Peace Begonia
Begonia rex 'peace' · Begoniaceae
How it looks
Peace begonia is a type of rex begonia with large, oblique leaves swirled in silver and purple. The leaf surface is rough-textured and the undersides are purple. The foliage, more than the flowers, is the main attraction; grows 8–16 in tall.
Mild caution — stomach upset
The roots and leaves of peace begonia contain irritating compounds that can cause vomiting if chewed. Most cats recover on their own, but as a caution-level plant it still calls for monitoring.
Guide for parents
A nibble or two of peace begonia rarely leads to serious trouble, but its calcium oxalates and oxalates irritate the stomach and mucous membranes, causing mild digestive upset. Make it a habit to clear fallen leaves and broken stems the same day, and keep the pot somewhere your cat can't reach. If symptoms last more than 12 hours or your cat's appetite drops noticeably, consult your vet.
If ingested
Contact your nearest vet immediately
- Onset
- Within minutes to 2 hours of ingestion
- Symptoms
- Oral irritation, vomiting
- Action
- Rinse the mouth with water and monitor. Consult a vet if symptoms last more than 12 hours.
Details
- Scientific name
- Begonia rex 'peace'
- Common name
- Peace Begonia
- Family
- Begoniaceae
- Toxic parts
- Roots, Leaves
- Compounds
- Calcium oxalates, Oxalates
- Onset
- Within minutes to 2 hours of ingestion
- Symptoms
- Oral irritation, vomiting
- Action
- Rinse the mouth with water and monitor. Consult a vet if symptoms last more than 12 hours.
- Source
- ASPCA
