Star-of-bethlehem (Ornithogalum umbellatum) is a bulbous plant belonging to the lily family. It is a popular cultivated flower which are often sold as cut flowers or ornamental garden flowers. In the United States, they have escaped cultivation and now grow naturally in the wild in many areas.
Star-of-bethlehem Toxic Components
All parts of the plant contain cardiac glycosides, primarily convallatoxin and convalloside. Cardiac glycosids (cardioactive steroids) affect the heart and will specifically disrupt the animal's heart rhythm which causes damage to multiple systems throughout the body. Ruminants need only to ingest 8 flower heads for it to be lethal. Any horse that survives poisoning will likely be left with permanent heart damage.
