Some years ago a very mysterious huge (but very stunning) plant appeared in our garden. It took a long time before we managed to identify it. A neighbour had one appear at the same time and assumed that seeds must have been dropped by birds. Eventually we found out it was a dracunculus vulgaris and were told that its common name was Devil's Stinkhorn. In the evening it really did stink. The first year it had one flower and each year, over the next 4 or 5 years, they increased to 12 and it was taking up a lot of ground so we dug it up. It has now re-emerged but not flowered this year. We obviously didn't get all the root. What I really would like to know is whether anyone knows if any part of this plant is poisonous as we have a toddler grandchild in the family now and don't wish to put her at risk. I can't find any information on this so it might be that it is quite safe but I'd prefer to know for sure if anyone has information. Thanks. Emma.
I rather think they are. Almost all of the Aroid family are poisonous to a more or less degree. Certainly the bulbs of this plant are not edible.
I just read that the roots and berries are poisonous . . . also it stinks because it depends on flies and other insects for pollination . . . By the way, while I was searching I found the following to be poisonous plants: - Oleander - The hard red and black seeds of the Crab's Eye creeper. Just one seed crushed is enough to kill a grown-up. - Daphne berries - Castor Oil Plant - Angel's Trumpets (Brugmansia) - Yellow Oleander (Cascabela) - Yellow berries of the White Cedar tree (Melia) - Arum Lilies and other arum-type lilies - Carolina Jessamine (Gelsemium) - Foxgloves
Yes Songofjoy the sad thing if you read on most flowers and plants are poisonous.Very few of them or not.Just make sure your grandchild is watched closly if in the yard.I raised mine with all kinds of plants.
Thank you Song of Joy and Glendann. I appreciate the information. I always suspected that some of the plant could be poisonous and suspected that it would be the berries. Many of the lily family seem to be poisonous and this one is certainly a lily type flower. I hadn't thought about the roots though. I really would like to keep it if it flowers again but if we do so we will have to limit its growth this time and, as you say, watch the child extremely closely. I think it would be better, perhaps, if I remove flowers before they become seed heads. Emma
