94,129
edits
Changes
From Gardenology.org - Plant Encyclopedia and Gardening Wiki
Jump to navigationJump to searchno edit summary
{{Taxobox
| color = lightgreen
| name = ''Dieffenbachia''
| image = Colpfl29.jpg
| image_width = 250px
| image_caption = ''Dieffenbachia bowmannii''
| regnum = [[Plant]]ae
| divisio = [[Flowering plant|Magnoliophyta]]
| classis = [[Liliopsida]]
| ordo = [[Alismatales]]
| familia = [[Araceae]]
| genus = '''''Dieffenbachia'''''
| subdivision_ranks = [[Species]]
| subdivision =
See text.
}}
'''''Dieffenbachia''''' is a genus of [[tropical]] [[plant]]s in the Family [[Araceae]] noted for their patterned [[leaves]]. Members of this [[genus]] are popular as [[houseplant]]s because of their tolerance to shade. The ''Dieffenbachia'' is often referred to as the "King of Plants".
The [[cell (biology)|cell]]s of the ''Dieffenbachia'' plant contain needle-shaped [[calcium oxalate]] [[crystal]]s called [[Ergastic substances|raphides]]. If a leaf is chewed, these crystals cause a burning [[sensation]] in the [[mouth]] and [[throat]]; [[swelling]] can occur along with a temporary inability to [[speak]], and from this effect the plants are commonly called '''dumb cane''' (other names include Galatea and Leopard Lily). Chewing could result in [[death]] if swelling of the throat blocks the [[airway]]. [[slavery|Slave]]s were supposedly sometimes [[punish]]ed by having dieffenbachia put into their mouths <ref>{{cite journal
| authorlink = John T. Watson et al
| title = Outbreak of Food-borne Illness Associated with Plant Material Containing Raphides
| journal = Clinical Toxicology
| volume = 43
| pages = 17-21
| date = 2005
| publisher = Taylor & Francis
| doi = 10.1081/CLT-44721}}</ref>. Young children (at the age where they regularly put things into their mouths) are at risk of suffocation and death if they eat or chew on ''Dieffenbachia'' leaves. Some [[cat]]s eat houseplants and flowers; they are similarly at risk.
==Favorable conditions for houseplants==
''Dieffenbachia'' plants can grow outdoors in tropical climates, but specimens kept as houseplants must be kept indoors during most of the year outside the tropics. Temperatures below about 5˚C (40˚F) can kill the plant. The plant needs light but filtered sunlight through a window is usually sufficient. When the plant is brought home from the nursery, it will likely need repotting. The plant needs moderately moist soil. The soil should be fertilized with either regular liquid fertilizing or fertilizer pellets or spikes. Leaves will periodically roll up and fall off to make way for new leaves. Yellowing of the leaves is generally a sign of poor conditions, such as a nutrient deficiency in the soil.
===Selected species===
*''[[Dieffenbachia amoena]]''
*''[[Dieffenbachia maculata]]''
*''[[Dieffenbachia seguine]]''
==References==
<references/>
{{Commons|Dieffenbachia}}
[[Category:Araceae]]
[[Category:Garden plants]]
| color = lightgreen
| name = ''Dieffenbachia''
| image = Colpfl29.jpg
| image_width = 250px
| image_caption = ''Dieffenbachia bowmannii''
| regnum = [[Plant]]ae
| divisio = [[Flowering plant|Magnoliophyta]]
| classis = [[Liliopsida]]
| ordo = [[Alismatales]]
| familia = [[Araceae]]
| genus = '''''Dieffenbachia'''''
| subdivision_ranks = [[Species]]
| subdivision =
See text.
}}
'''''Dieffenbachia''''' is a genus of [[tropical]] [[plant]]s in the Family [[Araceae]] noted for their patterned [[leaves]]. Members of this [[genus]] are popular as [[houseplant]]s because of their tolerance to shade. The ''Dieffenbachia'' is often referred to as the "King of Plants".
The [[cell (biology)|cell]]s of the ''Dieffenbachia'' plant contain needle-shaped [[calcium oxalate]] [[crystal]]s called [[Ergastic substances|raphides]]. If a leaf is chewed, these crystals cause a burning [[sensation]] in the [[mouth]] and [[throat]]; [[swelling]] can occur along with a temporary inability to [[speak]], and from this effect the plants are commonly called '''dumb cane''' (other names include Galatea and Leopard Lily). Chewing could result in [[death]] if swelling of the throat blocks the [[airway]]. [[slavery|Slave]]s were supposedly sometimes [[punish]]ed by having dieffenbachia put into their mouths <ref>{{cite journal
| authorlink = John T. Watson et al
| title = Outbreak of Food-borne Illness Associated with Plant Material Containing Raphides
| journal = Clinical Toxicology
| volume = 43
| pages = 17-21
| date = 2005
| publisher = Taylor & Francis
| doi = 10.1081/CLT-44721}}</ref>. Young children (at the age where they regularly put things into their mouths) are at risk of suffocation and death if they eat or chew on ''Dieffenbachia'' leaves. Some [[cat]]s eat houseplants and flowers; they are similarly at risk.
==Favorable conditions for houseplants==
''Dieffenbachia'' plants can grow outdoors in tropical climates, but specimens kept as houseplants must be kept indoors during most of the year outside the tropics. Temperatures below about 5˚C (40˚F) can kill the plant. The plant needs light but filtered sunlight through a window is usually sufficient. When the plant is brought home from the nursery, it will likely need repotting. The plant needs moderately moist soil. The soil should be fertilized with either regular liquid fertilizing or fertilizer pellets or spikes. Leaves will periodically roll up and fall off to make way for new leaves. Yellowing of the leaves is generally a sign of poor conditions, such as a nutrient deficiency in the soil.
===Selected species===
*''[[Dieffenbachia amoena]]''
*''[[Dieffenbachia maculata]]''
*''[[Dieffenbachia seguine]]''
==References==
<references/>
{{Commons|Dieffenbachia}}
[[Category:Araceae]]
[[Category:Garden plants]]
