Help! My toddler has eaten a crocus flower!

[Onlyinanemergency]

Just that really, does anyone know if this is likely to be dangerous? I'm waiting for a call back from GP. He seems fine, but I can't find much by googling. Other than a lot of terrifying information about a different plant called an autumn crocus!

Says here spring crocuses are non toxic.

Beware she will bloom next spring also!!
Sorry no help...

Thanks Nico. I feel much better now.

Don't stress! Despite the name, (toxic) autumn crocuses and (non-toxic) spring crocuses are from completely different plant families, they have nothing to do with each other. In fact, saffron comes from crocuses. Autumn crocuses are part of the lily family.

GP just called back and said crocus are toxic and have colchicine in them. But that's autumn crocus isn't it? He's gone away to find out what to do next- felt like saying he should check Mumsnet!

Well he may have contacted the National poison information unit which should have better info than me. Or consulted toxbase.

Or he may have got his crocuses muddled up.

Okay, now I'm worried again!

owlcation.com/stem/Crocus-Beautiful-Flowers-Saffron-Spice-and-Colchicine

Autumn crocuses are actually lilies and have colchicine, doesn't look like spring ones do. Can you ring 111?

So yes I think he has his crocuses muddled up.

The poisons information unit webpage says that members of the public with concerns should ring 111 for advice and that 111 will consult toxbase for info.

I understand your stress OP. DD ate a (non toxic) flower last year and I could only stop worrying about it after a couple of days had passed with no effect.

I hope the doctor has just got his crocuses confused!

The thing is, he seems absolutely fine! I think I'll wait for the doctor to ring back because I'm pretty sure it is a mix up and he'll ring back with good news. It's just a bit of a worry.

He's wrong, it is autumn crocuses (genus colchicum) that have colchicine, hence the name (I'm a former plant scientist). He needs to go back to wherever he got that advice and clarify that it is a spring crocus (genus crocus).

If you post a photo, I will confirm the identity of the plant.

Oh god, they've just called back and told me to take him to A&E!

Take the flower with you so they can correctly identify it!!!!!

A spring crocus has 3 stamens, autumn crocus has 6.

Oh no! Make the spring crocus/autumn crocus thing clear at A&E, hope he's ok

Just to add that the stamens in spring crocuses are what is sold as 'saffron' in shops - i do not know about the petals, but certainly that part of the flower is safe and non-toxic.

She can't take the flower; her child has eaten it.

@eddiemairswife I was assuming that there was probably more than one but I wasn't clear - even just the leaf or the bulb will help.

Yes, there are more. It was from my own garden. I hadn't thought of bringing the flower - that's an excellent idea.

Definitely 3 stamens.

How are things going?

They were really nice at A&E. DS is absolutely fine and GP had just got his crocuses mixed up! They checked their poisons database and sent us home. Thanks to everyone for your help.