Article extract out of today's paper:

While they may look pretty and provide a homey look, some common houseplants are dangerous for curious babies and toddlers since the plant leaves may look like candy and at that age they tend to put anything in the mouths.

Some of the most popular toxic plants found in homes and gardens are azelea, buttercups, daffodil, dieffenbachia, elephant ear, jonquil, lily-of-the-valley, morning glory and tulip. They may cause a range of symptoms from a mild stomach ache, skin rash, swelling of the mouth and throat to involvement of the heart, kidneys or other organs.

If you choose to have plants of this nature around young children you need to document both the common and scientific name of each one. In this manner if you have to take a child to an emergency room or call a poison center, they can more quickly determine the appropriate treatment.

If you are not positive on identification you can take the plant to a nursery for identification.

The article lists safe plants as weeping willow, petunia, african violet, daisies, dandelion, dogwood, gardenia, spider plant and ficus, which includes the rubber tree and weeping fig tree.

For more information on toxic plants go to www.rosefloral.com.

-- Ken S. in WC TN (scharabo@aol.com), September 13, 2000

Answers

Poinsettias are poisonous.

-- Cindy (atilrthehony_1@yahoo.com), September 13, 2000.