Is Ivy poisonous?

[castleview]

I know - strange question. But I'm decorating and a pot of English ivy would go perfect somewhere my one year old can reach (when we're upstairs). I'm willing to risk him knocking it over, but I want to make sure it's safe in case he sticks it in his mouth.

Any knowledge would be appreciated.

 

[Pooh67_68]

English Ivy
Hedera helix
Ginseng family

Where is it from?
English ivy is native to Europe.

Where are you likely to find it?
English ivy can be found anywhere people have lived. It is a popular landscaping plant.
In Redwood National and State Parks, there are large populations in Hiouchi, along Highways 101 and 199, Marshall Pond (although now largely removed), the Klamath Youth Hostel, Davison Ranch and roads to the Redwood Creek Trail and South Operations Center.

What makes it a "BAD" plant?
English ivy is one of the few exotics that can become established and grow in deep shade.
English ivy forms thick carpets on the forest floor and chokes out native vegetation, including tree seedlings.
It creeps up trees into the canopy, flowers and forms berries. Birds eat the berries and disperse seeds to other locations. Seedlings emerge and start new infestations.
The vines weigh down tree branches causing them to break.
English ivy is a threat to the integrity of the ancient redwood forest.

How do you get rid of it?
Cutting vines from trees will kill all ivy growing on the tree.
Stems and roots on the ground must be pulled and the area watched for resprouts.

How committed are the parks to fighting ivy?
Both the National Park Service (NPS) and California Department of Parks and Recreation (CDPR) have provided grants in support of efforts to control English ivy in the Redwood National and State Parks. Click here to learn about the project to remove ivy in the parks' North District, mainly Hiouchi and Jedediah Smith Redwoods State Park.

What can you do to help?
Report sightings near parks and other wild areas. If in a park, contact the park Superintendent. If in the Redwood National and State Parks, notify the Vegetation Management branch at the South Operations Center in Orick (707-464-6101, ext. 5282). Let us know about the location of the plants so they can be mapped for future work projects.
Discourage people from planting ivy in rural locations.
To get even more involved in control of exotic species, sign up as a Volunteer in Parks (VIP).

CAUTION: Do not remove ivy without permission in writing or direction from the land owner, manager or, if on public lands, an agency official.

 

[castleview]

Thanks Pooh. Ok, so it sounds like it's not poisonous. But I might rethink using it because it will TAKE OVER THE WHOLE HOUSE!!!

 

[Pooh67_68]

I gooled that info, and also found this...

ENGLISH IVY

Hedera helix

(ginseng family)


TOXICITY RATING: Low. Although reported to be very toxic in a few scattered reports, this is not a frequently encountered toxicosis.


ANIMALS AFFECTED: Cats, dogs, birds, other pets.


DANGEROUS PARTS OF PLANT: Leaves, berries.


CLASS OF SIGNS: Oral irritation, stomach irritation, diarrhea, breathing problems, coma, death.


PLANT DESCRIPTION: The vines that give many colleges their "halls of ivy" appearance may be poisonous. These woody vines, also used as groundcovers, have alternate, palmately-lobed, dark green leaves with lighter green veins (fig. 5). Flowers are uncommon but are borne in small umbrella-like clusters and produce small black berries.


SIGNS: A saponic glycoside, the aglycone hederagenin, is found in the leaves and berries. This is an uncommon poisoning, but incidents have been reported in dogs, cats, and pet monkeys, especially when the green berries were eaten. The most common signs relate to mouth and stomach irritation, but coma and death may occur if large quantities are consumed.


FIRST AID: There is no specific antidote. If animals are observed eating English ivy, contact a veterinarian immediately, especially if a large quantity of the plant was consumed. A bite or two of a leaf is not likely to cause a serious problem, but this should be discouraged.


SAFETY IN PREPARED FEEDS: There are no clear reports on this, but consider English ivy unsafe in prepared feeds.


PREVENTION: Keep animals, especially curious nibblers, away from English ivy. Exercise caution for indoor animals as well, since English ivy grows up the sides of buildings and can grow through window openings.