In the context of play areas, particularly in schools and early education services, prioritizing safety is paramount. This involves ensuring that the environment is devoid of potential hazards, including harmful plants.
Poisonous plants are ubiquitous in South African gardens, constituting a significant part of the indigenous flora. Completely eradicating them is impractical, emphasizing the need to familiarize oneself with their characteristics. Systemic plant poisoning is rare, usually requiring the ingestion of large amounts to manifest symptoms.
While plants offer various benefits, such as improving air quality and creating a soothing ambiance, some can pose dangers, particularly to young children who may be more susceptible. Certain plants can cause skin irritation, poisoning, or allergic reactions. Therefore, awareness of plants that should be avoided or not tolerated in playgrounds is crucial, as suggested by existing literature.
Some plants contain toxic oils that induce severe allergic reactions, leading to rashes, blisters, and swelling. Other plants should be avoided due to toxins that can be harmful when ingested or come into contact with the skin.
To ensure children's safety in play areas, regular inspections of the plants are essential, removing any potentially harmful ones. Additionally, educating staff, parents, and children about the potential hazards of specific plants and how to avoid them is strongly recommended.
Common plants found in and around houses, often prone to being put in children's mouths, include the following:
Here is our list of known plants that existing literature suggests should not be grown or tolerated in play areas or play environments.
Harmful Plant List
· Syringa
· Melia azedarach (Syringa Tree)
· Euphorbia (Spurge)
· Monstera Deliciosa (Delicious Monster)
· Dieffenbachia (Dumbcane)
· Colocasia Esculenta (Elephant’s Ear Plant)
· Zantedeschia (Arum Lily)
· Urtica dioica (Stinging Nettle)
· Erythrina (Lucky bean)
· Ricinus (Castor oil plant)
· Chincherinchee (Wonder Flower)
· Digitalis (Foxglove)
· Stinkblaar (Jimson weed)
· Larkspur (Delphinium)
· Nerium oleander (Oleander)
· Cascabela thevetia (Yellow Oleander)
· Brugmansia (Also known as Angel Trumpets or Moon Flower)
· Clivia miniata (Clivia)
· Fungi (don’t handle any fungi, especially mushroom and toadstools, unless you have knowledge about fungi.)
*Swan plants (Gomphocarpus spp.) are toxic, and swallowing even a small amount could be a problem. Ingestion of the plant material can affect the heart, breathing, central nervous system and the stomach, young children generally do not regard the plant material as attractive to eat. Because of the educational benefits of teaching children about the lifecycle of the monarch butterfly, swan plants are not on the Harmful list of plants but should be treated with education and caution especially at Early childhood/preschool settings.
In conclusion, while plants can be a great addition to play areas, it is essential to prioritise safety and avoid any potentially harmful plants. By doing so, we can create a safe and nurturing environment for young children to learn and grow in.
Always have the emergency number of your closest poison control center available.
Poison Information Centers in South Africa
Poison Control Helpline – 0861 555 777
Red Cross Children’s Hospital (021) 689-5227
Tygerberg Hospital: (021) 931 6129
References: Journal of Ethnopharmacology 119 (2008) 549–558
Poisonous plants of veterinary and human importance in southern Africa
C.J. Bothaa,∗, M.-L. Penrithb,c
a Department of Paraclinical Sciences, Faculty of Veterinary Science, University of Pretoria, Private Bag X04, Onderstepoort 0110, South Africa
b TADScientific, 40 Thomson Street, Colbyn 0083, South Africa
c Department of Veterinary Tropical Diseases, Faculty of Veterinary Science, University of Pretoria, Private Bag X04, Onderstepoort 0110, South Africa
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