ABSTRACT

Toxic Principle and Mechanism of Action At least 15 phenanthridine alkaloids including lycorine, have been identified in the leaves, stems, and bulbs of Eucharis.1,2 The concentrations of the alkaloids are highest in the outer layers of the bulbs. The total alkaloid concentration in the leaves and parts of the bulbs is reported as 0.5%. Phenanthridine alkaloids have been isolated from other genera of the Amaryllis family, including species of Amaryllis, Clivia, Galanthus, Hippeastrum, Haemanthus, Hymenocallis, Leucojum, Narcissus, Nerine, Sprekelia, and Zephranthes.