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ORCHIDACEAE

(Orchid family)

17,000 species in 735 genera are of cosmopolitan distribution, abundant in the tropics but rare in Arctic regions.

[Summary yet to be added]

Aplectrum hyemale Torrey

(syns Cymbidium hyemale Muhl. ex Willd., Corallorhiza hyemalis Nutt.)

Adam and Eve, Puttyroot

[Information available but not yet included in database]

Coryanthes speciosa Hook.

(syns Coryanthes maculata Hook., Coryanthes picturata Reichb. f., Coryanthes punctata Beer, Epidendrum galeatum Vell., Gongora speciosa Hook.)

Bucket Orchid

[Information available but not yet included in database]

Cypripedium acaule Aiton

Pink Lady's Slipper, Pink Lady's Slipper

Nestler (1907) investigated the glandular secretions of the leaves of this species but found no substances that could irritate the skin.

Cypripedium parviflorum Salisb.

(syns Cypripedium calceolus L. var parviflorum Fernald, Cypripedium calceolus L. ssp parviflorum Hultén, Cypripedium bulbosum L. var parviflorum Farw., Cypripedium hirsutum Mill. var parviflorum Nieuw., Cypripedium luteum Raf. var parviflorum Raf.)

Northern Small-Flowered Yellow Ladyslipper

MacDougal (1895) observed that 6 of 9 subjects challenged with the leaves and stems of this species developed contact dermatitis. He reported also that tests repeated a year later produced a similar outcome. Nestler (1907) investigated the glandular secretions of the leaves of this species but found no substances that could irritate the skin.

Cypripedium parviflorum Salisb. var pubescens O.W. Knight

(syns Cypripedium calceolus L. var pubescens Correll, Cypripedium bulbosum L. var pubescens Farw., Cypripedium pubescens Willd.)

Large Yellow Lady's Slipper Orchid, Large Yellow Ladyslipper, Greater Yellow Lady's Slipper Orchid, Flatpetalled Ladyslipper, Golden Slipper, Mocassin Flower

White (1888) noted that Cypripedium pubescens is capable of producing as severe an inflammation of the skin as can Rhus toxicodendron (fam. Anacardiaceae). Dermatitis of the hands and face occurred in a botanist who collected the plants. He observed that his hands were stained with the purplish secretion of the glandular hairs which densely clothed the stems and leaves (McNair 1923, Pammel 1911). MacDougal (1894) referred to a case of an individual who was sensitive to poison ivy and who also experienced dermatitis following contact with either Cypripedium spectabile or Cypripedium pubescens. MacDougal (1895) observed that 6 of 9 subjects challenged with the leaves and stems of Cypripedium pubescens developed contact dermatitis. He reported also that tests repeated a year later produced a similar outcome. In contrast, when Nestler (1907) investigated the glandular secretions of the leaves of Cypripedium pubescens, he found no substances that could irritate the skin.

Cypripedium reginae Walter

(syns Cypripedium spectabile Salisb., Cypripedium hirsutum Mill.)

White Lady's Slipper Orchid, Showy Lady's Slipper

MacDougal (1894), referring to Cypripedium spectabile, observed at first hand a severe dermatitis elicited by the leaves of this orchid when brushed against the arm. On further investigation he (MacDougal 1895) observed that 6 of 9 subjects challenged with the leaves and stems developed contact dermatitis. He reported also that tests repeated a year later produced a similar outcome. Also referring to Cypripedium spectabile, Nestler (1907) demonstrated that the overground parts of this species yield a skin irritating secretion. Later, Nestler (1908) reported the results of more detailed studies into the skin irritating activity of this species. Referring to Cypripedium hirsutum, Coulter (1904) described the outcome of challenge tests carried out in 22 subjects. Eleven of the subjects exhibited unpleasant effects from the mere handling of this species; a further six reacted only after rubbing of the plant on the skin; and five showed no reaction. Coulter (1904) also noted that he had seen numerous cases of dermatitis (which resembles that caused by poison ivy) attributable to this orchid and that it is most active during the flowering season, becoming practically innocuous after seed maturation. More recently, Beierlein (1957) reported Cypripedium reginae as a cause of allergic contact dermatitis.

Gavilea leucantha Poepp.

(syn. Asarca leucantha Poepp. & Endl.)

[Information available but not yet included in database]

Vanilla Mill.

90 species are found in tropical and subtropical regions. The spice, vanilla, is obtained from the pods of species of this genus.

Vanilla griffithii Reichb. f.

Vanilla planifolia Andrews

Workers who handled the pods developed dermatitis of the hands and face. The action of a mite or of cardol was suspected. Cardol derived from Anacardium, fam. Anacardiaceae was said to be applied to the pods to darken them (White 1887). Workers who clean, pack and sort the pods can develop dermatitis (Prosser White 1934, Downing 1939). Dermatitis from vanilla is known in the perfume and confectionery industries (Greenberg and Lester 1954, Schwartz et al. 1957).

Conjunctivitis and a partially generalized pustular eruption followed handling vanilla pods (Hiley 1909). A mould which covers the pods and chemicals applied to the pods have been suspected. Vanilla in a hair lotion produced dermatitis; the patient carried out a patch test to vanilla with a positive result (Leggett 1914).

Prosser White (1934) [incorrectly] cited Hutchinson (1892) as the source article in which the term "vanillaism" was coined; Maiden (1912) also referred to this condition. In an outbreak of contact dermatitis in workers with vanilla, 20% of those exposed were affected but they recovered in three weeks and were never troubled again; probably some transient contaminant was responsible (Gougerot and Basset 1939). Irritation occurring in persons who cut the vines was attributed to calcium oxalate crystals in the juice. A positive patch test to vanilla was observed in a sandwich maker who had contact dermatitis (Hjorth and Weismann 1972). Contact dermatitis from vanilla may present as erythema only, without eczematous changes (Sidi and Hincky 1964). Vanillin has sensitising properties and cross-sensitivity is observed with some constituents of balsam of Peru (from Myroxylon balsamum Harms var pereirae Harms, fam. Leguminosae) (Hjorth 1961). Eating vanilla caused a flare of eczema in a patient who was contact sensitive to the balsam (Pirila 1970). Vanilla and vanillin used in perfumery have caused dermatitis (Greenberg and Lester 1954).

An individual who chewed a portion of the plant experienced an acute burning sensation in the mouth after a slight delay (Morton 1962a).

References

• Beierlein H (1957) Allergischer Hautausschlag verursacht durch den amerikanischen Prachtfrauschuh (Cypripedium reginae). Orchidee 8: 95
• Coulter S (1904) The poisonous plants of Indiana. Proceedings of the Indiana Academy of Science : 51-63
• Downing, J.G. (1939) Cutaneous eruptions among industrial workers. Archs Derm. Syph. 39: 12.
• Gougerot, H. and Basset, A. (1939) Occupational eczema due to vanilla. Bull. Soc. Franc. Derm. 46: 1329.
• Greenberg, L.A. and Lester, D. (1954) Handbook of Cosmetic Materials. New York. Interscience.
• Hiley, R.F. (1909) Dermatitis due to vanilla. Lancet i: 1433 and 1907, Feb 16 and 1906, Nov. 24.
• Hjorth, N. (1961) Eczematous Allergy to Balsams. Munksgaard, International Booksellers and Publishers Ltd., Copenhagen.
• Hjorth N and Weismann K (1972) Occupational dermatitis in chefs and sandwich makers. Contact Dermatitis Newsletter (11): 301, 300
• Hutchinson J (1892) An eruption caused by vanilla. Archives of Surgery (London) 4(Jul): 49-50
• Leggett, W. (1914) Vanilla as a skin irritant. Br. Med. J. 1: 1351.
• MacDougal DT (1894) On the poisonous influence of Cypripedium spectabile and Cypripedium pubescens. Minnesota Botanical Studies 1, Bulletin 9(1): 32-36 + 3 plates
• MacDougal DT (1895) Poisonous influence of various species of Cypripedium. Minnesota Botanical Studies 1, Bulletin 9(7): 450-451
• Mackoff, S. and Dahl, A.O. (1951) A botanical consideration of the weed oleoresin problem. Minn. Med. 34: 1169.
• Maiden JH (1912) Additional skin-irritating plants. Agricultural Gazette of New South Wales 23(7): 604
• McNair JB (1923) Rhus Dermatitis from Rhus toxicodendron radicans and diversiloba (Poison Ivy). Its pathology and chemotherapy. Chicago: University of Chicago Press
• Morton JF (1962a) Ornamental plants with toxic and/or irritant properties. II. Proceedings of the Florida State Horticultural Society 75: 484-491 [url]
• Nestler A (1907) Das Sekret der Drüsenhaare der Gattung Cypripedium mit besonderer Berücksichtigung seiner hautreizenden Wirkung. Berichte der Deutschen Botanischen Gesellschaft 25(10): 554-567
• Nestler A (1908) Das Hautgift der Cypripedien. In: Wiesner-Festschrift. Im Auftrage des Festkomitees redigiert von K. Linsbauer. pp. 200-206. Wien: Carl Konegen (Ernst Stülpnagel)
• Pammel, L.H. (1911) A Manual of Poisonous Plants. Torch Press. Cedar Rapids, Iowa. Reprinted Univ. Microfilms Inc. Ann Arbor, Mich. 1965. pp. 476-7.
• Pirila, V. (1970) Endogenic contact eczema. Allergie Asthma 16: 15.
• Prosser White R (1934) The Dermatergoses or Occupational Affections of the Skin. 4th edn. London: HK Lewis
• Schwartz, L., Tulipan, L. and Birmingham, D.J. (1957) Occupational Diseases of the Skin. 3rd ed. Philadelphia. Lea and Febiger. pp. 637-672.
• Sidi, E. and Hincky, M. (1964) Unusual clinical appearances of allergic contact dermatitis. Rev. Clin. Esp. 1: 209.
• Touton, K. (1932) Hauterkrankungen durch phanerogamische Pflanzen und ihre Produkte (Toxicodermia et Allergodermia phytogenes), In: Barnewitz, J. et al. Angeborene Anomalien, Lichtdermatosen, Pflanzengifte, Thermische Schadigungen, Einfluss Innerer Storungen auf die Haut. Berlin, Verlag von Julius Springer.
• White, J.C. (1887) Dermatitis Venenata: An account of the Action of External Irritants upon the Skin. Boston. Cupples and Hurd.
• White JC (1888) Letter to the Editor. Garden and Forest 1(May 2): 118
• [ + 6 further references not yet included in database]

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