Embedded Files
Toxicity
Toxicity
Symptoms
Symptoms
Symptoms: Abdominal pain, burning and irritation of lips, throat, and tongue, convulsions, depression, diarrhea, dizziness, nausea, numbness, paralysis, paralysis of the heart, salivating, staggering, trembling, tremours, vomiting.
Duration of Symptoms: 3 hours - 1 day.
Rate of Poison: 30 - 60 minutes
Causes Death: Extremely rare (1 death reported).
Treatment: Drinking milk or water, fluid replacement, metoclopramide, rinse mouth.
Daffodils are common throughout North America. The unique form of the daffodil is appealing to gardeners, which is why daffodils are most common in public gardens. There are many different species of the daffodil, brightening up thousands of gardens across the U.S.
Photo: D. A. Wilkerson
Main Toxin
Main Toxin
Molecular structure of L-canavine (PubChem)
Lycorine
Lycorine
Lycorine is a type of phenanthridine alkaloid that has strong properties that causes severe vomiting. To do so, the lycorine compound targets the chemoreceptor zone, which is located in the medulla oblongata in the brain. This causes the stimulation of the chemoreceptor, resulting in an irritation of the gastric mucosa, which triggers the victim to vomit.
Level of Toxin: 3,100 μg/g
Impacting Dosage: 5.5 μg/g
Other Toxins and Chemical Components
Other Toxins and Chemical Components
Calcium Oxalate Crystals (Raphids)
Calcium Oxalate Crystals (Raphids)
Calcium oxalate crystals are what cause the burning sensations in the mouth and throat. These little crystals are very sharp and cause intense pain when in contact. These crystals have to have a length of 180 microns to cause dermatitis on the skin and do damage.
Level of Toxin: Concentrated in the sap.
Impacting Dosage: Unknown
Galantamine
Galantamine
Galantamine is an alkaloid that has strong properties that cause severe vomiting. To do so, the galantamine compound targets the chemoreceptor zone, which is located in the medulla oblongata in the brain. This causes the stimulation of the chemoreceptor, resulting in an irritation of the gastric mucosa, which triggers the victim to vomit.
Galantamine is also known to be an inhibitor of acetylcholinesterase, which is considered to be reversible.
Level of Toxin: 30 - 300 μg/g
Impacting Dosage: Unknown
General Information
General Information
Parts of Plant: All plants, especially the bulb
Contact Hazard: Bulbs can cause irritation.
Animals Affected: Cattle, cats, deer, dogs, horses, rabbits.
*Toxicity level low unless ingested in large quantities. Bulbs can be easily mistaken for onion bulbs.
Medicinal Value
Medicinal Value
General Information
General Information
Parts of Plant: Flowers
Properties: Allosteric, anti-cancer, antispasmodic, emetic, narcotic
Components: Galantamine
Antidote: None known
Preparation: Unknown
Historical Uses
Historical Uses
Current Uses
Current Uses
Treatments
Treatments
Myasthenia: Galantamine used as treatment.
Myopathy: Galantamine used as treatment.
Sensory and Motor Dysfunction: Galantamine used as treatment.
Location
Location
Eastern Europe: Used galantamine to treat myasthenia, myopathy, and sensory and motor dysfunction.
Russia: Used galantamine to treat myasthenia, myopathy, and sensory and motor dysfunction.
Claimed Treatments
Claimed Treatments
Alzheimers: Galantamine is known to reverse the effecets of an acetylcholinesterase inhibitor, which is responsible for the development of Alzheimers disease.
Bronchial Catarrh: Flowers used to relieve bronchial catarrh.
Depression
Dysentery: Flowers used to treat dysentery.
Epilepsy
Hysterical Affections
Location
Location
China: Ongoing study of how certain compounds can kill cancer cells.
University of Copenhagen: Depression
Edibility
Edibility
General Information
General Information
Parts of Plant: None known
Nutrients:
Vitamins: Vitamin C
Taste: Bitter
WARNING: Plant will result in stomach ailments upon ingestion.
Historical Uses
Historical Uses
Current Uses
Current Uses
Preparation Methods
Preparation Methods
None known
Preparation Methods
Preparation Methods
None known
General Facts
General Facts
Plant Facts
Plant Facts
Illustration of Daffodil by Welcome Images - Wikimedia Commons
License: Creative Commons Attribution 4.0
Family: Amaryllidaceae (Amaryllis Family)
Genus: Narcissus
Other Names: Jonquil
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Bloom Colours: Red, orange, yellow, white
Bloom Time: March - April
Type: Perennial
Height: 8 - 30 inches
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Habitat: Grasslands, moist woodlands
Origin: Europe
States: AL, AR, CA, CT, DE, DC, FL, GA, IL, IN, KY, MD, MA, ME, MI, MS, MO, NH, NJ, NY, NC, OH, OR, PA, RI, SC, TN, TX, UT, VT, VA, WA, WV, WI
Provinces: ON
Related Species
Related Species
Narcissus bulbocodium (Petticoat Daffodil)
Photo: Krzysztof Ziarnek, Kenraiz - Wikimedia Commons
License: CCSA 4.0
Narcissus cantabricus
(White Hoop-Petticoat)
Photo: Lies Van Rompaey - Wikimedia Commons
License: CCSA 4.0
Narcissus cassata
(Cassata Daffodil)
Photo: D. A. Wilkerson
Narcissus cyclamineus
('Jack Snipe')
Photo: D. A. Wilkerson
Narcissus dubius
(Dubious Daffodil)
Photo: CavallBernat - Wikimedia Commons
License: Public Domain
Narcissus incomparabilis (Nonesuch Daffodil)
Photo: Kispál Zoltán - Wikimedia Commons
License: CCSA 4.0
Narcissus jonquilla
(Jonquil)
Photo: D. A. Wilkerson
Narcissus medioluteus (Primerose Peerless)
Photo: Meneerke bloem - Wikimedia Commons
License: CCSA 3.0
Narcissus pallidulus
(Species Daffodil)
Photo: Javier martin - Wikimedia Commons
License: Public Domain
Narcissus papyraceus (Paperwhite Narcissus)
Photo: Dominicus Johannes Bergsma - Wikimedia Commons
License: CCSA 3.0
Narcissus poeticus
(Poet's Daffodil)
Photo: D. A. Wilkerson
Narcissus pseudonarcissus (Wild Daffodil)
Photo: D. A. Wilkerson
Narcissus radiiflorus
(Narrow-Leaved Narcissus)
Photo: No photographer - Wikimedia Commons
License: CCSA 3.0
Narcissus romieuxii
(Romieux Hoop Petticoat Daffodil)
Photo: KENPEI - Wikimedia Commons
License: CC 3.0
Narcissus rupicola
(Daffodil)
Photo: Javier Martin
License: Public Domain
Narcissus tahiti
(Double Daffodil)
Photo: D. A. Wilkerson
Narcissus tazetta
(Las Vegas Daffodil)
Photo: D. A. Wilkerson
Narcissus triandrus
(Angel's Tears)
Photo: D. A. Wilkerson
Other Species
Other Species
Narcissus abscissus
Narcissus elegans
Narcissus nivalis
Narcissus blanchardii
Narcissus foliosus
Narcissus primigenius
Narcissus bujei
Narcissus hedraeanthus
Narcissus scaberulus
Narcissus cavanillesii
Narcissus moleroi
Hybrids
Hybrids
Narcissus 'Beutiful Eyes'
(Jonquilla Daffodil)
Photo: D. A. Wilkerson
Narcissus 'Bridal Crown'
(Daffodil)
Photo: D. A. Wilkerson
Narcissus 'Fortissimo' (Fortissimo Daffodil)
Photo: D. A. Wilkerson
Narcissus 'Romance'
(Large-Cupped Daffodil)
Photo: D. A. Wilkerson
Narcissus 'Sailboat'
(Jonquilla Daffodil)
Photo: D. A. Wilkerson
Sources
Sources
Toxicity Section
Toxicity Section
Ageta, K., Yakushiji, H., Kosaki, Y., Obara, T., Nojima, T., Gochi, A., Naito, H., & Nakao, A. (2020). A family intoxicated by daffodil bulbs mistaken for onions. Acute Medicine & Surgery, 7(1).
Atrahimovich, D., Harris, R., Eitan, R., Cohen, M., & Khatib, S. (2021). Galantamine Quantity and Alkaloid Profile in the Bulbs of Narcissus tazetta and daffodil cultivars (Amaryllidaceae) Grown in Israel. Metabolites, 11(3), 185. https://doi.org/10.3390/metabo11030185
Barkley, T.M. (2000). Botanical Briefs: Daffodils - Narcissus L. Close Encounters with the Environment. From https://cdn.mdedge.com/files/s3fs-public/Document/September-2017/065030130.pdf
Children's Hospital of Philadelphia. (n.d.). Plants That Irritate. From https://www.chop.edu/centers-programs/poison-control-center/plants-irritate
Cook, D. (n.d.). Daffodil. From http://bioweb.uwlax.edu/bio203/s2013/cook_dani/facts.htm
Ellis, M. E. (n.d.). Daffodil Benefits - What Are Daffodils Good For. Gardening Know How. From https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/ornamental/bulbs/daffodil/what-are-daffodils-good-for.htm
Medicinal Herbs. (n.d.). Wild Daffodil. From http://www.naturalmedicinalherbs.net/herbs/n/narcissus-pseudonarcissus=wild-daffodil.php
Mekonnen, S. (n.d.). Daffodils - Beutiful but Potentially Toxic. Poison Control. From https://www.poison.org/articles/daffodils
Nelson, R. (n.d.) Are Daffodils Poisonous? - Yes, Here's The Lowdown. StoneAgeMan. From https://stoneageman.com/are-daffodils-poisonous-yes-here-is-the-lowdown/
Pet Poison Helpline. (n.d.). Daffodils. From https://www.petpoisonhelpline.com/poison/daffodil/
SF Gate Contributor. (2021). Why Are Daffodils Dangerous?. SFGate. From https://homeguides.sfgate.com/daffodils-dangerous-69188.html
The Qi. (2020). Five Non Edible Flowers!. From https://the-qi.com/blogs/journal/five-common-non-edible-flowers
Medicinal Value Section
Medicinal Value Section
Adams. C. (2020) Daffodils (Narcissus). Picture It...Chemistry. From https://chempics.wordpress.com/2020/03/01/daffodils/
Atrahimovich, D., Harris, R., Eitan, R., Cohen, M., & Khatib, S. (2021). Galantamine Quantity and Alkaloid Profile in the Bulbs of Narcissus tazetta and daffodil cultivars (Amaryllidaceae) Grown in Israel. Metabolites, 11(3), 185. https://doi.org/10.3390/metabo11030185
Ellis, M. E. (n.d.). Daffodil Benefits - What Are Daffodils Good For. Gardening Know How. From https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/ornamental/bulbs/daffodil/what-are-daffodils-good-for.htm
Medicinal Herbs. (n.d.). Wild Daffodil. From http://www.naturalmedicinalherbs.net/herbs/n/narcissus-pseudonarcissus=wild-daffodil.php
The Daffodil Society. (2013). Daffodils: Medicinal Uses. From https://thedaffodilsociety.com/2013/01/daffodils-medical-uses/
Edibility Section (Insufficient Data)
Edibility Section (Insufficient Data)
Ageta, K., Yakushiji, H., Kosaki, Y., Obara, T., Nojima, T., Gochi, A., Naito, H., & Nakao, A. (2020). A family intoxicated by daffodil bulbs mistaken for onions. Acute Medicine & Surgery, 7(1).
General Facts Section
General Facts Section
Ageta, K., Yakushiji, H., Kosaki, Y., Obara, T., Nojima, T., Gochi, A., Naito, H., & Nakao, A. (2020). A family intoxicated by daffodil bulbs mistaken for onions. Acute Medicine & Surgery, 7(1).
Cook, D. (n.d.). Daffodil. From http://bioweb.uwlax.edu/bio203/s2013/cook_dani/facts.htm
CreationWiki. (2010). Daffodil. From http://creationwiki.org/Daffodil
Medicinal Herbs. (n.d.). Wild Daffodil. From http://www.naturalmedicinalherbs.net/herbs/n/narcissus-pseudonarcissus=wild-daffodil.php
Mekonnen, S. (n.d.). Daffodils - Beutiful but Potentially Toxic. Poison Control. From https://www.poison.org/articles/daffodils
Nelson, R. (n.d.) Are Daffodils Poisonous? - Yes, Here's The Lowdown. StoneAgeMan. From https://stoneageman.com/are-daffodils-poisonous-yes-here-is-the-lowdown/
SF Gate Contributor. (2021). Why Are Daffodils Dangerous?. SFGate. From https://homeguides.sfgate.com/daffodils-dangerous-69188.html
Date of page creation: March 10, 2023
Updated page: June 6, 2024
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