Handbook of Poisonous and Injurious Plants

Page 147

138

Crinum

Reference Krenzelok EP, Jacobsen TD. Plant exposures: A national profile of the most common plant genera. Vet Hum Tox 1997;39:248–249.

Crinum species Family: Amaryllidaceae Crinum asiaticum L. Crinum bulbispermum (Burm.) Milne-Redh. & Schweick. Common Names: Crinum Lily, Lirio, Lys, Spider Lily Description: These plants have onion-like bulbs. The straplike leaves are

arranged in a spiral. Lily-like flowers appear on a solid, leafless stem and are usually white but may be pink or red. Distribution: Some species are native to the southern United States and the West

Indies. Crinum bulbispermum, from South Africa, and C. asiaticum L., from tropical Asia, are most frequently encountered in cultivation. Toxic Part: All parts of the plant are toxic, particularly the bulb. Toxin: Lycorine and related phenanthridine alkaloids (see Narcissus). Clinical Findings: Toxicity is uncommonly reported in humans.Ingestion of small amounts produces few or no symptoms. Large exposures may cause nausea, vomiting, abdominal cramping, diarrhea, dehydration, and electrolyte imbalance. Crinum asiaticum, close-up of flowers

Crinum bulbispermum, young plants showing bulbs


Issuu converts static files into: digital portfolios, online yearbooks, online catalogs, digital photo albums and more. Sign up and create your flipbook.