English ivy-Hedera helix L.-Poisonous plant

English ivy

General poisoning notes:

English ivy (Hedera helix) is an indoor and outdoor ornamental vine. This plant contains saponins, which have caused poisoning in cattle, dogs, sheep, and humans. Two chemicals in the sap can also cause severe contact dermatitis in sensitive humans. Cases of poisoning are found in older European literature; the plant grows naturally in Europe. Cattle that ingested large quantities of the vines were ill for a few days. Humans who ingested the berries have shown symptoms, including coma. Dermatitis is rare but can be severe. Weeping lesions and blisters respond slowly to treatment (Cooper and Johnson 1984, Massmanian et al. 1980). Family pets should not be allowed to eat English ivy leaves.

Nomenclature:

Scientific Name: Hedera helix L.

Vernacular name(s): English ivy

Scientific family name: Araliaceae

Vernacular family name: aralia

Geographic Information

Plant or plant parts used in or around the home.

Notes on Poisonous plant parts:

The sap contained in the leaves and stems of English ivy can cause dermatitis and irritation in sensitive humans. The dermatitis usually occurs after pruning the plant (Massmanian et al. 1988). The leaves and fruit contain saponins that hydrolyze into toxic hederin compounds. These toxins have caused poisoning in animals and humans (Cooper and Johnson 1984).

Toxic parts:

Leaves, mature fruit, plant juices.

Notes on Toxic plant chemicals:

English ivy contains hederasaponins, which undergo partial hydrolysis to form toxic substances (micro -hederin and beta-hederin). These toxins can cause poisoning in humans and other animals if ingested in sufficient quantities. English ivy also contains allergenic and irritant chemicals, falcarinol and didehydrofalcarinol, which cause intense burning and dermatitis in sensitive humans (Cooper and Johnson 1984; Massmanian et al. 1988).

Toxic plant chemicals:

didehydrofalcarinol
falcarinol
hederasaponins

Animals/Human Poisoning:

Note: When an animal is listed without additional information, the literature (as of 1993) contained no detailed explanation.

Cattle

Dogs

General symptoms of poisoning:

Agitation, diarrhea, muscle spasms, paralysis, vomiting.

Humans

General symptoms of poisoning:

Blisters, weeping, breathing, labored, coma, convulsions, diarrhea, erythema, muscle spasms, paralysis, vomiting.

Notes on poisoning:

Cattle that ingested large quantities of English ivy vine became ill and excitable, started staggering, and bellowed loudly. The odor of crushed ivy leaves was on the breath and in the milk. Recovery was quick and complete in three days (Cooper and Johnson 1984). English ivy berries are often listed as being poisonous to children, and cases of English ivy poisoning are listed in older European literature. Symptoms of ingestion included laboured breathing, coma, convulsions, and excitation (Cooper and Johnson 1984). Frohne and Pfander (1983) state that the ripe berries are dry and taste bitter. Large quantities are unlikely to be consumed by children.