which one it is before buying a plant. This will minimize the chances of poisoning. One of the biggest differences between wild grapevine and wild wine is the lack of adhesive discs in Vitis vinifera subsp. sylvestris. Parthenocissus, on the other hand, forms an extremely large number of adhesive discs that support growth. In addition, the wild grapevine is higher and reaches up to 40 meters, while virgin vines reach a maximum of 30 meters in the wild.

Tip: Since the wild grapevine is the wild form of the noble grapevine used for wine and table grapes (bot. Vitis vinifera subsp. vinifera), you can simply grow this plant in your garden instead of the wild wine. It is just as decorative and best of all: from September you can look forward to small, ripe fruits that you and your children can eat without hesitation.

ingredients

The virgin vines are only to be regarded as slightly poisonous due to their ingredients. In itself, there is only one substance in question, and that is Oxalic acid. Oxalic acid is a discarboxylic acid, which in turn belongs to the carboxylic acids and is most commonly found in plants. The stalks and leaves of rhubarb have one of the highest concentrations of all, at up to 765 milligrams per 100 grams. The following health problems may occur when taking high amounts of oxalic acid.

• Calcium metabolism is disrupted
• chronic kidney damage is possible
• Kidney stones can form
• Mucous membranes are permanently damaged
• Skin and subcutaneous tissue are permanently damaged

It is still not clear how high the concentration of the Oxalic acid is within the Wild Wine. However, it is certain that a dose of five to 15 grams of oxalic acid can be fatal, depending on human health. So far, only one death has been linked to wild wine berries and large quantities have been consumed in the process. With small amounts of the fruit, a lethal dose is not to be expected, however frequent consumption could lead to the problems listed above. Therefore, foods containing oxalic acid should rarely be ingested, especially in people who have kidney problems or kidney stones.

Poisonous effect

Effect on humans

The berries and leaves of the wild wine have a toxic effect on humans and should therefore not be consumed or only in extremely small quantities. The dark blue to black berries are particularly poisonous. In comparison, the leaves contain little oxalic acid, taste bitter and for this reason not even children are interested in these. Wild grape is poisonous in all parts of the plant and therefore small children in particular are at risk when they explore their surroundings and, for example, get their hands on a piece of the root. The following symptoms can occur after eating the plant, especially with the berries.

• Vomit
• diarrhea
• increased urination
• general nausea
• irritant effect on the mucous membranes
• irritant effect on the eyes if juice gets into them
• Irritation of the respiratory tract, especially in sensitive people and children

children

Children in particular feel the consumption of the berries with greater intensity, as the organism is more sensitive and more susceptible to oxalic acid. Therefore, if a grapevine grows in or near your garden, you need to be careful so that your children do not poison themselves. In adults, no action needs to be taken after a few berries, as the oxalic acid then only deposited and broken down in the body for a period of time, but no direct symptoms appear. That doesn't happen until you harvest the grapes and eat one bowl at a time.

In the event of symptoms of poisoning, proceed as follows:

• Drink water or tea
• Magnesium tablets should be administered if high amounts of berries are consumed
• these work against the deposits of oxalic acid and wash them out of the body
• a pediatrician or hospital should be contacted if young children do not feel better from fluids
• if juice gets into eyes, rinse immediately

Tip: Be sure to wear gloves when touching the stems and leaves of the wild wine, as these contain raphide. Raphiden are fine crystal needles made from calcium oxalate that penetrate the skin of sensitive people can penetrate, cause irritation and blisters and are best treated with soap or rubbing alcohol should.

animals

Effect on Pets

Wild wine is also poisonous for dogs and cats, as the oxalic acid has a stronger effect on them than on humans. The complaints and possible health consequences are even more pronounced and can severely affect pets. Dogs are just as endangered as cats, as the grapes for both types of animal taste quite good and are particularly poisonous. Oxalic acid triggers the following symptoms in animals, which should not be ignored.

• cramps
• Discomfort when swallowing
• Vomit
• Diarrhea, in bad cases even bloody
• general nausea
• increased salivation
• Kidney damage
• swollen tongue
• Shortness of breath

Cats and dogs can also suffer from irritation of the oral cavity if you chew on the plant parts of the wild wine. Small animals such as guinea pigs or rabbits can be in mortal danger even after small amounts.

Farm animals

Effect on farm animals

Wild wine should not be fed to farm animals, and if there are plants nearby, they should be removed or made inaccessible. While cows have no visible problems from eating them, horses can suffer from increased salivation and bloody diarrhea. However, since oxalic acid is toxic in the long term, cows must also be supplied with calcium so that the oxalic acid deposits are not too high.