With its green-yellow leaves, fragrant flowers and small, round berries, the gold privet attracts a lot of attention. Young children may be tempted to explore further. Can her curiosity have life-threatening consequences?
The black berries of the gold privet are poisonous
ingredients
The ingredients of the Goldliguster are not fully secured. In this context, some sources speak of the three glycosides syringin, ligustroside and oleuropein. However, most statements about the toxicity of the gold liguster are based on experience.
Poisonous parts of plants
All parts of the plant that are visible above ground can be classified as poisonous. While the bark and leaves are considered mildly toxic, the concentration of toxins in the small black berries is higher. But they in particular represent a seduction for small children.
tips
Cut back the privet in good time so that no berries can ripen. If no danger is to be feared, they can and should stay tuned, because they are a delicacy for many bird species.
Be careful when cutting
If you just touch the leaves of the gold privet in passing, you have nothing to fear. But if you have this fast-growing plant mainly as a hedge in the garden, you have to cut it frequently. Numerous small leaves are cut in half. Direct skin contact can cause skin irritation in sensitive individuals, which is why it is advisable to wear gloves.
symptoms of poisoning
Consuming 10 berries is considered safe. Larger amounts can result in some uncomfortable symptoms:
- nausea
- a headache
- stomach cramps
- Vomit
- skin inflammation
However, even small amounts can be dangerous for small children and people with heart and circulatory problems. For pets, the risk is even greater. For them, eating just a few berries can be deadly.
measures
Give the affected person plenty of still water to drink, this weakens the concentration of the poison in the body. If you are unsure of the severity of the poisoning, consult a doctor as a precaution.