Hawaiian Umbrella Poisonous...

[mellowvision]

I've been doing a bit of research, trying to find some suitable candidates for trees that will grow with their roots in water. One such tree SEEMS to be the Hawaiian Umbrella Tree, and I happen to have one that I got a while back at a floral shop.

I've seen it suggested for chameleon tanks, and in a few german paludarium/terrarium situations, but most of the basic plant and bonsai sites mention that it's poisonous and should be kept away from children and pets.

I'm finding it a bit contradictory, that some suggest it for a chameleon tank, and others say it's poison. I'm wondering if it's poison to humans and mammals but not reptiles, or fish, or inverts...

I'd love to find out if anyone's kept one in a tank, or if there's any info available as to it's toxicity to paludarium residents.

http://www.mellobonsai.com/care/Hawaiian-umbrella-bonsai.aspx

 

[E's_Crab_Shack]

Interesting looking plant. Didnt say anywhere on wikipedia about being poisonous but that place doesnt always have the best info. Googled it and found numberous bonsai sites that all said it was poisonous

http://www.bonsaigardener.org/hawaiian-ubrella-bonsai.html

 

[BreezeRuehls]

I thought you meant one of these! LOL, I was like, how you gonna fit that!:rofl:

 

[Quinn1928]

lol

 

[bluekrissyspike]

Mangrove plants are popular in tanks i hear. you can get them cheap on ebay and grow them bonsai style in your tank

 

[schaadrak]

It's poisonous if eaten. If nothing eats it, then you have nothing to worry about.

Schefflera sp. contain high levels of calcium oxalate in their sap which are very sharp crystals (most kidney stones are calcium oxalate). The crystals actually cause mechanical irritation similar to fibre glass in the soft tissues like the mouth and sometimes the skin. Calcium oxalate will also cause kidney problems if large amounts are ingested.

 

[mellowvision]

Thanks, great info!

 

[hydrophyte]

Hey, I haven't forgotten about your black mangroves. I got your last message about your calendar so now I will plan to ship the next time I go to the post office.

What about Pachira aquatica? That's a super hardy plant with a cool caudiciform trunk base. It often appears at Home Depot and similar retailers, although unfortunately often with braided trunks. The leaves are also rather big big and might not scale right.

 

[mellowvision]

yeah, I've considered those, but haven't found non-braided ones yet... I really would like to start from seedlings or even seeds...