Have you ever broken the stem or leaf of a plant only to see a mysterious white liquid ooze out? This strange milky substance is found inside thousands of plant species, from common houseplants to wildflowers. But what exactly is this white goo, and why do so many plants produce it? Let’s unravel the mysteries of the white liquid inside plants.
What is the White Liquid Called?
The white liquid is known as latex or plant latex. It is produced by specialized cells called laticifers that are found throughout the tissues of certain plant groups. Latex is actually an emulsion – a mixture of various compounds suspended in water.
The main ingredients in latex include
- Proteins
- Sugars
- Starches
- Alkaloids
- Tannins
- Oils
- Gums
- Resins
So latex contains a diverse blend of chemical compounds that give it unique properties. The milky white appearance comes from the suspension of particles in water.
Which Plant Groups Contain Latex?
While thousands of species produce latex it is most common among
- Spurges (Euphorbiaceae family) – Crown of thorns, pencil tree
- Milkweeds (Asclepiadaceae family) – Common milkweed, butterfly weed
- Dogbanes (Apocynaceae family) – Oleander, periwinkle
- Poppies (Papaveraceae family) – Opium poppy
- Figs (Moraceae family) – Rubber plant, ficus
- Asteraceae family – Dandelions, chicory, lettuce
So latex-producing species are found across many plant families, though spurges are especially known for their thick, milky sap.
Why Do Plants Produce Latex?
This strange goo serves several very important functions for plants:
1. Protection Against Herbivores
The bitter taste and toxicity of latex deter animals from feeding on the plant. The thick, sticky consistency also immobilizes small insects like aphids.
2. Seal Wounds
When a plant is damaged, latex quickly flows out and coagulates to seal the wound site. This helps prevent infection by microbes and reduces water loss.
3. Healing Damaged Tissue
Compounds in latex may help repair wounded plant tissues and stimulate regrowth. The latex forms a protective barrier while the plant heals.
4. Storage of Reserves
Latex provides an emulsion medium to store proteins, starches, oils, and other compounds the plant can mobilize as needed.
So in short, latex is crucial to plant defense, wound healing, and nutrition storage.
Is Latex Toxic to Humans?
While latex serves good purposes for plants, it can cause human health issues:
- Skin and eye irritation
- Allergic reactions in sensitive individuals
- Toxicity if ingested, depending on the plant
Spurges and milkweeds contain highly irritating latex that can dangerously damage eyes. Latex of poppies and opium lettuce contain narcotic compounds. Some latex is harmless, but it’s wise to avoid contact when possible.
Common Houseplants That Release Latex
Many houseplants leak latex sap if leaves or stems are damaged. Some examples include:
- Ficus (weeping fig, rubber plant)
- Euphorbia (crown of thorns, pencil cactus)
- Dieffenbachia (dumb cane)
- Fiddle leaf fig
- Angel wing begonia
- Croton
- Poinsettia
- Aloe vera
So exercise caution around these and other latex-filled houseplants. The sap can cause skin, eye, and mucous membrane irritation.
What to Do if Exposed to Latex
If you get plant latex on your skin, immediately wash with soap and water. Seek medical care if irritation persists. Immediately flush eyes with water if latex gets in them, and see a doctor to fully cleanse the eye.
See a doctor if you experience significant symptoms like rash, swelling, or trouble seeing after latex exposure. Refrain from ingesting plant materials that may contain toxic latex.
While it seems strange, that white goo inside plants has an important protective role. Latex might not be euphoric for humans, but it’s crucial for a plant’s survival. So next time you see milky sap emerge from a damaged leaf or stem, you’ll understand why the plant produces this unusual substance.
Re: Could someone please identify this? And the best treatment? Thank you.
Hi @TommyTank007 and welcome to the Bunnings Workshop community.
I suspect that those are mealybugs, which can be a real pest on palm trees. I would treat them using pest oil, which will suffocate the individual bugs.
If you want to put in the extra effort, you can get a head start by using a bucket of soapy water and a washcloth to physically remove as many of the mealybugs as possible before letting the plant dry and then applying the pest oil. Make sure to check down along the side of the trunk, where the individual fronds clasp on to the stem, because mealybugs can congregate in those little gaps and crevices as well.
Let me tag our friendly garden experts @Noelle and @Adam_W to see whether they have any other advice.
Cheers and good luck,
What is the white substance on this indoor plant and how to treat?
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FAQ
What plant has white liquid inside?
Euphorbia, also known as spurges, is a genus of over 2000 different flowering plants. These plants contain a milky white sap that can be very irritating to the skin, eyes, and mouth.
What is the white liquid oozing from my plant?
What is cuckoo spit? Cuckoo spit is a white frothy liquid secreted by the nymphs of sap-sucking true bugs known as a froghoppers. They are also known as spittlebugs. It appears in spring at a time when the familiar call of cuckoos can be heard, but has no connection with the bird.
What is the white sap coming out of my plant?
What is milky sap? Technically, it’s not the sap itself that is white. The sap of these plants is still clear throughout the growing season. Instead it’s a specialized latex produced by these plants during the growing season that is infused into the sap, giving it a thick milky appearance.
What is the milky liquid in plants?
In nature, latex is found as a milky fluid, which is present in 10% of all flowering plants (angiosperms) and in some mushrooms (especially species of Lactarius). It is a complex emulsion that coagulates on exposure to air, consisting of proteins, alkaloids, starches, sugars, oils, tannins, resins, and gums.
What is a white liquid on a plant?
Many plants contain a white, milky latex substance that oozes out when their stems or leaves are bent, broken, or damaged. This white liquid is a form of sap that serves multiple purposes, including deterring hungry animals from eating the plant and protecting the plant from pathogens.
What plants ooze white latex?
Euphorbia (Spurge) – This genus contains over 2,000 species that ooze white latex. Euphorbia latex is toxic and irritating. Ficus (Rubber Plant, Weeping Fig) – The white sap from Ficus trees can cause skin irritation. Asclepias (Milkweed) – Named for its milky latex, milkweed sap is toxic.
Which plants produce white sap?
One of the most well-known families of plants that produce white sap is the Euphorbia or Spurge family (Euphorbiaceae). These plants are highly toxic and can cause intense eye and skin inflammation, as well as blindness.
Why is white liquid oozing from my plant?
If you see white liquid oozing from your plant, it is likely that a stem or leaf has been damaged. Use soap and water to clean it up and be cautious if you have pets or young children who might come into contact with the plant, as the liquid may be toxic if ingested and can cause skin irritation.
What is latex in plants?
Many plants contain a white, milky liquid inside their stems and leaves This liquid is known as latex and it serves an important purpose for the plant. In this article, we’ll explore what latex is, which plants contain it, and why it exists What is Latex? Latex is a milky white fluid found in the cells of some plant species.
Why do plants produce milky sap?
It is similar to plants with developed thorns. Another reason for plants to produce milky sap is to heal injured parts faster. When the plant tissues are broken, the plant releases latex that hardens quickly and seals the wound, thereby preventing infection or fluid loss.