Dieffenbachia Flower & Beetles

Dieffenbachia Characteristics

• Dieffenbachia is an easy-to-grow evergreen that is tropical in nature. Commonly grown indoors, the dieffenbachia is widely cultivated for its sizable foliage. The plant itself stands between 3 and 6 feet tall, and the eye-catching leaves are capable of reaching up to 18 inches in length and 12 inches in width. Additionally, the foliage tends to present a range of colors, displaying many shades of green adorned with stripes, spots or darkly colored veins.

Pollination

• The dieffenbachia uses flowers as a reproductive mechanism. Though they are unremarkable in appearance, the slender blooms contain both male and female reproductive apparatus. To improve the odds of successful reproduction, the scent and shape of the flowers attracts pollinators -- bugs that crawl inside the bloom and unknowingly transfer pollen from the male portion of the plant to the female portion. While a number of insects are capable of pollinating the plant, dieffenbachia flowers emit an aroma that is particularly attractive to scarab beetles.

Beetle Control

• Even though scarab beetles are beneficial to the blooming dieffenbachia, but they can be problematic to other plants. The brightly colored bugs are vegetarians, by nature, and will happily chew their way through the leaves and flowers of any nearby flora. To keep unwanted scarab beetles under control, pick off any visible insects and then spray any affected plants with an all-purpose insecticide.

Warning

• In addition to drawing unwelcome insect pests into the house, dieffenbachia plants produce a noxious sap that can be toxic if ingested. The sap flows through the leaves and stems of the plant, carrying a chemical compound known as calcium oxalate. If consumed, calcium oxylate can irritate the digestive lining, causing redness, mild pain and an unpleasant burning sensation -- symptoms that can generally be alleviated with over-the-counter analgesics and antihistamines. Exposure to dieffenbachia sap is rarely fatal; however, should the leaves be ingested by a pet or small child, or if the symptoms become progressively worse, seek professional medical assistance immediately.