Cyclamen-Cyclamen persicum Mill.-Poisonous plant

Cyclamen

General poisoning notes:

Cyclamen (Cyclamen persicum) is a houseplant that has a toxic saponin, cyclamin, in the tuberous rhizomes. The rhizome is bitter and found underground, so that children or family pets are unlikely to be exposed to the toxins. There is no information on the amounts of saponins, if any, in cyclamen foliage (Spoerke et al. 1987).

Nomenclature:

Scientific Name: Cyclamen persicum Mill.

Vernacular name(s): cyclamen

Scientific family name: Primulaceae

Vernacular family name: primrose

Cyclamen persicum Mill.

Geographic Information

Plant or plant parts used in or around the home.

Notes on Poisonous plant parts:

The tuberous rhizomes contain the chemical cyclamin. However, these rhizomes are in the soil and have an acrid taste, so that ingestion by children is not likely (Spoerke et al. 1987). Cyclamin is a triterpenoid saponin, which is an irritant that can cause nausea and even paralysis upon absorbtion. The chemical is not volatile, but it is water soluble and can occur as small white crystals or an amorphous, lusterless mass (Spoerke et al. 1987).

Toxic parts:

Rhizome, tubers.

Notes on Toxic plant chemicals:

The tuberous rhizomes contain the chemical cyclamin. However, these rhizomes are in the soil and have an acrid taste, so that ingestion by children is not likely (Spoerke et al. 1987). Cyclamin is a triterpenoid saponin, which is an irritant that can cause nausea and even paralysis upon absorbtion. The chemical is not volatile, but it is water soluble and can occur as small white crystals or an amorphous, lusterless mass (Spoerke et al. 1987).

Toxic plant chemicals:

cyclamin
unknown chemical

Animals/Human Poisoning:

Note: When an animal is listed without additional information, the literature (as of 1993) contained no detailed explanation.

Humans