[inishindie]

A friend of mine mistook a tulip bulb for an onion recently. He went straight to hospital and after a short wait in casualty the doctor saw him.
“Are tulip bulbs poisonous? My friend asked the doctor
The doctor told him that they were and he would have to be admitted the poisons unit.
“Oh dear” said my friend “How long will I be in for?”
“Don’t worry,” said the doctor “You will be out by spring!”

I must apologise, telling jokes is not one of my strong points. It does lead me nicely to the next topic though, -bulbs that can be poisonous. Tulips are poisonous when raw but apparently they were eaten cooked in wartime when food was rationed. I wouldn’t fancy it myself and thankfully food is plentiful, too plentiful sometimes! There are other bulbs you will be planting now so after reading the list you will appreciate why it is important to wash your hands after putting them into the ground.

Amaryllis (Also known as Belladonna Lily).
The alkaloids in the bitter tasting bulb will cause trembling and vomiting if ingested in quantity. You would feel weak and have a rapid heartbeat.

Daffodil. (Narcissus)
These bulbs can cause all sorts of problems if ingested, such as diarrhoea, trembling and vomiting. Keep children away from them as they do look like edible onions

Crocus.
The whole plant is poisonous but the Colchicine, which is the nasty bit, is present mainly in the bulb.

Hyacinth.
A member of the lily family. The bulbs contain so many toxins that only a small amount ingested can cause severe stomach upset.

Iris.
The irritating juice in the leaves and roots of the Iris causes severe, but not dangerous tummy upsets.

Snowdrop.
This is an Amaryllis family bulbous herb, prized by gardeners for its early blooming flowers. The small bulbs contain alkaloids these may cause stomach and intestinal upset.

Star of Bethlehem.
The Star-of-Bethlehem is a one-foot tall, onion-like plant with a large bulb and small white flowers. The bulbs are sometimes eaten by children and cause nausea and vomiting. An irregular heartbeat similar to digitalis intoxication has been reported. Poisoning is usually not severe.

Trillium. There are about thirty species available of this beautiful perennial herb belonging to the Lily family. Each spring the flowering stalks arise from thick, short rootstocks. Eating the toxic rootstocks produces violent vomiting.



Cheers

Ian

[James Kilkelly, was GPI.]

Great post inishindie.

Daffodil. (Narcissus)
Roman soldiers carried a few of these bulbs with them into battle.
If they were mortally wounded, they would eat a bulb or two to hasten their passage to the underworld.




If you are looking to plant some bulbs you should be able to pick some up here..... Spring bulbs.