Monstera deliciosa 龜背竹

POISONOUS PARTS

Sap, stems and leaves.^2,3

TOXICITY

• Toxic Constituents　

  Calcium oxalate raphides and dumbcain.^4–7

• Toxic Dose　

  A small piece of the plant can be toxic.^4–7

• Mechanism　

  The toxic mechanism of the poisonous plants in the Araceae family is not fully understood. Calcium oxalate raphides stored in specialized cells known as idioblasts are released when subjected to mechanical pressure such as ingestion and contact, causing tissue irritation and inflammation. Other toxic ingredients that are commonly found in the family, such as sapotoxins and cyanogenic glycosides, may also play a role.^6,8

• Poisoning Features　

  Severe pain, burning sensation and inflammation of the oral cavity, tongue, throat and oesophagus; it can also cause salivation, vomiting, diarrhoea, dysphagia, dysphonia and even airway obstruction.^4–7

CLINICAL MANAGEMENT

Supportive treatment. Maintenance of airway by intubation or tracheostomy may be required for severe cases with airway compromise.^7,9

IDENTIFICATION FEATURES

Climbing shrubs. Stems 3–6 m long, about 6 cm thick, with aerial roots. Petioles up to 1 m long; leaf blades thickly leathery, 40–60 cm wide, upper surface shiny; margin initially entire, later lobed, and gradually becoming fenestrate leaves. Peduncles 15–30 cm long, rough. Spathes 20–25 × 15–17.5 cm, thickly leathery. Spadix 17.5–20 × 4–5 cm, pale yellow. Berries 10 × 7.5 mm.¹⁰

LABORATORY ANALYSIS

Calcium oxalate raphides can be detected by polarizing microscopy.¹¹