Dieffenbachia is poisonous. The poisonous part is in the rhizome. If you accidentally eat the rhizome, you will suffer from nausea, abdominal pain, cold limbs and even coma. Generally, when mucus sticks to your hands or skin, it will cause allergic reactions, plaques or an itchy feeling. If you scratch it accidentally, it will become more itchy.

Purple-backed Dieffenbachia (Rhoeo discolor Hance.), also known as Purple Brocade, Purpurea, Purple Orchid, Red-faced General, Xue Jianchou, Clam Flower, Clam Shell Flower, is a purple flower of the Commelina family. An evergreen perennial herb of the genus Dieffenbachia. The leaves are wide and lanceolate, growing in annular shapes on short stems. The leaves are smooth and dark green. It is a commonly cultivated indoor foliage plant.