What part of the tulip is poisonous ?
The tulip, a flower of the bulb genus and the lily family, has large, stately flowers of many colors. There are about 120 species of tulips and thousands of their varieties. Read on to find out what part of the tulip is poisonous?
Tulips are such a popular plant. We keep them in vases and pots, so well liked at the same time that it is difficult to attribute anything bad to them.
Moreover, those more familiar with the culinary arts will list recipes in which tulip petals are a tasty addition to desserts or salads. So why do we put them on the list of poisonous plants?
Tulips contain alkaloids and glycosidic compounds that are toxic and can be dangerous to our health and even life. Only tulip petals are free of poisonous compounds, their consumption (except in cases of allergic reactions) is safe.
Tulips: Toxic bulbs
Probably none of us, seeing tulip flowers placed in a vase on the table, does not think about whether they are edible. However, there were times when this was an important question.
In the Netherlands, during World War II, people were starving, so they began to try to eat tulip bulbs that were bred for trade.
Presumably a tulip bulb visually associated with a regular onion gave the idea to try to use it as food. However, the idea turned out not only to be wrong, but even dangerous to the health of the attempters.
It just so happens that all parts of this plant, except the petals, are inedible.
Toxic alkaloids and glycoside compounds are concentrated mainly in the bulbs. Eating them can trigger:
- dizziness
- nausea
- stomach pain
- seizures sometimes
- even death in extreme cases
Tulips and allergic toxins
Scientists studying poisonous plants suspect that the presence of toxic compounds in tulip bulbs and stems is their form of defense against herbivores.
Tulip is the most popular ornamental plant in the world, we come into contact with it in many situations and places, we often have it in our own gardens, so remember to always wear protective gloves when caring for plants.
The point is that it is not only the consumption of tulip bulbs that can be harmful to humans. This plant also has an allergic effect, so skin allergies are often observed after contact with its bulbs or stems. The allergens in tulips can cause a skin rash in some people, which is often seen in tulip cultivators.
The reaction to allergens may also be tingling in the tips of the fingers or even increased nail brittleness. Sensitive people may also show allergic symptoms in the nasal passages, eye irritation, conjunctivitis and eyelid edema.
How to cut tulips after they die
Tulips are dangerous to dogs and cats
Many cats gnaw at plants in their homes or gardens. This is a dangerous habit that can result in a pet suffering from severe food poisoning.
Tulips are harmful to cats and dogs, but they bite the flowers less often and dig up the bulbs for fun.
Symptoms of poisoning with toxic substances may appear late, not immediately after the animal has eaten the plant. These are vomiting and / or diarrhea.
Often a symptom of tulip poisoning are problems in the work of the nervous system and liver, which is especially dangerous for the pet’s life.
Therefore, if you suspect that your cat or dog may have eaten parts of poisonous plants, take them to the vet.
