Tulip
General poisoning notes:
Tulip (Tulipa
spp.), including Tulipa gesneriana, is a widely cultivated plant used as
a perennial spring flower in Canada. Many species and hybrids as well as
numerous cultivars of tulips may be found in Canada. Tulips contain an allergen,
tuliposide A, which causes dermatitis in sensitive individuals. Poisoning of
humans and dogs has also been reported when tulip bulbs mistaken for onions
were ingested. The allergen tuliposide A is also found in the Peruvian lily (Alstroemeria
spp.), and there is cross-sensitivity to onion and garlic (Allium spp).
Tulips are not normally a problem to humans, but sensitive individuals should
avoid touching the plants (Mitchell and Rook 1979, Cooper and Johnson 1984).
Nomenclature:
Scientific Name: Tulipa gesneriana L.
Vernacular
name(s): tulip
Scientific family
name: Liliaceae
Vernacular family
name: lily
Geographic Information
Plant or plant
parts used in or around the home.
Notes on Poisonous plant parts:
Tulips contain an
allergen that causes dermatitis in sensitive individuals. The allergen
concentration is highest in the bulbs, less in the stem and leaves, and least
in the flowers. The allergen decreases in the outermost leaves immediately
before harvest time. Some cultivars of tulips cause less severe dermatitis than
others (Mitchell and Rook 1979).
Toxic parts:
Bulb - dust of, bulbs,
leaves, stems.
Notes on Toxic plant chemicals:
Tuliposide A is
the precursor of the sensitizing agent called
alpha-methylene-gamma-butyrolactone (tulipalin A), which results from the
hydrolysis of tuliposide A and the lactonization of its aglycone. This chemical
causes dermatitis in sensitive individuals (Mitchell and Rook 1979).
Toxic plant chemicals:
Tuliposide A.
Animals/Human Poisoning:
Note: When an
animal is listed without additional information, the literature (as of 1993)
contained no detailed explanation.
Dogs
Humans
General symptoms of
poisoning:
Breathing,
labored, eczema, erythema, nausea, salivation, sweating, vomiting, weakness.
Notes on poisoning:
A few cases of
poisoning have occurred after tulip bulbs were ingested either to supplement
food or when the bulbs were mistaken for onions. Symptoms included nausea,
salivation, sweating, difficult breathing, and palpitations. Weakness persisted
for days and vomiting occurred (Cooper and Johnson 1984).
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