Answered in 6 minutes by: 4/15/2009. The trendy yucca house plant is causing a spike in trips to the hospital emergency department. Some of the Arizona desert’s most striking colors come from thornless shrubs like the beautiful scarlet sprays of the chuparosa plant or the Baja fairy duster bush. Put on gloves and goggles before working with yucca plants to spare your hands and eyes from injury. Most of the other plants are smaller shrubs or groundcover-type perennials: some are evergreen, some are herbaceous perennials, and a couple are annuals. When yucca roots were beaten into a salve, the salve … "But they don't really think that if the yucca plant is next to them then those fronds can pass straight down the ear canal like an arrow.". How yucca plant spines can hurt you, your pets. He warned gardeners to wear protective clothing, including gloves and a wide-brimmed hat, and to remain aware at all times. The tips of the pokey things can cause injury to the eye and even blindness. Save A Dying Agave Plant. My mother just got stabbed in the eye with the tip of a yucca plant and it's not bleeding or anything, but she said it hurts really badly and she can't see well (she said something about it being really bright/blurry). So what does it mean if you've got a flight booked? AGAVACEAE (Agave or Century Plant family) • Medicinal / Folk-medicinal aspects: Folk-medicinal uses as externally-applied remedies of the prepared leaf, the fresh juice, the concentrated sap, and a polysaccharide gum that exudes from the leaves and roots have been documented for certain Agave species. Ask Your Own Eye Question. "It has that same really modern strong, bold look," he said, adding that other native yucca alternatives included local species of dianella or lomandra. Blooming palm tree yucca. Yuca flour can be used to replace wheat flour as long as it is baked and cooked thoroughly. While punctures sustained by the eardrum (also called the tympanic membrane) are painful, with time and care it is possible for the perforation to heal. AEST = Australian Eastern Standard Time which is 10 hours ahead of GMT (Greenwich Mean Time), Live: Greater Brisbane residents 'to be rewarded for their sacrifice' with end to lockdown, Brisbane lockdown to be lifted but some restrictions to remain, NSW records three new COVID-19 cases linked to Berala cluster, Live: Australia hunting wickets on final day to win SCG Test, Democrats may wait 100 days into Joe Biden's presidency to impeach Donald Trump, Mother and three children who died in Melbourne house fire identified as police investigate, Alleged abuse of Mohammed Siraj is Australia's embarrassment, Kohli calls for 'strict' action against any supporter found to have made racial slurs. This versatile plant can be eaten in a variety of ways, as long as it is thoroughly cooked. Doctors have seen a rise in gardening accidents associated with yucca plants. Most often, the condition will be classifiable to Chapter 19, Injury, poisoning and certain other consequences of external causes . They're the striking spiky desert plant loved by Australians in their gardens, but surgeons are warning yuccas have been responsible for a number of injuries resulting in deafness. Often, injuries to the ossicles leave a lasting impairment to a person’s hearing. Yucca's are a brilliant plant - look good and survive in drought-like conditions. Those same spikey leaves that keep off rabbits and deer can easily cause an eye injury or even enter the ear canal, the slender leaves easily piercing the ear drum. Saponins are soap-like compounds and hemolytic is something that damages red blood cells. When you have an issue with your hearing, Lifestyle Hearing Solutions can help. Yucca elephantipes is a great patio and house plant, it has a great architectural form, and its growth habit is mostly upright, rather than spreading - so it does not tend to have a huge footprint on the patio or in interior spaces. However, the popularity of the plant may be responsible for the frequency of yucca-related bodily injuries. "It was a bit of a surprise to us," he told ABC Radio Melbourne. (2001) observed positive skin prick tests to this plant in two individuals who presented with occupational contact urticaria. In New Zealand, ACC statistics showed the yucca plant had caused an average of 28 ear injuries per year over the past five years, costing the taxpayer a total of $157,521 in claims. Its 40–50 species are notable for their rosettes of evergreen, tough, sword-shaped leaves and large terminal panicles of white or whitish flowers.They are native to the hot and dry parts of the Americas and the Caribbean.Early reports of the species were confused with the cassava (Manihot esculenta). As an introduced species, that hardiness can become a problem when garden waste is disposed of in bushland areas. Doctors have seen a rise in gardening accidents associated with yucca plants. Celebrate World Alzheimer’s Month with a Hearing Test! What should we do?" Cutting low tips off the plants helps protect children and pets from accidents. In Melbourne, yucca is used frequently as a non-native accent plant, well adapted to Australia’s climate. Professor O'Leary said the inner ear was an "incredibly delicate structure" that was notoriously difficult to treat, and any injury should be seen to quickly by an ENT surgeon. (2001) observed positive skin prick tests to this plant in two individuals who presented with occupational contact urticaria. "I know it's very enjoyable and you can get into the groove very quickly, but you can't garden if you're injured.". Eye and ear protection might be indicated when tending this well-armored plant. Many agaves thrive in temperate climates, like the squid agave (Agave bracteosa) with its curving succulent leaves that prefers USDA zones 8 though 11, or the century plant (Agave americana) that thrives in USDA zones 8 though 10. The fashionable yucca plant is to blame for a spike in gardening-related ear injuries, new research has found. The yucca plant has a rich history in the Southwestern United States, primarily amongst Native American tribes who used yucca plants for a plethora of purposes including medicine, food, and soap. The leaf of the yucca plant is long and thin with a sharp, pointy end. International arrivals cap has been slashed. The fashionable yucca plant is to blame for a spike in gardening-related ear injuries, new research has found. yucca plant stock pictures, royalty-free photos & images. Once a spine is has crossed through the tympanic membrane, the tiny and delicate bones of the middle ear can be reached and broken. Yucca Plant puncture wound. 50+ PERFECTLY PET-FRIENDLY PLANTS . For the past decade, Ron has contributed to the community through leadership roles in the Tucson Downtown Lions Club. So I gave up the grog, 'The worst president ever': Schwarzenegger blasts Trump in scathing video, ASX slips, but still at a 10-month high on Biden stimulus bets. "We had repeated episodes of people coming in after they were gardening or handling their yucca plant.". How to Propagate a Yucca Plant. The needle-like points on its long, narrow leaves can deliver memorable puncture wounds. Give sharp plants a wide berth and make sure you aren’t in harms way before turning or lifting your head. 1. Two weeks ago, I walked into a yucca plant and it stabbed me by my ankle. They become dry in the winter and often break apart in the wind, spreading seeds that are almost black in color. I adopted Lotus Moonflower from the Palm Springs ASPCA years … A minor eye injury, like getting poked in the eye, can have a fast recovery, or it could result in serious complications. Native to dry regions of North and Central America and the Caribbean, yucca plants are popular as architectural plants in landscaped gardens. Locate a healthy baby with well-developed, fully green foliage. Ron has been a part of the Lifestyle team helping people hear better since 2005. If you garden or landscape with yucca plants, take the time to trim off the spiked tips which could damage eyes … This service may include material from Agence France-Presse (AFP), APTN, Reuters, AAP, CNN and the BBC World Service which is copyright and cannot be reproduced. "They can take a lot of drought, a lot of neglect, and they look really evergreen so they're really good for a dry Australian climate," he said. Yucca aloifolia L. Spanish Bayonet. Eye Doctor: Dr. Stevens, Ophthalmologist replied 10 years ago. The desert is full of plants with robust natural defenses. He said the spikey leaves initially perforate the ear drum, but "fortunately for us the ear drum can recover". Use yucca for four days, and then discontinue for three days. Share this conversation. Yucca is a genus of perennial shrubs and trees in the family Asparagaceae, subfamily Agavoideae. Yucca plants are appreciated for the tropical look they give to a room. Potted yucca plants may grow in full sun and flourish, but will often have browning tips or white, necrotic spots on the leaves. Often a yucca injury with be tender for a week or longer as the body recovers. If you plan on digging them out all together, be extremely careful. Best Answer. Each sturdy leaf in the cluster has a bold, yellow stripe with green margins. Ask your agave supplier or local garden store for precise hardiness zone information for your plant. Typically, when dogs and cats ingest yucca… Source: AAAP. One of the main yucca plant characteristics are its spiky leaves, so you can probably see where this is going. Hardier yucca like Yucca gloriosa and Y. filamentosa require full sun and any well drained soil. When ingested by animals, clinical signs of drooling, vomiting, weakness, incoordination and dilated pupils (cats) may be seen. Yucca spines can penetrate deeper than the eardrum, however. Even the Best-Laid Plants. He said one in seven of those cases resulted in the patient suffering permanent hearing loss. Ear, nose and throat (ENT) surgeon Professor Stephen O'Leary, who authored the report, said some of those injuries were very serious. Dr. Colleen Halfpenny says they see a spike in the number of eye injuries when the weather gets warm. Often people miss seeing a sharp blade as they turn their head. I washed it with eye wash and followed with some tobramycin drops. Yucca's are a brilliant plant - look good and survive in drought-like conditions. Place in full light, water freely during the growing season from April to September and apply a balanced liquid feed fortnightly. Be sure to fertilize with bonemeal at the beginning and the midpoint of the growing season. The common Yucca plant cannot harm just by poking.Yucca plants are safer than many cacti which have bristles and pinch even if you touch them accidently. Attention Needed by Yucca Filifera. If you have a corneal abrasion, you'll probably be in a great deal of pain. This plant is more dangerous to large animals that are chronically grazing (eating) on this plant. If you are a full-time desert dweller or just an occasional dry lands visitor, remember to watch out for our flora and fauna! When the weather gets warm, we usually see more injuries - including eye injuries. You can also try gardening with less injurious alternatives. The tips of yucca can deliver a quick and deep puncture wound to people who interact with the plant carelessly or accidentally. "Before you know it, because yuccas are so resilient, you've got a plantation of yuccas growing.". Saponins in yucca spines can often cause sensitivity and swelling in the area around a puncture. It is readily identified by it's stalk and flowers (see photo at right). These plants mean business (Alex Juel/Flickr/CC BY 2.0) According to doctors from The Royal Victorian Eye and Ear Hospital in Melbourne, if you have a bunch of these oversized pin cushions in your garden, you can risk hearing loss unless you're careful around them. Container cultivation. Good luck - I hoped I helped: - ) An on-and-off-again schedule will help prevent irritation of digestive tissues. A minor eye injury, like getting poked in the eye, can have a fast recovery, or it could result in serious complications. You may experience light sensitivity, blurry vision, foreign body sensation, sandy-gritty feeling or eye redness. Step 2 Remove the babies from a healthy, mature yucca plant in autumn when the plant is beginning its winter dormancy. Hearing Aids Keep You Happy, Healthy, and Wealthy, Adults with Hearing Loss at Higher Risk for Unemployment. The Royal Victorian Eye and Ear Hospital is urging people to be more careful around yucca plants following at least 28 injuries since 2012. While the pointed tips of yucca often make people cautious to keep the plant clear from their eyes, they are less conscientious when it came to the plant tips near the sides of their heads. "A lot of people are a bit worried about their eyes when they pick up a yucca plant," Professor O'Leary said. 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