close this window
‘Toxic’ alter ego: Sago Palm
Pet owners and parents beware. The sago palm wants you to think it’s just a pretty addition to your garden landscape, but in reality it is one of the most toxic household shrubs planted today.
The entire plant, not just its red seeds, are full of carcinogens and neurotoxins that can induce vomiting, headaches and seizures upon ingestion. One chemical, cycasin, can cause permanent liver and neurological damage if large enough quantities are absorbed by the body. The amino acid beta-methylamino-L-alanine, on the other hand, is a neurotoxin suspected of inducing nerve degeneration and tremor symptoms similar to Lou Gehrig’s and Parkinson’s disease. Wicked Plants: The Weed that Killed Lincoln’s Mother and Other Botanical Atrocities, Amy Stewart describes how improper preparation of sago flour seeds (a soaking method can leach out the poisons) was likely responsible for high rates of a Lou Gehrig’s disease variation in Guam after World War II.
The American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals, which considers the sago palm among the most toxic plants to animals, says cases of sago palm and related cycad species poisonings in pets increased 200 percent between 2003 and 2008, and an estimated 50 to 75 percent of these poisonings were fatal. They suggest homeowners consider replacing sago palms with nontoxic plants if monitoring pet (or child) behavior around the plants is not feasible.
Sign up for our free e-newsletter.
Are you on Facebook? Become our fan.
Follow us on Twitter.
word on the street
more in this section
Gender Wage Gap Skewed By Survey Flaws
‘Orcas as Slaves’ Argument Sinks
The Perceived Delicacy of the Female Conductor
Prop Planes: The Future of Eco-Friendly Aviation?
House Puts Transportation in Partisan Crossfire
A Perennial Epicenter, Now for Same-Sex Marriage
Prop 8 May Be Same-Sex Couples’ Least Worry
EarthScope: A Seismic Shift in Data Gathering
Pressure to Conform Can Inspire Creativity
Learning to Read When a School System Falters
also by this author
Julia GriffinJulia Griffin is a master's candidate in environmental science and management at the University of California, Santa Barbara. A fellow at the Miller-...
From Sewage to ArtichokesWastewater recycling and other water-efficiency programs are saving aquifers and helping a famed produce industry thrive.
Itchy? You’ve Got Some NerveResearchers studying itchy mice determine that separate neurons deliver sensations for itchiness and pain.
That’s a Nice Crop Of Teeth You Got ThereGrowing a new tooth in the jawbone of a mouse provides the first fully functional organ grown in any animal by transplanting so-called ‘germ cells.’
Can This Fishery Be Saved? Yes!The death spiral for global fish that has been reported with glum glee by the media can be reversed, according to a blue-ribbon panel of marine scientists.
New Rat Species Nose Their Way Into MenageriesEven as species disappear at an accelerating rate, intrepid researchers are finding rodents previously unknown to science.
Receive 1 year (6 issues) of our print magazine for just $14.95. Miller-McCune features polished, in-depth reports on research and solutions across the policy spectrum — from health care, education and energy to international affairs, poverty and the global economy. It's a must read for well-informed and solutions-driven individuals.
follow us on:
join our newsletter:
from the source
A lot of people say they watch the Super Bowl mostly for the ads. But it turns out a good game surrounding those ads makes them seem better.
After decades of obstacles hindering the voting process, new laws will allow overseas and military voters to submit their votes in time for the 2012 election.
World health leaders announce coordinated push to eradicate or control neglected tropical diseases.
A survey of award-winning children’s picture books from 1938 to 2008 suggests our increasing estrangement from the natural environment.
Rather than moaning about too many cars on the road, the Ridesharing Institute says the real key to battling traffic congestion and pollution is filling empty passenger seats.
