Unknown Plant from Chuch fair

magpie

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Hi,
I bought a plant identical to this from the church fair labelled as "kaffa lily". I cannot find its official name on the internet. They told me it had pink flowers and was used in flower arranging. Any help please?
Many thanks

Davesnave

It's a 'Kaffir lily,' otherwise known as Schizostylis coccinea.

There are pink ones, like 'Mrs Hegarty' and 'Jennifer.'

Pink is in the eye of the beholder!

YorkiePud_3

It's also poisonous and the sap can be an irritant to the skin, so best to wear gloves when handling it just incase!

Davesnave

To be honest, there's a whole raft of plants that plant sellers label as 'irritant' and 'harmful if eaten,' in these litigious times, but in the real world, few people eat bulbs or squirt the sap of these pretty autumn flowering plants into their eyes.

YorkiePud_3

You don't have to squirt it into your eyes to get a reaction from the sap. Just by getting it on your skin (something I have done a few times) you can get one.

I would much rather warn of everything that COULD happen then the OP is wise to what is possible and can take precautions if they feel it necessary.

Davesnave

YorkiePud wrote: »

You don't have to squirt it into your eyes to get a reaction from the sap. Just by getting it on your skin (something I have done a few times) you can get one.

I would much rather warn of everything that COULD happen then the OP is wise to what is possible and can take precautions if they feel it necessary.

I think we are creating a problem with using Engish 'common or garden names' here. 'Kaffir Lily' also refers to Clivia miniata, which has the same toxins in it as narcissus and hippeastum, but in smaller amounts. It can cause dermatitis, as noted on the reasonably comprehensive list here:


http://www.plantsciences.ucdavis.edu/ce/king/PoisPlant/Tox-COM.htm

You will see that schizostylis is not on the list, but I appreciate that you were acting from the best of intentions. So am I, as I don't want to alarm OP, or anyone else. :A