Star of Bethlehem
Latin Name: Ornithogalum umbellatum
Identifying Characteristics:
- Leaves are dark green, glossy to waxy, and have a light green midrib
- Flowers are star shaped
- Flowers have 6 white petals
- Leaves are hollow
- Small bulbs slightly below ground
Plant Longevity:
- Perennial
- Noticed only in early- to mid-spring
Where Commonly Found:
- Roadsides
- Pastures
- Woodlands
Time of Most Concern:
- Anytime the bulbs are brought to the surface
Compound that Causes Concern:
- Cardiac glycosides, found in foxglove, oleander, and other cardiotoxic plants
- Glycoside rhodexin A and the diglycoside rhodexoside have both been identified and may be the toxic components in this plant
Part of Plant Most Toxic:
- All parts, especially the bulbs
Livestock Species Affected:
- Cattle
- Sheep
- Horses
Pasture, Stored Feed, Both:
- Both
Clinical Signs:
- Drooling
- Diarrhea
- Breathing problems
- Heart rate reduced
Amount Needed to be Consumed for Clinical Signs / Death:
- Toxic amount of this plant or its specific cardiac glycosides is not currently known; however, other plants containing similar cardiac glycosides do have known toxic doses
- Oleander (Nerium oleander), one of the most toxic of the glycoside-containing plants and found commonly in western states, has a toxic dose of 5 g (0.18 ounces) or 2-3 leaves in sheep
- Oleander has a toxic dose of 1-20 g (0.035-0.71 ounces) of green material and 15-25 g (0.53-0.88) of dried material in cattle
- Oleander is likely more toxic than Star of Bethlehem
- Members of the dogbane family, Apocynum spp., which includes hemp dogbane (Apocynum cannabinum), also contain cardiac glycosides, and have a toxic dose of 15-30 g (0.53-0.88 ounces) of green leaves. This amount will cause death in an adult horse or cow.
Identifying Characteristics:
- Leaves are dark green, glossy to waxy, and have a light green midrib
- Flowers are star shaped
- Flowers have 6 white petals
- Leaves are hollow
- Small bulbs slightly below ground
Plant Longevity:
- Perennial
- Noticed only in early- to mid-spring
Where Commonly Found:
- Roadsides
- Pastures
- Woodlands
Time of Most Concern:
- Anytime the bulbs are brought to the surface
Compound that Causes Concern:
- Cardiac glycosides, found in foxglove, oleander, and other cardiotoxic plants
- Glycoside rhodexin A and the diglycoside rhodexoside have both been identified and may be the toxic components in this plant
Part of Plant Most Toxic:
- All parts, especially the bulbs
Livestock Species Affected:
- Cattle
- Sheep
- Horses
Pasture, Stored Feed, Both:
- Both
Clinical Signs:
- Drooling
- Diarrhea
- Breathing problems
- Heart rate reduced
Amount Needed to be Consumed for Clinical Signs / Death:
- Toxic amount of this plant or its specific cardiac glycosides is not currently known; however, other plants containing similar cardiac glycosides do have known toxic doses
- Oleander (Nerium oleander), one of the most toxic of the glycoside-containing plants and found commonly in western states, has a toxic dose of 5 g (0.18 ounces) or 2-3 leaves in sheep
- Oleander has a toxic dose of 1-20 g (0.035-0.71 ounces) of green material and 15-25 g (0.53-0.88) of dried material in cattle
- Oleander is likely more toxic than Star of Bethlehem
- Members of the dogbane family, Apocynum spp., which includes hemp dogbane (Apocynum cannabinum), also contain cardiac glycosides, and have a toxic dose of 15-30 g (0.53-0.88 ounces) of green leaves. This amount will cause death in an adult horse or cow.
https://ag.purdue.edu/btny/purdueweedscience/wp-content/uploads/2021/01/starofbethlehem2015.pdf
https://turf.purdue.edu/spring-beauty-and-star-of-bethlehem/
Beasely et al. Notes for Toxicology VB 320: A systems approach to veterinary toxicology. University of Illinois. 1994