Poisonous plants of southern
Africa
Poisonous species in the plant family Amaryllidaceae
Amaryllis belladonna
(March Lily) An alkaloid called lycorine (narcissine)
in the bulb affects the heart and if the bulb is eaten in quantity, death
can result. |
|
Ammocharis coranica
(Ground Lily) The bulb contains the following poisonous
alkaloids: lycorine, acetylcaranine, caranine and crinamine. |
|
Boophone disticha (Fan-leaved Boophone, Poison Bulb, Sore-eye Flower,
Tumblehead)
The bulb contains poisonous alkaloids including
lycorine and buphanine (resembling hyoscine) and consumption thereof can
result in death. |
|
Brunsvigia
spp. (candelabra
flowers) The bulb contains poisonous alkaloids
including: brunsvigine, brunsvinine, lycorine and crinamine. Levels of
toxicity evidently differ seasonally.
|
|
Clivia miniata
(Bush Lily,
St John's Lily, Clivia, Fire Lily) The entire plant is
poisonous due to toxic alkaloids, mainly lycorine and cliviine. Death can
result from eating it in large amounts.
|
|
Crinum
spp.
Some species have poisonous seeds and bulbs, containing haemolytic saponin,
and the alkaloids lycorine, crinine and crinamine.
|
|
Cyrtanthus
spp.
Bulb contains non-lethal haemolytic saponin and alkaloids, and causes
vomiting and diarrhoea if eaten.
|
|
Haemanthus coccineus
(April Fool, Blood Flower) The bulb contains toxic
alkaloids, including haemanthidine and haemanthamine, lethal if consumed in
quantity.
|
|
Hymenocallis (spider lilies)
Bulbs contain the toxic alkaloid lycorine.
|
|
Narcissus spp. (daffodils and
jonquils) Bulbs and leaves cause severe vomiting and
diarrhoea. Sap can cause dermatitis.
|
|
Nerine spp.
Bulbs contain poisonous alkaloids, but not usually enough to cause death if
eaten.
|
|
Scadoxus spp.
Bulbs can contain toxic alkaloids.
|
|
Zephyranthes spp. (Zephyr
lilies) Bulb is toxic.
|
|
References
-
Munday, J. 1988. Poisonous Plants in South African Gardens and Parks. A
Field Guide. Delta Books, Craighall, Johannesburg.
|