The star of Bethlehem (Ornithogalum umbellatum), also known as nap-at-noon or eleven-o’clock lady, is a bulbous perennial plant that originated in Europe and western Asia. While beautiful, this plant contains toxic compounds that can cause illness or even death if ingested by humans or animals. Being aware of the risks and identifying this plant is key to prevention.
Overview of the Star of Bethlehem Plant
The star of Bethlehem is a member of the lily family, growing from a bulb with long, slender leaves emerging from its base. The plants produce clusters of star-shaped white flowers in late spring or early summer, often dotted with green markings. The foliage dies back by midsummer, going dormant until the next year. While lovely, it spreads aggressively via its bulbs, quickly colonizing an area.
Native to Eurasia, the star of Bethlehem was introduced to North America and Australia as an ornamental plant. It has naturalized in many regions, growing in gardens, fields, roadsides, and other disturbed areas. As an invasive species, it outcompetes native plants and takes over natural habitats.
Toxicity of the Star of Bethlehem Plant
All parts of the star of Bethlehem plant, including the bulbs, leaves, and flowers, contain toxic cardiac glycosides The bulbs have the highest concentration of the toxic compounds.
When ingested, these substances cause heart palpitations, irregular heart rhythms, and convulsions by disrupting electrolyte balance in the heart muscle The toxins essentially make the heart work too hard and beat erratically
Poisoning symptoms may include:
- Nausea, vomiting, diarrhea
- Abdominal pain
- Fatigue, weakness, dizziness
- Irregular or rapid heartbeat
- Hypotension
- Muscle tremors or seizures
- Coma, death
Without swift treatment, the heart may beat itself to death. These severe effects make star of Bethlehem poisoning a life-threatening emergency.
Risk of Accidental Poisoning
Accidentally consuming star of Bethlehem is a risk for people and animals. The bulbs resemble onions and are the most frequently ingested part. Bitter taste often limits intake, but as little as one bite of a bulb can cause poisoning.
Children or pets may nibble on leaves or flowers out of curiosity. Cases often occur when the plant colonizes gardens and yards where people or animals may encounter it. Foraging from the wild also poses risk if the plant is misidentified.
Certain groups are especially vulnerable, including young children, the elderly, and those with existing heart conditions. Pet owners should take care to prevent access and notify the vet if poisoning is suspected.
Preventing Exposure and Poisoning
Avoiding accidental poisoning starts with proper identification. Being able to recognize star of Bethlehem allows you to take steps to eliminate or isolate it. Key identification features include:
- Clusters of star-shaped white flowers with green dots
- Slender leaves emerging from the base of bulb
- Aggressive spreading habit
Search your yard thoroughly and remove any star of Bethlehem plants, especially before children or pets have access. Wear gloves and long sleeves when handling the plants to prevent skin irritation from the sap. Dig bulbs out fully to prevent regrowth.
When landscaping or gardening, opt for non-toxic alternatives like snowdrops or bluebells. Seek out native species to prevent invasive colonization. Group toxic ornamentals away from areas frequented by children or pets.
If you suspect poisoning, call emergency services immediately. Do not induce vomiting. Provide information about the plant and estimated amount consumed. With rapid treatment, the outlook for recovery is much better.
Being informed and vigilant is the best way to avoid the dangers of the star of Bethlehem plant. While beautiful, its aggressive and toxic nature means it should be handled with caution and kept away from areas frequented by vulnerable people and pets. Avoiding poison emergencies starts with awareness and prevention.
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Diagnosis of Star of Bethlehem Poisoning in Dogs
Your veterinarian will begin by performing a physical examination on your dog. This will allow her to assess his symptoms and note any abnormalities of his vitals. If your dog throws up while at the vet’s office, the vet will look through the vomit to see if there is any sign of what he ate.
The veterinarian will do blood work to get a general idea of how the organs are working inside the body. A complete blood count (CBC) and chemistry panel will provide the veterinarian with needed information for proper assessment. A packed cell volume (PCV) may also be performed to determine hydration status. If your vet thinks it’s necessary, she may also do a urinalysis to get a better idea of how well your pet’s kidneys are working.
In the event that your dog has some kind of arrhythmia, the vet may use x-rays to check out the heart. She may also perform an ECG or ultrasound to find where the abnormal beat is occurring. The doctor will be able to give the right medicines to fix the arrhythmia once she knows where it is happening. Take a piece of this plant with you to the vet’s office if you think or saw your dog eating it. This will allow for proper identification of the plant your dog consumed and the toxin it contains.
What is Star of Bethlehem Poisoning?
The star of Bethlehem flower is very aesthetically pleasing. This leads to many people planting it in their garden. What most people don’t know is that this flower is very poisonous and will hurt your dog if it eats it. It will grow taller than all the other flowers in your garden and become the only flower in the area. When ingested, symptoms of toxicity range from mild, such as gastrointestinal upset, to severe, such as death. If your dog ingests any part of this plant, alert your veterinarian. The sooner your dog receives veterinary care, the higher his chances of survival.
Many places have the star of Bethlehem flower as a native wildflower or as one that people planted. If this flower is ingested by your dog, it may be lethal. If he does eat this flower, you need to call your vet right away because it is a medical emergency.
Star of Bethlehem Poisoning Average Cost
From 377 quotes ranging from $500 – $8,000
Star-of-Bethlehem: Poison, Edible & Medicinal
FAQ
How poisonous is Star of Bethlehem?
What happens if you touch the Star of Bethlehem flower?
Is the Star of Bethlehem plant poisonous to dogs?
Why is Star of Bethlehem bad?
Are star of Bethlehem plants poisonous?
All parts of the Star of Bethlehem plant are toxic. The bulbs contain toxic cardiac glycosides that can cause vomiting, diarrhea, abnormal heart function, seizures, and death if ingested. Keep children and pets away from Star of Bethlehem plants. Other common names for this toxic plant include nap-at-noon and grass lily.
Is star-of-Bethlehem poisonous?
The Star-of-Bethlehem flower is not typically considered highly toxic to touch, but it is toxic if ingested. All parts of the plant contain toxic compounds, including saponins and alkaloids, which can cause symptoms such as gastrointestinal upset, vomiting, and diarrhea if consumed.
Are star of Bethlehem flowers dangerous?
Star of Bethlehem flowers are pretty for a few weeks when they’re in bloom, but they haven’t been grown in many places. When this happens, they quickly become a danger to native plant life. Star of Bethlehem flower bulbs produce a beautiful and fragrant flower that blooms in spring.
Are star of Bethlehem bulbs invasive?
Star of Bethlehem bulbs grow best in temperate conditions, preferring full-to-partial sunlight and well-draining soil. In fact, these bulbs grow so readily that they can be invasive. This plant is toxic to both people and pets. In proper conditions, star of Bethlehem bulbs grow quickly. Here are the main care requirements for star of Bethlehem:
What is a star of Bethlehem plant?
The Star-of-Bethlehem plant (Ornithogalum umbellatum) is primarily grown as an ornamental plant for its delicate white flowers and attractive foliage.
When does the Star-of-Bethlehem flower?
The Star-of-Bethlehem flowers in late April or early May. It remains dormant in the fields during winter months and completes its life cycle by the end of May. The plant is known to contain toxic glycosides (especially in the flowers/bulbs) that can cause poisoning to children or livestock that consume the plant parts.