Identification: Is this plant poisonous?

Discussion in 'Indoor and Greenhouse Plants' started by schlankel, May 4, 2008.

  1. schlankel

    schlankel Member

    Messages:
    4
    Likes Received:
    0
    Location:
    Eastern Pennsylvania, USA
    I had this plant for a few years and don't know what it is. Recently I got a dog who eats almost everything. So it is important to find out if this plant is poisonous. The stems of this plant have enlargements (tuber?) and the underside of the leaves is maroon/purple.
     

    Attached Files:

  2. joclyn

    joclyn Rising Contributor

    Messages:
    2,707
    Likes Received:
    1
    Location:
    philly, pa, usa 6b
    it's ledebouria socialis. i don't know if it's poisonous or not.

    lovely plant! it's been on my wish list for a bit now...
     
  3. schlankel

    schlankel Member

    Messages:
    4
    Likes Received:
    0
    Location:
    Eastern Pennsylvania, USA
    joclyn,

    Thanks for the identification. This plant was just re-potted a few days ago and that's why is does not look too good right now but it grows like a weed. If you want a plant I would be glad to share and I noticed that we are kind of neighbors. I am just outside of
    Philly.
     
  4. donnacanadensis

    donnacanadensis Member

    Messages:
    24
    Likes Received:
    0
    Location:
    North Saanich, Canada
    Call your local Poison Control Center at 1-800-222-1222 (located at Children's Hospital of Philadelphia). They'll be able to answer your question.
     
  5. joclyn

    joclyn Rising Contributor

    Messages:
    2,707
    Likes Received:
    1
    Location:
    philly, pa, usa 6b
    well, hello, neighbor!!

    oh!! if you have a piece that you wouldn't mind sharing, i'll take you up on it!!! thanks!! i'm sure i'll have something to offer as a trade, too!

    i'm in montco - i just put philly in for location because just about everyone (even those in other countries) knows it...easier than explaining where exactly i am :)
     
    Last edited: May 5, 2008
  6. schlankel

    schlankel Member

    Messages:
    4
    Likes Received:
    0
    Location:
    Eastern Pennsylvania, USA
    donnacanadensis,
    thanks that's an excellent suggestion now that I have a name of the plant.

    joclyn,
    i'm in delco not too far from the airport. Guessing from you avatar are you visiting Longwoood Gardens? Its my favorite hangout.
     
  7. joclyn

    joclyn Rising Contributor

    Messages:
    2,707
    Likes Received:
    1
    Location:
    philly, pa, usa 6b
    ahhh, delco is my old stomping ground - grew up in havertown and spent a lot of time in collingdale/glenolden during high school.

    i LOVE longwood!!! i don't know if i like it better at christmas or during the warm months - wonderful gardens regardless of the season!

    winterthur is another great place to visit.

    i didn't do the avi - lorax made it for me.
     
  8. schlankel

    schlankel Member

    Messages:
    4
    Likes Received:
    0
    Location:
    Eastern Pennsylvania, USA
    wow - its a small world. you must know norwood also.
    i have a frequent visitor pass for longwood gardens. if you want to next time you go to lw gardens you can drop me an mail and if the timing can be synchronized I can bring a ledebouria socialis plant with me.
     
  9. joclyn

    joclyn Rising Contributor

    Messages:
    2,707
    Likes Received:
    1
    Location:
    philly, pa, usa 6b
    yes, i do know norwood. and yes, small world...another example of 'small world' is that i did a trade with someone (from a different forum) and when we got together, i'm looking at her and thinking 'i know her!' turns out she worked for me 20 years ago when we both lived in nj. now, that is 'small world'!

    the trip to longwood sounds like a plan! are you looking for anything? for inside or out - i've got a variety of mostly perennials outside and a fair amount of houseplants - regular types as well as lots of succulents, euphobia, cacti and a few aroids. pm me with what you're looking for/interested in. and we'll see about planning something for longwood. i haven't been there in the spring/summer for a long time - was there last fall and at christmas a few years ago...past time to see it in the warm weather!
     
  10. newtx3

    newtx3 Member

    Messages:
    1
    Likes Received:
    0
    Location:
    city
    I've been looking at all of the ID requests here trying to find this critter
    can't rightly take a picture to post as now it is just bulbs...
    does this thing like go dormant in the summer?

    Many Thanks!
     
  11. Cereusly Steve

    Cereusly Steve Active Member

    Messages:
    610
    Likes Received:
    0
    Location:
    MD, USA
    Actually its Ledebouria socialis 'Violacea'. Its the widely grown purple form of the species. The typical form doesn't have the purple color on the leaf undersides and bulbs. There are now several different forms of the species in cultivation.
     
  12. Bluewing

    Bluewing Well-Known Member

    Messages:
    1,626
    Likes Received:
    0
    Location:
    Upstate NY
    Newtx3,
    Ledebouria socialis I have read can go dormant in the summer, or slow down it's growth perhaps. Now mine has always kept all it's leaves. In the winter/early spring, many of the older leaves, (many looking a little ragged) are quickly replaced with new, so, it's never without leaves.
     
  13. togata57

    togata57 Generous Contributor 10 Years

    Messages:
    3,418
    Likes Received:
    365
    Location:
    Columbus, Ohio
    Getting back to the original question: Since this plant is in the hyacinth family, isn't there a good chance that it IS poisonous?
     

Share This Page