Content
- Osterglocken: How poisonous are they really?
- Ingredients and their concentration in daffodils
- Effects of toxins on humans and animals
- Precautions when handling daffodils
- Tips
Especially the onions of the daffodil are very poisonous
Osterglocken: How poisonous are they really?
The magnificent and brightly glowing flowers of the daffodils are among the messengers of spring, which can transform the garden into a sea of flowers with relatively little care. Often, however, seemingly omnipresent plants such as the daffodil are underestimated in their toxicity.
Ingredients and their concentration in daffodils
The daffodil or yellow daffodil contains u.a. various alkaloids such as lycorin, calcium oxalates, hemanthamine and various bitter substances. These are distributed throughout the plant, but the highest concentration is found in the onions. In natural medicine, homeopathic amounts of these substances are used for the treatment of bronchitis and diarrheal diseases, but this should only be done by healthcare professionals.
Effects of toxins on humans and animals
The leaf material and onions of the daffodils may cause the following effects on human and animal consumption:
Since even small amounts of food can cause death in children and dogs, they should not be able to reach the bulbs during the planting of daffodils. If there is a suspicion of poisoning with plant parts or onions of the daffodil, then first of all a lot of drinking water and activated carbon should be administered. Thereafter, removal of the venom from the gastric tract should be performed by a physician as soon as possible.
Precautions when handling daffodils
As daffodils are also often sold as cut flowers, caution should be taken with regard to children and pets to avoid the toxic water in the flower vase. After a mere touch during flowering, thorough washing of hands is sufficient to avert danger. In florists, however, skin irritation / dermatitis can sometimes be observed after intensive contact with the sap.
Tips
The biggest danger with daffodils is the inadvertent consumption due to the confusion of bulbs with onions. That's why the already winter hardy onions should not be dug up after flowering and should never be stored in the cellar next to the onions.