Tulip
Tulipa spp. · Liliaceae
How it looks
Tulip bears a single large cup-shaped flower per stem. Colors are highly varied, including red, yellow, pink, purple, and white, with six petals forming a clean cup. The leaves are broad, thick, and gray-green. It stands 8–16 in (20–40 cm) tall, rising from a bulb in spring.
Caution — the bulb is the most toxic part
The toxins are far more concentrated in the bulb than in the flowers or leaves. Chewing the bulb causes heavy drooling, vomiting, diarrhea, and depression.
Guide for parents
This often comes home as a spring cut flower. The bulb planted in a pot is far more dangerous than the bouquet itself. If you grow it indoors with the bulb, keep the pot away from your cat's usual paths, and remove wilted flowers and fallen petals right away. If your cat has chewed the bulb, contact your vet even if symptoms seem mild. A small nibble of flower or leaf is often fine with simple monitoring.
If ingested
Contact your nearest vet immediately
- Onset
- 2–4 hours after ingestion
- Symptoms
- Vomiting, depression, diarrhea, hypersalivation
- Action
- Go to the vet immediately if your cat eats the bulb. For small amounts of flowers or leaves, monitor at home.
Details
- Scientific name
- Tulipa spp.
- Common name
- Tulip
- Family
- Liliaceae
- Toxic parts
- All parts (especially the bulbs)
- Compounds
- Tulipalin A and B (Tulipalin A, B)
- Onset
- 2–4 hours after ingestion
- Symptoms
- Vomiting, depression, diarrhea, hypersalivation
- Action
- Go to the vet immediately if your cat eats the bulb. For small amounts of flowers or leaves, monitor at home.
- Source
- ASPCA
