General poisoning notes:Star-of-Bethlehem (Ornithogalum umbellatum), an outdoor ornamental flower, contains glycosides similar to digitalis. In some countries children have been poisoned after ingesting the flowers or bulbs. Ingesting two bulbs by an adult caused shortness of breath. The bulbs contain the highest quantity of these toxins. Cattle in South Africa (the native region for star-of-Bethlehem) have been poisoned, resulting in permanent blindness and death after ingestion. Children and family pets should be prevented from ingesting material from this plant (Cooper and Johnson 1984, Lampe and McCann 1985, Spoerke and Smolinske 1990). References: Cooper, M. R., Johnson, A. W. 1984. Poisonous plants in Britain and their effects on animals and man. Her Majesty's Stationery Office, London, England. 305 pp. Lampe, K. F., McCann, M. A. 1985. AMA Handbook of poisonous and injurious plants. American Medical Assoc. Chicago, Ill., USA. 432 pp. Spoerke, D. G., Smolinske, S. C. 1990. Toxicity of houseplants. CRC Press, Inc., Boca Raton, Fla., USA. 335 pp. Nomenclature: Scientific Name: Ornithogalum umbellatum L.
Vernacular name(s): star-of-Bethlehem Scientific family name: Liliaceae Vernacular family name: lily Go to ITIS*ca for more taxonomic information on: Ornithogalum umbellatum References: Agriculture Quebec. 1975. Noms des maladies des plantes du Canada/ Names of plant diseases in Canada. , Quebec City, Que., Canada. 288 pp. Alex, J. F., Cayouette, R., Mulligan, G. A. 1980. Common and botanical names of weeds in Canada/Noms populaire et scientifiques des plantes nuisibles du Canada. Revised. Agric. Can. Publ., Ottawa, Ont., Canada. 132 pp. Bailey, L. H., Bailey, E. Z. 1976. Hortus third. Revised. MacMillan, New York, N.Y., USA. 1290 pp. Scoggan, H. J. 1978, 1979. The flora of Canada. Nat. Mus. Nat. Sci. (Ottawa) Publ. Bot. 7(1)-7(4). 1711 pp. Van Wijk, H. L. 1911. A dictionary of plant names.
Martinus Nijhoff, The Hague, The Netherlands. 1444 pp. Victorin, M. 1964. Flore Laurentienne. 2nd ed. Univ. Montreal, Montreal, Que., Canada. 952 pp. Geographic Information Plant or plant parts used in or around the home. References: Bailey, L. H., Bailey, E. Z. 1976. Hortus third. Revised. MacMillan, New York, N.Y., USA. 1290 pp. Boivin, B. 1966, 1967. Énumération des plantes du Canada. Provencheria 6. Nat. Can. (Que.) 93: 253-274; 371-437; 583-646; 989-1063. 94: 131-157; 471-528; 625-655. Image or illustration Ornithogalum umbellatum: Images: images.google.com Toxic parts: bulbs
flowers
References: Lampe, K. F., McCann, M. A. 1985. AMA Handbook of poisonous and injurious plants. American Medical Assoc. Chicago, Ill., USA. 432 pp. Notes on Toxic plant chemicals:Two digitalis-like glycosides, convallatoxin and convalloside, are found through the plant but are concentrated in the bulbs and the flowers (Lampe and McCann 1985). Toxic plant chemicals: convallatoxin
convalloside
References: Lampe, K. F., McCann, M. A. 1985. AMA Handbook of poisonous and injurious plants. American Medical Assoc. Chicago, Ill., USA. 432 pp. Animals/Human Poisoning:Note: When an animal is listed without additional information, the literature (as of 1993) contained no detailed explanation. Humans General symptoms of poisoning:diarrhea
nausea
Notes on poisoning: Symptoms of ingestion include pain in the mouth, nausea, abdominal pain, and diarrhea. Stomach lavage or use of emetics is recommended (Cooper and Johnson 1984, Lampe and McCann 1985). References: Cooper, M. R., Johnson, A. W. 1984. Poisonous plants in Britain and their effects on animals and man. Her Majesty's Stationery Office, London, England. 305 pp. Lampe, K. F., McCann, M. A. 1985. AMA Handbook of poisonous and injurious plants. American Medical Assoc. Chicago, Ill., USA. 432 pp.
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