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Kaffir Lily
Plant Name:
Kaffir Lily
Scientific Name:
Clivia miniata
Family:
Amaryllidaceae
Toxins:
Lycorine, crinidine, clivacetine, clivonine, cliviasine, clividine
Poisoning Symptoms:
Moderate to severe gastrointestinal upset (vomiting, diarrhea, abdominal pain), drooling, inappetance, lethargy, general appearance of unwellness. In cases of a large ingestion; low blood pressure, tremors, convulsions, paralysis, cardiac arrhythmias, collapse and possibly death. Bulbs are the most poisonous part.
Additional Information:
Clivia miniata, also known as Natal lily, bush lily, orange lily, umayime (Zulu) and boslelie (Afrikaans) is an attractive, shade-loving flowering perennial plant in the genus Clivia of the family Amaryllidaceae. Native to South Africa, the plant has a fleshy, tuberous rhizome and dark-green, strap-shaped leaves. The foliage and flower arise from a corm (or bulbo-tuber, bulbotuber) and may grow to 18 to 20 inches tall. The flowers are usually orange, but occasionally appear in red or yellow as well and possess a faint but sweet smelling perfume. It is sometimes known in cultivation as "Kaffir lily". However, this name is also confusingly applied to the genus Schizostylis. Due to the exceptionally beautiful flowers this plant produces it is a commonplace garden ornamental and potted house plant in many parts of the world.
The plant is toxic to pets as it does contain amaryllidaceae alkaloids (phenanthridine derivatives) such as lycorine, crinidine, and other lesser known alkaloids like clivacetine, clivonine, cliviasine and clividine. Studies have shown lycorine (the most well known alkaloid of the group) to exist at a dry weight concentration of up to 0.43% in the plant (Frohne and and Pfander 1983, Lampe and McCann 1985). These alkaloids are emetics (causing vomiting), but the mechanism is unknown.Large quantities must be ingested to cause symptoms of toxicity.
A toxic crystalline alkaloid, lycorine is found in many other members of the Amaryllidaceae family as well, to include surprise lilies (Lycoris), and daffodils (Narcissus). In sufficiently high doses it can be highly poisonous, or even lethal when ingested. Lycorine intoxication has both central nervous system and gastrointestinal effects. The typical clinical signs of ingestion include moderate to severe gastrointestinal upset (vomiting, diarrhea, abdominal pain), lethargy and the general appearance of unwellness. In cases of a large ingestion; convulsions, paralysis, collapse and possibly death could be the result. Regardless, it is sometimes used medicinally, a reason why some groups harvest Clivia miniata. Lycorine is believed to inhibit protein synthesis and may also decrease ascorbic acid biosynthesis, although the latter is subject to some controversy and is generally considered to be inconclusive.
As the toxins of Clivia miniata have an emetic effect, the amount typically ingested is small, so serious cases of acute intoxication are rare. In the majority of cases the symptoms will be limited to nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea. The majority of pets that ingest Clivia miniata will fall ill and begin to vomit out the plant before consuming a quantity large enough to cause life threatening toxicosis. As with any toxic or potentially toxic plant, exercise common sense and good environmental awareness by preventing pets from gaining access to areas that contain the plant.
First Aid:
Treatment for the ingestion of plants containing lycorine is symptomatic and supportive; there is no specific treatment or antidote. If the ingestion was recent remove any existing plant matter from the mouth and flush the mouth thoroughly with water. Unless it is recognized very early on that a pet ingested a plant containing lycorine or the amounts involved are large, vomiting the patient is probably not recommended, as the emetic effects of the toxin will inevitably cause the patient to vomit spontaneously. . When significant amounts are involved, and there is danger of prolonged vomiting or nongastrointestinal effects, lavage may be indicated. Although activated medical charcoal may be very useful in adsorbing these alkaloids, its use may be limited since symptoms of vomiting and diarrhea can take an hour or more to manifest from the time of ingestion. . If the vomiting and diarrhea are extensive, patients should be monitored for fluid and electrolyte loss. In cases where animals have ingested a large amount, hypotension, seizures and hepatic damage has been reported; patients should have blood pressure and liver function monitored.
Species Affected:
Toxic To Dogs
Toxic To Cats
Toxic To Horses
