Beautiful But Can Be Deadly
Posted by terrepruitt on August 19, 2014
I love Stargazers. They are so beautiful and fragrant. I put up a short post about them once in 2009. There is a picture. It seems that the most recent ones we have gotten have not been as pink. They are very pale. And they do not have that strong intoxicating fragrance. We used to have them all the time in the house. Then I heard that they were toxic to cats, so we stopped buying them. We had some recently . . . I do love them.
I was looking at the information on Wiki hoping to share more information than in my first post. There was not a lot of information. The most interesting fact was that they were created in California in 1974. A lily breeder created them. Wow. What a cool thing to have done. Created one of the most popular flowers. If you Google her name a lot of lilies show up. So I am thinking that some are named Leslie Woodriff. The pictures I saw were of “drooping” lillies. I have not seen stargazer droop like that. Click here to see what I mean.
Wiki said the cats are the only animals poisoned by star gazers. About.com had more information about toxicity in cats. The article said the flower itself is the most toxic but ANY part of the plant, if ingested by a feline, can cause problems. Information directly from the article:
The first signs seen are:
• vomiting
• lethargy
• loss of appetite
• tremors
• seizures
Kidney (renal) failure usually follows, and the signs seen are:
• increased thirst
• increased urination initially, followed by lowered urine output, and finally, no urine output
• dehydration
• death
Kidney failure occurs as early as 36 – 72 hours after ingestion.
The article states in addition that treatment is aggressive and can be successful if administered within the first 18 hours. Wow.
Our cat was not one to climb up on things all the time. Yeah, she did it, but not all the time. She didn’t get into a lot of things. But once we learned they were poisonous to cat’s we didn’t buy them any more.
Also, if you have ever had these types of lilies you might have experienced staining from the anther, the orange pill shaped thing that is on the end of the stamen and is powdery to the touch. I had thought these lilies were older than 1974 and was convinced that ancient civilizations used them to dye things. That stuff stains no matter what it touches. Just a little powder from one of those things can make a huge stain. My husband and I are very diligent in pulling them off and throwing away before they can dust the surface below the vase with any powder or worse yet, fall onto the surface. If powder does happen to get onto something VACUUM it up or use a DRY cloth. If any amount of moisture touches that powder it has even MORE staining power. Any of you know what I am talking about when it comes to those things? Incredible.
So do you like these flowers? Do you love the smell? What type of flower do you like?
Terre Pruitt's Blog 
Lisa said
These are my favorite flowers. They were in my wedding, people bought them for me when I was in the hospital and I have them growing all over my yard. Great post. 🙂
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terrepruitt said
You have them growing? Oooooooooo! Wow. Do they just grow wild? I mean . . . . I am thinking you are not out there gardening . . . right?
Thanks for reading and commenting. Do you ever just start writing/typing and end up at a different place than your vague idea? I didn’t really even mean to get into the cat stuff . . . .but there was less information regarding the flowers (in my quick search) than I anticipated so I ended up talking toxic!
PS You are in my thoughts and prayers!
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Lisa said
Well. I’m doing much better, but I planted them from bulbs two years ago. I saw them somewhere that I just can’t recall now and I snatched them up and it took them two years to bloom. This is the first time they have bloomed since I planted them.
I have pruned the roses a few times and pulled a few weeds, but I’m not overdoing it.
And, yes I often end up writing something completely different than my original thought. On my long form writing I do make a basic outline though. (Like short story to novel length) and adapt it from there. I think writing “by the seat of your pants” is the best way for many of us.
Thank you so much for the prayers. I definitely need them.
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terrepruitt said
Ahhhh, so you planted them. So funny that all this “gardening stuff” is coming up (for me). As in, yesterday I was talking to two of my students about gardening. We were talking about how it is so great! It can help with (what we in Nia call BMES) Body, Mind, Emotion, and Spirit. If you like to garden it can help lift your spirits and make you feel happy. Especially if there are “fruits” of your labor, such as flowers, veggies, or fruits. And it is a good workout. That is why I was thinking you were not out doing it. But I am giddy to hear that you are out doing it. And that you are not OVER doing it. Yay you! Good for you to move . . . . again . . . good for the BMES!
Writing is . . . . well, a lot of things. With my blog, I have a self imposed schedule (in hopes that consistency will encourage readers), so sometimes writing is a challenge. Those “seat of your pants” posts are often surprising to me. It’s almost like, “What? Where did THAT come from?” as I am writing it. 🙂
And . . . prayers . . . we probably all need them. 🙂
(Thanks for the chat. I am enjoying it!)
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Lisa said
Gardening is one of the only times that I can just lose myself. I have loved it since I was a child. I was actually in the hospital for 40 days and my muscles atrophied. It scared me to death. I’ve always been very active. So, now since that was taken away from me, I just make it part of my day everyday to work my muscles. I know when I need to up my limit because I get restless.
Ah, writing. Yes. I often read over what I’ve written and say, “Wow! Did that come from me?” Or, ” Oh no! Did I just publish that?!” LOL
I will definitely keep you in my prayers as well. The chat is lovely. Thank you 🙂
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terrepruitt said
Ahhh, see? If you love it, it is so good for ALL of you! I am not a gardener. I am so allergic! And I had read you were in the hospital for 40 days. I didn’t even think about that (muscle atrophy). I am used to the medical staff “making” the patient walk as often as possible. Good for you for getting back to moving. Muscles can “come back” easier than initial gaining. So hopefully you can get “it” back.
Ha, ha, ha. I don’t usually find myself exclaiming excitedly over something I’ve written. The “Oh no!” made me laugh. I haven’t quite had the “Oh no!” moments, but I have had the “Uh-oh! What are they going to think? Should I have not shared that.”
I just looked outside in my yard to see if I had a rose to share with you. Nope. No roses. I’ll keep an eye out for one to snap a picture of to share.
Ahhh . . . . and my little cat . . . still giving . . . . a new blog friend.
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Lisa said
I didn’t know that they come back easier. That’s good to know. I haven’t has any problems so far though.
I’m glad I made you laugh, since I made you cry the other day. 😉
Our kitties did unite us 🙂
Thank you for the conversation. I truly appreciate it and look forward to future ones. 🙂
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terrepruitt said
Yeah, so keep at it. The greater the loss the longer it will take, but it is quicker than from scratch. 🙂
Awww. You didn’t make me cry, I was already crying . . . . I just cried for you, too, when I read your post. I was sad and crying and looking for blogs with pets and yours popped up. I am “tender” right now with the deaths that have occurred this year in my family.
Cheers to the cats! ~And thank you, too!
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Lisa said
Hugs 🙂
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kevinashton said
Not sure why but lillies always give me a headache so although I love flowers these I avoid like the plague, maybe I’m part cat?
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terrepruitt said
Maybe your are part cat? Or perhaps they just have a really strong smell that affects you. I LOVE them.
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