Peruvian lily
General poisoning notes:
Peruvian lily (Alstromeria ligtu) is grown as a cut flower by the florist industry. Cut flowers are also flown into North America from Holland. This plant causes contact dermatitis to workers who may be sensitized to the chemical tuliposide A, which is also found in tulip plants. This chemical readily penetrates vinyl gloves. Nitrile gloves may prevent the allergic reaction of workers sensitive to this chemical (Marks 1988).
Nomenclature:
Scientific Name: Alstroemeria ligtu L.
Vernacular name(s): Peruvian lily
Scientific family name: Amaryllidaceae
Vernacular family name: amaryllis
Alstroemeria ligtu L.
Geographic Information
Plant or plant parts used in or around the home.
Toxic parts:
Plant juices
Notes on Toxic plant chemicals:
The lactone 6-tuliposide A occurs in both the Peruvian lily and in tulip plants. A human who becomes sensitized to one of the plants generally becomes cross-reactive to the other plant. In a series of tests, it took about 3 years for workers to become sensitive to Peruvian lily (Santucci et al. 1985).
Toxic plant chemicals:
Tuliposide A, 6-tuliposide A.
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:
Blistering, erythema.
