University of Houston photo
The ASPCA issued a warning today about Brunfelsia, which you might recognize by one of its common names, "morning, noon and night plant" or "yesterday, today and tomorrow plant." Brunfelsia is a favorite in sun to partial-shade gardens in the south, and sports fragrant pansy-like flowers that start out purple then change to lavender within a day or two before fading to white a day or two after that (hence, the common names.) The warm-climate plant is suited for zones 9-11, but can be kept as a houseplant indoors or grown as an annual in cooler zones.
Problem is, according to a study by Dr. Safdar Khan, veterinary toxicologist for the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center, the plant might kill your dog -- or a neighborhood dog that happens to wander by. Not only is the plant poisonous to dogs, but for some reason dogs are strongly attracted to it. A double whammy. Even eating a couple of seeds could prove disastrous.
Fourty-two dogs were treated by the APC from 2001 to 2006 after falling ill from ingesting parts of the plant. Three died. Symptoms included stiff limbs, excessive drooling and life-threatening seizures.
“Brunfelsia toxicity can progress very rapidly to a potentially lethal situation, so it’s critical that pet parents seek immediate veterinary care,” says Dr. Khan. “If pets consume any part of the plant, they can become ill within hours and develop gastrointestinal problems such as vomiting and diarrhea, as well as tremors, seizures and muscle rigidity that makes the animal appear to be in a ‘sawhorse’ stance.”
