Dwarf Cavendish.. and allergic reactions??
 

Hi, I currently have two Dwarf Cavendish plants that are about 8ft & doing really well in Zone 9b, although majority of the years are Zone 10a. Also trying some new plants for next season, Ice Cream, Grain Nain, Double, Williams, & Goldfinger!

Anway, I saw on the site: http://davesgarden.com/guides/pf/go/532/ It said about the Dwarf Cavendish, Danger: Handling plant may cause skin irritation or allergic reaction

What is this all about??

Re: Dwarf Cavendish.. and allergic reactions??
 

Just speculation here, but I imagine they are talking about the natural latex that bananas produce. I know a lot of people are allergic to latex and can even experience anaphlaxis (sp?) from contact.

Re: Dwarf Cavendish.. and allergic reactions??
 

i suppose there can be any type of allergy if you look at enough people, but handling banana plants should pose no danger to most people, its odd they would put that up there as every part of the plant is generally harmless. i know some people that are allergic to the fruit when eaten, but handling the plants shouldn't pose any risk. id think you'd have to cut the plant and actually have the sap come in contact with you, and you'd have to be allergic to latex to even worry about it, if latex is not a problem then theres probably nothing to worry about.

Re: Dwarf Cavendish.. and allergic reactions??
 

yeah.... what Gabe said :D

Re: Dwarf Cavendish.. and allergic reactions??
 

Many people down here in S FL have that sap problem with mangos. They can't even peel the fruit, BUT if someone else peels it they have no problem at all eating it. That seems weird to me.
My only problem is the juice from bananas when you trim them up gets on your clothes and you don't know it untill you wash and dry them and see all these awful dark brown splotches on them. Until I read about it on here, I had no idea what was causing the stains.

Re: Dwarf Cavendish.. and allergic reactions??
 

Ah so they produce latex..? I didn't know that! Good thing I have no problem with latex because I really love the way the leafs feel. They are so soft:)

Re: Dwarf Cavendish.. and allergic reactions??
 

Mangoes, Cashews and Poison Ivy are all friends botanically speaking and they produce similar toxins, poison ivy of course is harmful to most people upon contact, as are raw cashew nuts, and some people are sensitive to mangoes. I dont know exactly what the chemicals involved are why its a problem to only some people (regarding mangoes), but I know its all related.