Dieffenbachia

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Dieffenbachia bowmannii
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Dieffenbachia
Category	Perennial, Indoor Plants
Kingdom	Plantae
Division	Magnoliophyta
Class	Angiospermae
Order	Alismatales
Family	Araceae
Species in this genus
Dieffenbachia aglaonematifolia Dieffenbachia antioquensis Dieffenbachia aurantiaca Dieffenbachia bechiana Dieffenbachia bowmannii Dieffenbachia brittonii Dieffenbachia burgeri Dieffenbachia cannifolia Dieffenbachia concinna Dieffenbachia copensis Dieffenbachia cordata Dieffenbachia costata Dieffenbachia crebripistillata Dieffenbachia daguensis Dieffenbachia davidsei Dieffenbachia duidae Dieffenbachia elegans Dieffenbachia enderi Dieffenbachia fortunensis Dieffenbachia fosteri Dieffenbachia fournieri Dieffenbachia galdamesiae Dieffenbachia gracilis Dieffenbachia grayumiana Dieffenbachia hammelii Dieffenbachia herthae Dieffenbachia horichii Dieffenbachia humilis Dieffenbachia imperialis Dieffenbachia isthmia Dieffenbachia killipii Dieffenbachia lancifolia Dieffenbachia leopoldii Dieffenbachia longispatha Dieffenbachia lutheri Dieffenbachia macrophylla Dieffenbachia meleagris Dieffenbachia nitidipetiolata Dieffenbachia obliqua Dieffenbachia obscurinervia Dieffenbachia oerstedii Dieffenbachia olbia Dieffenbachia paludicola Dieffenbachia panamensis Dieffenbachia parlatorei Dieffenbachia parvifolia Dieffenbachia pittieri Dieffenbachia seguine Dieffenbachia shuttleworthiana Dieffenbachia standleyi Dieffenbachia tonduzii Dieffenbachia weberbaueri Dieffenbachia weirii Dieffenbachia wendlandii Dieffenbachia williamsii Dieffenbachia wurdackii
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Aden Earth Zone

15 - 20

Cultivation

• Cultivation: Low-Maintenance, Easy-To-Grow
• Light: Sun, Dappled, Part-Shade
• Soil: Rich
• pH: 7
• Moisture: Medium

Characteristics

• Form: Herbaceous
• Habit: Evergreen
• Flower:
• Fruit/Seed:
• Foliage: Leaves, Variegated, Green, Yellow, White
• Uses: Ornamental, Houseplant

About

Dieffenbachia () is a genus of Tropical Plants in the Family Araceae noted for their patterned Leaves. The name commemorates Ernst Dieffenbach, a German physician. Members of this Genus are popular as Houseplants because of their tolerance for shade. The common name is 'dumb cane' due to its poisoning effect on the throat due to Raphides.

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 problematic conditions, such as a nutrient deficiency in the soil. Dieffenbachia responds well to hot temperatures and dry climates.

Popular Cultivated Species

• Dieffenbachia amoena
• Dieffenbachia maculata
• Dieffenbachia seguine

Toxicity

The cells of the Dieffenbachia plant contain needle-shaped Calcium oxalate Crystals called Raphides. If a leaf is chewed, these crystals can cause a temporary burning sensation and Erythema. In rare cases, Edema of tissues exposed to the plant have been reported. Mastication and ingestion generally result in only mild symptoms. With both children and pets, contact with dieffenbachia (typically from chewing) can cause a host of unpleasant symptoms, including oral irritation, excessive drooling, and localized swelling. However, these effects are rarely life-threatening. In most cases, symptoms are mild, and can be successfully treated with analgesic agents, antihistamines,or medical charcoal. Gastric evacuation or lavage is "seldom" indicated. Jennifer S. Boyle, MD, PharmD, and Christopher P Holstege, MD, note that, "In a large retrospective study of 188 patients with plant oxalate exposure, all cases were determined to be minor and all resolved with minor or no treatment." They also note that, "In patients with exposure to toxic plants, 70% are children younger than 5 years."

References

• Schott, H. W. and Kunst, W. Z. (1829). Für Liebhaber der Botanik.

External links

• Encyclopedia Britannica
• Clemson Home & Garden
• Medline Plus: Dieffenbachia
• Dieffenbachia an ideal houseplant
• Botanical Online: Dieffenbachia

Simple:Dieffenbachia

• This page was last modified on 15 August 2011, at 14:47.

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