Daffodils - Beautiful but Potentially Toxic
The Bottom Line
All parts of the daffodil are toxic. When swallowed, it can cause nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, and abdominal pain. Eating the bulb can cause severe irritation of the mouth and stomach upset. These symptoms are usually not life threatening and resolve within a few hours.
The Full Story
Eating daffodils isn't as far-fetched as it sounds. Children will go for this first bright spot of color after a cold, gray winter. Adults have mistaken daffodil bulbs for onions.
Daffodil is a common name for a family of plants called Narcissus. Daffodils are bright and fragrant flowers that bloom in the spring. Daffodils leaves are long and flat and the blossoms — six petals and trumpet in the middle — are bright yellow or white. The daffodil has a bulb that grows underground and looks like an onion, which is why the two can be mistaken for each other. However, the daffodil bulb does not have the classic onion odor and does not cause tearing.
All parts of the daffodil contain a toxic chemical, lycorine. The part of the plant that contains the highest concentration of lycorine is the bulb. However, eating any part of the plant can cause symptoms such as nausea, vomiting, abdominal pain, and diarrhea. These symptoms usually last about 3 hours. More severe problems such as low blood pressure, drowsiness, and damage to the liver have been reported in animals that ate very large amounts of the plant but have never been reported in humans.
The bulb also contains chemicals called oxalates, which are microscopic and needle-like. When swallowed, oxalates cause severe burning and irritation of the lips, tongue, and throat. They can also cause skin irritation.
Usually, the only treatment required is rinsing the mouth well and drinking water or milk. If vomiting and diarrhea persist, watch for dehydration. If a person is having severe throat pain, difficulty swallowing, or drooling, medical evaluation and treatment is needed.
Avoid growing or displaying daffodils where small children or pets live or play. Keep them out of reach and sight. Watch children closely when they play outdoors to prevent them from eating unknown plants or berries. Finally, don’t be tempted to pick your own onions unless you are an expert.
Serkalem Mekonnen, RN, BSN, MPH
Certified Specialist in Poison Information
Poisoned?
Call 1-800-222-1222 or
Prevention Tips
- Keep daffodils out of the sight and reach of small children or pets.
- Watch children closely when they play outdoors to keep them from eating unknown plants, mushrooms, or berries.
- Don’t pick plants or mushrooms growing in the wild to eat (unless you are an expert).
This Really Happened
On a beautiful day in April, a 4-year-old girl ate two daffodil leaves. Twenty minutes later, she began to vomit. Her concerned mother called Poison Control for advice.
The child vomited four times. Poison Control told the mother that vomiting is expected after swallowing any part of the daffodil, and that the concern would be if symptoms persist or worsen. The mother was advised to give the child fluids to drink and to watch her closely.
Poison Control called the mother 2 hours later. The child had stopped vomiting, was drinking fluids, and was symptom free.
For More Information
Poisonous and Non-Poisonous Plants: An Illustrated List
Skin Problems from Outdoor Plants (The Poison Post®)
True Stories for Spingtime (The Poison Post®)
References
Litovitz TL, Fahey BA. Please don’t eat the daffodils. N Engl J Med. 1982;306(9):547.
Poisoned?
Call 1-800-222-1222 or
Prevention Tips
- Keep daffodils out of the sight and reach of small children or pets.
- Watch children closely when they play outdoors to keep them from eating unknown plants, mushrooms, or berries.
- Don’t pick plants or mushrooms growing in the wild to eat (unless you are an expert).
This Really Happened
On a beautiful day in April, a 4-year-old girl ate two daffodil leaves. Twenty minutes later, she began to vomit. Her concerned mother called Poison Control for advice.
The child vomited four times. Poison Control told the mother that vomiting is expected after swallowing any part of the daffodil, and that the concern would be if symptoms persist or worsen. The mother was advised to give the child fluids to drink and to watch her closely.
Poison Control called the mother 2 hours later. The child had stopped vomiting, was drinking fluids, and was symptom free.