23/04/2024
Siberian Squill (Scilla) Grows and spreads throughout Ontario. - I have came across it here in Renfrew County.
This plant has high-severity poison characteristics. Leaves, blooms, bulbs, and seeds are all toxic. Toxic to humans, dogs, and cats.
The City (Toronto) is concerned about its tendency to spread into natural areas and its ability to choke out native plant life.
The species is easily identified by its vibrant blue-violet flowers, which first take a bell-shaped form before sprouting into one-inch-wide blossoms with six petals, each bearing a darker stripe down the middle.
Siberian Squill may look pretty in your garden as an early bloomer breaking the grey spell of the first weeks of spring, but the City (Toronto) is concerned about its tendency to spread into natural areas and its ability to choke out native plant life.
In addition to threatening local ecosystems, these colourful plants can cause serious illness and even death if ingested by humans or pets. The Siberian Squill's bulbs, seeds, leaves and flowers are all toxic and can cause symptoms that include diarrhea, vomiting and abdominal pain if consumed.
Toronto's Urban Forestry department suggests killing these plants by removing or mowing flowers before their seed pods develop. Digging up bulbs is also recommended, followed by tamping down of soil to decrease disturbance.
Information from BLOG TO
https://www.blogto.com/city/2024/04/invasive-plant-toxic-toronto/
