These bright fruits make it tempting to snack on them. But you should avoid this because the Pfaffenhütchen is poisonous. It contains various toxins that affect different regions and organs. Children and pets are particularly at risk.
Are Pfaffenhütchen poisonous?
The Pfaffenhütchen is poisonous in all parts and contains alkaloids, glycosides and evonine, which affect the nervous system and heart muscle. The sweet-tasting seeds are particularly dangerous. In adults, 30-40 seeds can be fatal, in children it is already 15-20 seeds.
Poisonous plant parts
All parts of the Pfaffenhütchen are poisonous. The concentration of toxins is particularly high in the seeds, which hang out of the opened capsule fruit on extended stalks when the fruit is ripe. The striking coloring of the fruits makes them particularly attractive to children. You don't notice the toxicity because the fruits taste very sweet.
Toxins:
- Alkaloids: affect the nervous system
- Glycosides: paralyze the heart muscle and taste very sweet
- Evonin: Effects on the nervous system
Critical dose
If larger amounts of fruit, flowers or leaves are eaten, various symptoms can occur.30 to 40 seeds is considered a critical dose in adults that can cause death. Children develop severe symptoms of poisoning after eating 15 seeds. 20 seeds can cause death.
However, skin contact is harmless. If a child collects fruits and later licks his fingers, there is no need to fear danger. In pets, consuming even small amounts of plant parts can be fatal.
Symptoms of poisoning
It can take up to 18 hours for symptoms to appear. Initial signs include shortness of breath and an increase in body temperature. Circulatory problems and heart palpitations occur. This is followed by abdominal pain, nausea and diarrhea. Recurrent vomiting or constipation may occur. The toxic ingredients damage the liver and kidneys. Death can occur due to paralysis of the heart muscle and nervous system.
