Ridderstjerne Toxic?

Updated 2026-03-06| 5 min read| 2,437 found this helpful
Hippeastrum spp.
1

All plant parts are toxic to cats, dogs, and horses, with bulbs being the most poisonous portion

2

Toxic effects are driven by lycorine and other harmful Amaryllidaceae alkaloids

3

Large ingestions can cause life-threatening neurological and cardiac complications in affected animals

FAQ

Is Ridderstjerne toxic to Humans?

No confirmed targeted human toxicity data is available, but ingestion is not recommended and may cause mild to moderate gastrointestinal discomfort (Low)

Is Ridderstjerne toxic to Cats?

Vomiting, salivation, diarrhea; large ingestions may trigger convulsions, low blood pressure, tremors, and cardiac arrhythmias (Moderate)

Is Ridderstjerne toxic to Dogs?

Vomiting, salivation, diarrhea; large ingestions may trigger convulsions, low blood pressure, tremors, and cardiac arrhythmias (Moderate)

Is Ridderstjerne toxic to Horses?

Vomiting, salivation, diarrhea; large ingestions may trigger convulsions, low blood pressure, tremors, and cardiac arrhythmias (Moderate)

Not sure which plant? Snap a photo to ID in 1 secondGet App

Toxicity Details

Humans
Low

No confirmed targeted human toxicity data is available, but ingestion is not recommended and may cause mild to moderate gastrointestinal discomfort

Cats
Moderate

Vomiting, salivation, diarrhea; large ingestions may trigger convulsions, low blood pressure, tremors, and cardiac arrhythmias

Dogs
Moderate

Vomiting, salivation, diarrhea; large ingestions may trigger convulsions, low blood pressure, tremors, and cardiac arrhythmias

Horses
Moderate

Vomiting, salivation, diarrhea; large ingestions may trigger convulsions, low blood pressure, tremors, and cardiac arrhythmias

Toxicity Snapshot

Toxic PartsAll plant parts, with bulbs having the highest toxic concentration
Exposure RouteIngestion of any plant part (especially bulbs); skin contact with bulb sap may cause mild irritation in sensitive individuals
Toxic CompoundsLycorine; Other uncharacterized Amaryllidaceae alkaloids

First Aid & Prevention

First 30 Minutes

  • • Remove all remaining plant material from the exposed individual/animal's mouth immediately
  • • Rinse skin or eyes exposed to bulb sap with cool, clean running water for 10 to 15 minutes
  • • Do not induce vomiting unless explicitly instructed to do so by a medical professional or veterinarian

Contact Vet Immediately

  • • If your cat, dog, or horse has ingested any amount of the plant, especially bulbs
  • • If any clinical signs including vomiting, diarrhea, tremors, or abnormal heart rate appear after exposure
  • • If a large quantity of plant material was consumed by any animal or human

Prevention

  • • Keep Ridderstjerne plants and discarded bulbs out of reach of pets, livestock, and young children
  • • Wear disposable gloves when handling plant bulbs to avoid contact with toxic sap
  • • Clearly label potted Ridderstjerne plants to prevent accidental ingestion by household members or caretakers

Treatment & Prognosis

  • • Activated charcoal may be administered to bind unabsorbed toxins in the gastrointestinal tract
  • • Supportive care including IV fluids, anti-emetics, and cardiac monitoring will be provided for moderate to severe cases
  • • Seizures and cardiac arrhythmias will be managed with targeted prescription medications as clinically indicated
Emergency? Open PlantFun for real-time AI guidanceGet App

Professional Toxicology

Scientific NameHippeastrum spp.
AliasesAmaryllis、Fire Lily、Lily of the Palace、Barbados Lily
Toxicity Grade
HumansLow
CatsModerate
DogsModerate
HorsesModerate
Target Organs
Gastrointestinal tractCentral nervous systemHeart
Mechanism of Action

• Toxic alkaloids including lycorine irritate the gastrointestinal mucosa, and in high doses disrupt central nervous system function and cardiac electrical activity

Other Species Risk (CliniTox)

Information from CliniTox veterinary text.

Small mammals (rabbits, guinea pigs, hamsters): Expected to be toxic, with similar gastrointestinal and neurological symptoms observed in larger domestic animals
Pet birds: Limited targeted data available, but ingestion is not recommended as the alkaloid compounds may cause adverse systemic reactions
Confusion Risk

The following plants look similar and may be confused:

True Lily Lilium spp.
Visually similar with large, showy trumpet-shaped flowers; key difference: true lilies have prominent pollen-covered anthers, and are far more toxic to cats even in very small doses
Daffodil Narcissus spp.
Both grow from bulbs and produce bright funnel-shaped spring blooms; key difference: daffodils have a distinct central trumpet-shaped corona that is absent in most Ridderstjerne varieties
Use PlantFun to scan and avoid misidentificationGet App

Related Toxic Plants

Download PlantFun App

Identify, grow and care for plants effectively!

Instant Plant ID

Take a photo to quickly identify plants.

Smart Care Reminders

Generate watering and care schedules.

Toxicity & Disease Diagnosis

Identify toxic plants and pests with treatment advice.

Download on the App Store

Data Sources

This information is for reference only and does not constitute medical advice. If ingestion or poisoning is suspected, seek medical or veterinary attention immediately.

View Full Plant Wiki
PlantFun

PlantFun

⭐ 4.9 rating · AI toxicity check

Get App