Aussie's highly toxic find in neighbour's garden: 'Should I let them know?'

Australia is home to tens of thousands of native species, most of which are only found here. That's why they're so vulnerable to introduced pest plants.

A handful of arum lily plants seen in the ground of a WA local's garden.
Australians are being reminded to read up on what plants are considered invasive after a WA man spotted arum lilies in his neighbour's yard. Source: Facebook

Aussies are being reminded to always be cautious of what they plant in their gardens after a man made a very toxic discovery in his neighbour's backyard.

Australia is home to tens of thousands of native plants, most of which are only found here. We have a rich and diverse ecosystem hosting some of the most unique species known to man — but posing a risk to those species is invasive and introduced imports, and in particular, when they're not handled appropriately.

This week, a concerned Western Australian man, from Busselton in the state's southwest, posted to social media after he noticed his neighbours, who he said had recently relocated from overseas, planted a handful of arum lilies in their garden.

"So my neighbours who are new to the country have planted these in the garden! Should I go and let them know it's a no-no?" he asked other locals online. What started as a single post quickly sparked a flurry of responses, with over 100 other amateur gardeners sharing their advice.

The arum lily is pictured in two side-by-side images.
While they're often described as 'pretty', these flowers can cause death in both people and animals. Source: WA Department of Primary Industries

"I wish someone would tell the Busselton City council," said another.

"Our native bushlands [are] being smothered by these aggressive destructive pests. They might be pretty, but they’re pretty awful," somebody else commented.

In WA, the arum lily has been a declared pest, however they pose a risk across the country too. Having been imported from South Africa, the plant, which is commonly sold in flower bouquets, is actually extremely toxic to both people and animals.

A spokesperson for the WA Department of Primary Industries told Yahoo News Australia that all parts of the plant are poisonous, and warned people against handling them.

"Arum lily is a declared pest in WA. Arum lily has fleshy roots and forms extensive tubers which store food for future use. All parts of the plant are poisonous to humans and animals. While people can grow arum lily, the plants, tubers or seed can’t be traded," they told Yahoo.

Clare Hart, Manager Horticulture at Royal Botanic Gardens Victoria, warned people that do come into contact with the plant to wear protective clothing.

"All parts of the Arum lily (Zantedeschia aethiopica) are poisonous, and it is an environmental weed and invasive in urban and natural areas," Hart told Yahoo News Australia. "If you have it in your backyard, you can hand remove it by using a spade, place all plants parts in a garbage bag (don't compost) and dispose of accordingly.

"Remember to wear Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) including, gloves, long sleeve shirt and pants, boots and safety glasses. There are many other attractive plants suitable for the home garden including the beautiful Swamp Lily, Crinum pedunculatum or visit your local plant nursery for ideas and inspiration."

The arum lily is toxic also chokes waterways, reduces pasture productivity and outcompetes native plants. It contains a mineral called calcium oxalate and all parts of the plant, especially the flower, are poisonous and can cause eczema and dermatitis, irritation, burning and swelling of the mouth and throat, breathing difficulties, severe nausea, vomiting and stomach pain, diarrhoea, shock and exhaustion and in some extreme cases — death.

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