We visited the college as part of our plant project, and Miss Shoghik gave us an overview of the many plants they had and how they were grown. See our visit here.
One of the plants she mentioned is called “dieffenbachia.” Dieffenbachias are most commonly grown as houseplants. She mentioned the fact that this plant is poisonous, the leaves contain needle-like calcium oxalate crystals and proteolytic enzymes, which cause major problems if ingested or rubbed into the eyes/skin. Another name for this plant is “dumb cane,” and that name has fallen out of favor, however it was given due to the poisonous nature of the plant. The thick, broad leaves of Dieffenbachia are typically a mix of green, white, and yellow, depending on the species. While some are maintained pruned to stay as small as 30 cm, others can reach heights of up to 180-240 cm. Seasonally flowering Dieffenbachia never flower while housed indoors. Additionally, some plants have sap that, when touched, can irritate skin severely. While growing dieffenbachia indoors, it requires bright, indirect sunlight.
This plant in particular caught my attention because poisonous/dangerous things in nature fascinate me, whether it be plants, fungi or animals.
Աստղիկ Հակոբյան 
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