Causes and Risks:

• oxalic acid
• asparagine
• a protein found in this plant

Where Found:

• Alocasia amazonica (African mask)
• Alocasia cucullata (Chinese Tara, Chinese Ape)
• Alocasia sanderand
• Caladium (Alocasia cuprea)

Symptoms:

• body as a whole
  • burning in the mouth
  • swelling of the tongue
  • swelling of the mouth
• eyes, ears, nose, and throat
  • burning in the throat
• gastrointestinal
  • nausea and/or vomiting
  • diarrhea

Home Treatment: Wipe out the mouth with a cold, wet cloth and give the person milk to drink.

Before Calling Emergency: Determine the following information:

• the patient’s age, weight, and condition
• the name of the plant and the parts eaten
• the time it was swallowed
• the amount swallowed

Call Poison Control: They will instruct you if it is necessary to take the patient to the hospital. See Poison Control centers for telephone numbers and addresses. Bring the plant with you to the emergency room for identification.

What To Expect:

• Treat the symptoms.

Oxalate plants may cause swelling severe enough to block the airway (airway obstruction), but this is very rare.