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Variability of yellow tulp (Moraea pallida Bak.) toxicity
L D Snyman1, R A Schultz, H van den Berg
1Section of Toxicology, ARC-Onderstepoort Veterinary Institute, Private Bag X05, Onderstepoort 0110, South Africa. snyman@oranet.co.za
Journal of the South African Veterinary Association
|December 6, 2011
Summary
Yellow tulp (Moraea pallida Bak.) toxicity varies significantly across South Africa. Some plants, particularly from the Northern Cape, showed very low toxicity levels.
Area of Science:
- Botany
- Pharmacology
- Toxicology
Background:
- Moraea pallida Bak., commonly known as yellow tulp, is a plant found in South Africa.
- Cardiac glycosides, such as digoxin, are known to be present in some plant species and can cause toxicity.
Purpose of the Study:
- To assess the variability in toxicity of yellow tulp (Moraea pallida Bak.) collected from different locations in South Africa.
- To quantify the digoxin equivalent values in yellow tulp samples.
Main Methods:
- Yellow tulp samples were collected during their flowering stage from various South African sites.
- Digoxin equivalent values were determined for each sample to assess toxicity.
Main Results:
- Significant variation in digoxin equivalent values was observed across the collected yellow tulp samples.
- Samples from certain sites in the Northern Cape exhibited notably low digoxin equivalent values.
Conclusions:
- The toxicity of yellow tulp (Moraea pallida Bak.) is not uniform and varies geographically.
- Further investigation into the factors influencing yellow tulp toxicity in different regions, especially the Northern Cape, is warranted.
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