Question
I am an elementary teacher and my students are having lots of fun with mexican jumping beans and have witnessed the emergence of one small moth after its metamorphosis in the seed pod.  We live in zone 7-8 in Texas and I think that the bush sebastiana pavoniana may survive here.

I would like to explore the purchase of seeds without parasites or the bush to plant in our school garden. We have a source for jumping beans but not the plant. My hesitation is that the material I have read says that the plant is poisonous. (It did not indicate which parts are poisonous)
We certainly would not want to expose students to a poisonous plant!

If it is safe to plant one, where could we get seeds or a plant?

Thanks for your help!

Susan Carroll
Western Hills Ele.
Temple, Texas

Answer
Hi Susan,
Thanx for your questions.  Sebastiana pavoniana is a member of the Eubphorbia family (poinsettias are members of this family).  When the branches are cut a poisounous milky sap exudes.  I have never been sensitive as far as dermal contact but many people will develop a rash.  One definitely does not want to ingest the sap as it is very toxic, possibly lethal if taken internally.  I have heard of pets dying that chewed on poinsettias.  Unless your school children are toddlers most children 5 and older can be instructed not to ingest the plant because it is poisonous.  There are so many common garden plants that are poisonous I think you can enjoy these plants with children who understand what poison means.  Now, as for plants?  I looked everywhere and could not find any references for purchasing this plant which is native only to a certain area in Mexico.  I suggest you contact the Arizona Sonora Desert Museum.  They may be able to tell you how you can purchase the plant.  I hope this helps and here's the link.
Tom

http://www.desertmuseum.org