Plants and Mushrooms
Agapanthus
| Common name |
|
Agapanthus |
| Botanical name |
|
Agapanthus species (most common species A. africanus, A. praecox subsp. orientalis, Agapanthus hybrid cultivars |
| Other common names |
|
African lily, blue African lily, blue lily |
| Family |
|
Alliaceae |
| General description |
|
An ornamental clumping perennial to 50cm, popular as a garden or pot plant. |
| Flowers |
|
The flowers are deep blue fading to purple, sometimes white, bell-shaped and clustered together in a large mass at the top of a long erect stem to 1m arising from the clusters of leaves. |
| Leaves |
|
The leaves are strap-like, 30-70cm long and up to 1.5cm wide, glossy green to dark green and somewhat fleshy. |
| Fruit/Berries |
|
- |
| Other |
|
All parts of the plant are poisonous, especially the rhizome or root, leaves and sap. |
| Symptoms |
|
Symptoms may include nausea vomiting, abdominal pain and diarrhoea if ingested, with severe ulceration of the mouth from the clear sticky sap.
Skin contact with the sap may cause a burning sensation, skin irritation and rashes. |
| Toxicity category |
|
2, 3 |
| Warning |
|
Seek medical attention for all ingestions. |
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