Poison Bulb

Appearance

"Crinum asiaticum" is a perennial herb which may grow 1 m tall. It has a leaf base formed pseudobulb is spherical, the upper part of the bulb is cylindrical, and the base is laterally branched, with a diameter of about 6–15 cm. Leaves lanceolate, margin undulate, apically acuminate with 1 sharp pointed, dark green, up to 1 m long, width 7–12 cm or wider; leaves 20-30 a piece. The inflorescence is umbel that has 10-24 flowers, multiple petals, aromatic. Flower stem erect, as long as the leaf, solid. Spathe is lanceolate, membranous, 6–10 cm. Bractlet liner, 3–7 cm. Perianth tube slender and straight, green white, 7–10 cm, diameter 1.5–2 mm. Corolla spider-like shaped, white, linear, revolute, attenuate, long 4.5–9 cm, wide 6–9 mm. Corolla lobes 6. Pedicel ca 0.5-2.5 cm long. Stamens 6 reddish. Filaments 4–5 cm long. Anthers liner, attenuate, ca. 1.5 cm long or more. Ovary fusiform, up to 2 cm long. Fruit an oblate capsule, green, diameter 3–5 cm. Seeds large, exotesta spongy.

Defense

The entire plant of poison bulb is toxic, especially the bulb. The whole plant contains a variety of alkaloids such as lycorine and tazettine. Eaten by mistake can cause vomiting, abdominal pain, severe diarrhea after constipation, irregular breathing, rapid pulse, rising body temperature, etc.; a great deal of misuse can cause nervous system paralysis and death.