Many a beauty in bloom hides a poisonous secret. Experienced hobby gardeners therefore inquire beforehand about the possible poison content of a plant before they worry about the consequences afterwards. You can find out here how the clematis is doing in this respect.
Beautiful sight with corrosive inner workings
As the profile of a clematis tells us, it belongs to the buttercup family. This attribute makes the botanist prick up their ears, because these plants often contain the toxin protoanemonin. The alkaloid causes severe inflammation in humans and animals if the plant sap comes into contact with the skin. How to prevent impairments safely:
- Always wear protective gloves when caring for clematis
- Also wear protective goggles during the pruning
- Long pants and long-sleeved shirts prevent contact with the sap
So that pets do not nibble on a clematis, flowers and leaves should be inaccessible to four-legged friends or planting should be avoided. Another precautionary measure is not to dispose of clippings in the compost or in a nearby meadow.
For these animals, consumption is fatal
In addition to the classic pets such as dogs and cats, eating large amounts of clematis can have fatal consequences in the following animals:
- guinea pigs and hamsters
- turtles
- hares and rabbits
- all bird species
- horses and cows
- sheep and goats
While adult animals usually spit out the clematis after the first bite, inexperienced puppies and other young animals continue to nibble on it.
tips and tricks
In the Middle Ages, beggars used the poisonous effect to arouse pity. They rubbed the skin with clematis sap to induce skin inflammation and ulcers. It is not known to what extent the citizens' willingness to donate increased as a result.