Content
- The silver leaf - poisonous or not?
- The difference between leaves and seeds
- Be careful when using as decoration material
- Tips
The beautiful silver leaf is non-toxic
The silver leaf - poisonous or not?
The so-called annual silver leaf (Lunaria annua) is cultivated in more and more gardens due to its attractive flowers and seedbeds. As a result, the question of whether the plant is poisonous and thus posing a danger to children and pets is becoming increasingly common.
The difference between leaves and seeds
In contrast to the actually poisonous and occasionally also referred to as silver leaf white-tipped Greiskraut (Senecio biscolor), the silver leaf of the genus Lunaria is not very dangerous in itself. After all, the plant parts such as stems and leaves can even be used in the kitchen in the following ways:
However, this only applies to the green parts of the plant and not to the seeds containing different alkaloids. The seeds contain about 70% of the toxin Lunarin, but also other alkaloids.
Be careful when using as decoration material
Especially the silver leaf is sown in the garden to cut off the durable seed buns together with the stems and to use as an autumnal decoration in the house after the successful propagation. This should only happen if dropped seeds can not be inadvertently consumed by pets or small children.
Tips
The green leaf of the silver leaf is not only harmless to humans, but can also be fed on the menu as a change to turtles and other small animals in the garden.