Dump that Dumb Thingy!

Hallo there! This is Prof Dr Angelina again. Remember how I said in my previous lecture that there are plants that are beneficial to cats? Well, today's lecture will touch upon a plant, very beautiful and very popular, that can pose a serious threat to our health. Not just felines, but to our brothers and sisters of the canine world too. So, listen carefully and analyse the pictures accompanying this lecture so that you can identify this threat and tell your hoomans. If you have this plant at home, tell (or force) your hoomans to get rid of it. It's a serious case of "it's me or the plant" scenario.

The plant I'm talking about is what is popularly known as dumb cane. Here's an excerpt from Uncle Wiki:
Dieffenbachia is a genus of tropical plants in the family Araceae noted for their patterned leaves. The name commemorates Ernst Dieffenbach, a German physician. Members of this genus are popular as houseplants because of their tolerance for shade. The common name is 'dumb cane' due to its poisoning effect on the throat due to raphides.
The cells of the plant contain needle-shaped calcium oxalate crystals called raphides. If a leaf is chewed, these crystals can cause a temporary burning sensation and erythema. In rare cases, edema of tissues exposed to the plant have been reported. With both children and pets, contact with dieffenbachia (typically from chewing) can cause a host of unpleasant symptoms including oral irritation, excessive drooling and localised swelling.

You may read more here.

Danger lurks in lovely gardens such as this. Look at that row of dieffenbachia. tsk tsk tsk. 

Should put up the crossed bones and skull sign here.

Angelina's note: If you have this plant at home, indoor or in the garden, get rid of it. Your beloved pet or this plant? Choose wisely. purrr....meow!