A Guide to Poisonous House and Garden Plants
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Hosta species: Hosta

Author(s):
Knight A.
In: Guide to Poisonous House and Garden Plants by Knight A.
Updated:
MAR 25, 2010
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Family

Liliaceae

Common Name

Plantain lily, hosta lily, August lily.

Plant Description

A genus of 40 species native to China and Japan, Hosta species have become universally popular for their decorative leaves. Numerous varieties have been developed. Frost hardy and shade tolerant perennials that produce large, showy leaves that are various shades of green, yellow, edged in yellow, or white. Inflorescences are tall racemes produced above the foliage. Flowers are bell-shaped, nodding, and may be white, bluish-purple, or pink in color (Fig. 197 and Fig. 198).

Hosta plantaginea.
Figure 197. Hosta plantaginea.

Hosta fortunei "Albomarginata".
Figure 198. Hosta fortunei "Albomarginata".

Toxic Principle and Mechanism of Action

Little information is available on the toxicity of Hosta species. Some contain saponins that may produce vomiting, diarrhea, depression, and loss of appetite [1,2].

Risk Assessment

Considered potentially toxic, hostas are only likely to be a problem if consumed in quantity [2].

Clinical Signs

If hostas are consumed in quantity, the irritant effects of the saponins can be expected to cause vomiting and diarrhea.

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References

1. Mimaki Y, Kuroda M, Kameyama A, Yokosuka A, Sashida Y. Steroidal saponins from the rhizomes of Hosta sieboldii and their cytostatic activity on HL-60 cells. Phytochemistry. 48: 1361-1369, 1998. - PubMed -

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How to reference this publication (Harvard system)?

Knight, A. (2008) “Hosta species: Hosta”, Guide to Poisonous House and Garden Plants. Available at: https://www.ivis.org/library/guide-to-poisonous-house-and-garden-plants/hosta-species-hosta (Accessed: 11 October 2024).

Affiliation of the authors at the time of publication

Department of Clinical Sciences, College of Veterinary Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, Colorado State University, Fort Collins, CO, USA.

Author(s)

  • Prof Anthony Knight

    Knight A.

    Professor and Chair
    BVSc MRCVS Dipl ACVIM
    Department of Clinical Sciences, Veterinary Teaching Hospital, Colorado State University
    Read more about this author

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ISBN-10
1591610281
ISBN-13
978-1591610281
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