ChameleonAyer
New Member
I'm not confused I'm just saying all the scheffleras people say are safe are not. Every schefflera according to the ASPCA is TOXIC.
Awesome Find!!!
- Thread starter Rocky
- Start date
Brad Ramsey
Retired Moderator
To chameleons?
Does the ASPCA specifically say that the arboricola is toxic to chameleons?
Because someone needs to tell my female veiled (3+ years old) who completely strips one every 4 to six weeks.
She has literally consumed pounds of schefflera leaves.
Pothos has the same oxalate issues and I have chameleons who mow their way through those as well.
-Brad
Chameleonboy
Avid Member
No sir it does not. On the ASPCA site it ONLY refers to Brassaia actinophylla. The ASPCA website states nothing about the arboricola plant and it being toxic.
This is from the ASPCA site:
Additional Common Names: Umbrella Tree, Australian Ivy Palm, Octopus Tree, Starleaf
Scientific Name: Schefflera
Alternate Scientific Names: Brassaia actinophylla
Family: Araliaceae
Toxicity: Toxic to Cats, Toxic to Dogs
Toxic Principles: Calcium oxalate crystals
Clinical Signs: Oral irritation, intense burning and irritation of the mouth, lips, tongue, excessive drooling, vomiting, difficulty in swallowing.
It is not specifying nor talking about the arboricola in any way. Or at least I could not find anything about that plant on their site.
-Clemonde
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Chameleonboy
Avid Member
WOW just so happens that you made a few "snide" comments yourself.
how do you feel about that? As I have said multiple times throughout this thread, we are not here to bash on other people and crap on their posts we are here to learn from our and other peoples mistakes and get valuable information to better ourselves and our pets.-Clemonde
ChameleonAyer
New Member
DIRECTLY FROM ASPCA WEBSITE:
Schefflera Plants
"I recently received a Schefflera arboricola plant as a gift. Are all schefflera plants poisonous to cats and dogs?
—Amanda C.
Plants of the genus Schefflera contain fine, needle-like calcium oxylate crystals within the plant cells. If ingested, these crystals can cause significant mechanical irritation and swelling of the oral tissues and other parts of the gastrointestinal tract. Based on this, it is advisable to keep Schefflera species out of your pets’ reach."
link to the page
Other links that specify that the Schefflera Arboricola is toxic:
http://davesgarden.com/guides/pf/go/153712/
says: "Danger: All parts of plant are poisonous if ingested"
http://www.ces.ncsu.edu/depts/hort/consumer/poison/Schefsp.htm
says:
"Poisonous Part: Leaves, plant sap from all parts.
Symptoms: Vomiting, numbness and tingling of the mouth, lack of coordination. Skin irritation after contact with cell sap.
Toxic Principle :Oxalates."
http://www.mellobonsai.com/care/Hawaiian-umbrella-bonsai.aspx
Says: "Additionally, all parts of this tree are poisonous so keep this tree away from children and pets and try not to get sap on your skin."
Now this does confuse me... this is what I have found on the toxicity of Arboricola specific scheffleras.
Schefflera Plants
"I recently received a Schefflera arboricola plant as a gift. Are all schefflera plants poisonous to cats and dogs?
—Amanda C.
Plants of the genus Schefflera contain fine, needle-like calcium oxylate crystals within the plant cells. If ingested, these crystals can cause significant mechanical irritation and swelling of the oral tissues and other parts of the gastrointestinal tract. Based on this, it is advisable to keep Schefflera species out of your pets’ reach."
link to the page
Other links that specify that the Schefflera Arboricola is toxic:
http://davesgarden.com/guides/pf/go/153712/
says: "Danger: All parts of plant are poisonous if ingested"
http://www.ces.ncsu.edu/depts/hort/consumer/poison/Schefsp.htm
says:
"Poisonous Part: Leaves, plant sap from all parts.
Symptoms: Vomiting, numbness and tingling of the mouth, lack of coordination. Skin irritation after contact with cell sap.
Toxic Principle :Oxalates."
http://www.mellobonsai.com/care/Hawaiian-umbrella-bonsai.aspx
Says: "Additionally, all parts of this tree are poisonous so keep this tree away from children and pets and try not to get sap on your skin."
Now this does confuse me... this is what I have found on the toxicity of Arboricola specific scheffleras.
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poisonous to WHAT??? The aspca is referring to dogs and cats.
This forum has a great plant list that shows what is toxic and non toxic to *chameleons*, which I think is what we are talking about.
I will ask again: Why take a chance when there are non toxic plants that do the job just as well?!?!
This forum has a great plant list that shows what is toxic and non toxic to *chameleons*, which I think is what we are talking about.
I will ask again: Why take a chance when there are non toxic plants that do the job just as well?!?!
Rocky
Established Member
The question isn't if it is poisonus to dog or cats. What she was showing is that they say both plants have the exact same toxins in it.
Once again. We are not allowing them to live on the tree. One it was just a really nice cheap plant that we may allow them to climb on. If the one that is toxic would harm a chameleon if it was ingested then the dwarf schefflera would be doing the same thing according to the aspca website
Can anyone show me something that shows proof that there are different toxins in the actinophylla then in the arboricola?
Once again. We are not allowing them to live on the tree. One it was just a really nice cheap plant that we may allow them to climb on. If the one that is toxic would harm a chameleon if it was ingested then the dwarf schefflera would be doing the same thing according to the aspca website
Can anyone show me something that shows proof that there are different toxins in the actinophylla then in the arboricola?
Ryan Jarosek
New Member
The difference is
Schefflera actinophylla (umbrella tree, octopus tree) Contains calcium oxalate crystals, like the Araceae (though it is in the Araliaceae instead), and causes similar irritation, swelling, pain, etc. There is also an allergen which can cause rashes and blistering.
Another danger the arboricola does not produce:
The actinophylla also producies pollins and berries that introduce a major problem with transfering irritations and toxic items the the reptile .
This plant is listed as not safe on a number of sites and is commonly mislabled at HD and other stores as the safe version.
I am convinced you are going to use the tree regardless of what others are saying. Good luck, your cham will probably be fine. I hope so myself.
Schefflera actinophylla (umbrella tree, octopus tree) Contains calcium oxalate crystals, like the Araceae (though it is in the Araliaceae instead), and causes similar irritation, swelling, pain, etc. There is also an allergen which can cause rashes and blistering.
Another danger the arboricola does not produce:
The actinophylla also producies pollins and berries that introduce a major problem with transfering irritations and toxic items the the reptile .
This plant is listed as not safe on a number of sites and is commonly mislabled at HD and other stores as the safe version.
I am convinced you are going to use the tree regardless of what others are saying. Good luck, your cham will probably be fine. I hope so myself.
Ryan Jarosek
New Member
They do have the same crystals that is not the problem and is not what makes the Schefflera actinophylla toxic to reptiles . It is the added Toxic Principles that include Terpenoids, saponins, and insoluble oxalates.
The Toxic - Terpenoids and saponins as I understand it are not a problem in the schefflera arboricola
