Hederin

/ˈhɛdərɪn/ noun

Definition

A chemical compound found in ivy that can be toxic to animals that eat the plant.

Etymology

From Latin 'hedera' meaning ivy, with the chemical suffix '-in' added to name the poisonous substance extracted from ivy leaves.

Kelly Says

Hederin is why ivy looks pretty but can make your pet seriously sick—it's nature's way of protecting the plant from being eaten, and chemists named the poison after the plant itself.

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