Tulip
General poisoning notes:
Tulip (Tulipaspp.), 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 (Alstroemeriaspp.), 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
Tulipa gesneriana L.
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).
