Within a few weeks, its scraggly shoots shoot out of the ground and tower straight up. During flowering, they bend slightly to give the shrub a pleasant appearance. To what extent is the innocent appearance deceptive?
Is the ranunculus bush poisonous?
The ranunculus bush is only partially poisonous: its flowers, shoots and leaves are non-toxic, but the seeds contain cyanogenic glycosides (amygdalin), similar to bitter almonds. Consumption in large quantities can cause nausea and vomiting, but fatal poisoning is rare.
The seeds are toxic
You should not turn to the ranunculus bush or plant it completely undeterred. The flowers, shoots and leaves are not poisonous. But the seeds have it all!
- contain cyanogenic glycosides (amygdalin)
- similarly poisonous to bitter almonds
- only larger quantities lead to symptoms of poisoning
- Consumption can lead to nausea and vomiting
Panic shouldn't arise now, however. Although the seeds are poisonous, consumption rarely results in death or there are no known cases. Before you become fatally poisoned, the body usually helps itself by getting rid of the semen.
Do not leave seeds unattended
Of course, you only come into contact with the seeds in the rarest of cases, for example if you want to propagate this plant using its seeds. Then you should not leave the seeds unattended. Children or pets could swallow them!
As a precaution, cut off the flowers
Removing the wilted flowers not only saves the plant a lot of energy. This also prevents the possibility of the poisonous seeds forming. So after the flowering period, use the scissors and cut off the dried flowers!
Tip
In normal handling of the ranunculus bush, you do not need to take any precautions! Skin contact does not usually cause allergic reactions.
