Called "dumb cane" as, if you get the sap in your mouth, calcium oxalate
crystals will grow in the presence of the moisture, and they are acicular or
"needle-like." As they penetrate the soft tissue, your mouth will swell up
making it difficult for you to talk, in essence making you "dumb" (as in
"deaf and dumb).
A quick swish with vinegar and water will dissolve the crystals.
--
Ray Barkalow <> First Rays Orchids
http://www.firstrays.com
Secure Online Ordering & Lots of Free Info!
"Shiva" <hypatia at cotse.net> wrote in message
news:3d06b2e7.13069312 at news.teranews.com...
> On Tue, 11 Jun 2002 22:28:15 GMT, Leona Henderson <leo at 1starnet.com>
> wrote:
>> >dephanbachia (spelling?)
>> Here, let me try! dieffanbachia?? Diefenbaccia? Well, I know what you
> mean. Wiat, I'll try an online dictionary. Hold da line:
>> [A few seconds later...] From Dictionary.com:
>> dief·fen·bach·i·a Pronunciation Key (dfn-bäk-, -bk-)
> n.
> Any of several plants of the genus Dieffenbachia native to tropical
> America, having stout, jointed stems and large, variegated leaves and
> widely cultivated as an indoor plant. Also called dumb cane, dumb
> plant.
>>>>> > dumb weed (?) Lordy, my mind is
> >slipping gears.... but most of you will know what I'm tryig
> >to refer to... are very food at taking up bad air.
>> Trouble is, it is somewhat dangerous for housecats and dogs, or
> anything that might eat it. If ingested it apparentlly paralyzes the
> vocal chords for a while, hence "dumbcane." But it is pretty.
>>>> >Leona.
> >
> >Karen wrote:
> >>
> >> "John" <johnstmail at nospammingyahoo.com> wrote in message
news:<NcPM8.89971$%J4.2096396 at twister.tampabay.rr.com>...
> >> > Hello... I have a question about plants. I live in FL in a condo by
the
> >> > beach and it is pretty smelly around here. I usually keep the
doors/windows
> >> > closed and the A/C on during the summer. And so, it can smell and
feel
> >> > kinda stuffy in here. I was wondering if I had a plant in my house,
would
> >> > that make it seem less stuffy? Sorry... Its kinda hard to describe.
Is a
> >> > plant like a air filter? lol... what is a nice indoor oxygen
producing plant
> >> > that is kinda small and easy to care for? Sun is a plenty around
here if
> >> > need be. Thanks for all your help and sorry if this is a stupid
question.
> >> > I don't know very much about plants and gardening. My friends mom
just said
> >> > that it smelled kinda stuffy in here and it would be nice to have
some real
> >> > plants in this place.
> >> >
> >> > Thanks!
> >> > John
> >>
> >> Hello John,
> >> Yes,plants will clean the air in your home.I can't rember all of the
> >> ones that are the most efficient oxygenators,but I do recall that
> >> Spider Plants(Chlorophytum comosum)are one of the best for the
> >> job.They are available at most tropical plant stores,inexpensive,and
> >> easy to grow indoors.
> >> Good Luck!
> >> Karen
> >
> >--
> >Leona [Lee] leo at 1starnet.com> >Non Commercial site http://www.geocities.com/tvksi/index.htm>
