Kingdom Plantae Family Campanulaceae Scientific name Hippobroma longiflora Rank Species | Order Asterales Genus Hippobroma Higher classification Hippobroma | |
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Similar Hippobroma, Ki tolod, Isotoma, Lobelioideae, Campanulaceae | ||
Hippobroma longiflora (also called Star of Bethlehem, madamfate) is a flowering plant in the Campanulaceae family. It is endemic to the West Indies, but has become naturalized across the American tropics and Oceania.
It is notable for its concentrations of two pyridine alkaloids: lobeline and nicotine. The effects of nicotine and lobeline are quite similar, with psychoactive effects at small dosages and with unpleasant effects including vomiting, muscle paralysis, and trembling at higher dosages. For this reason, H. longiflora (and its various synonyms) is often referenced for both its toxicity and its ethnobotanical uses.
When uprooting this weed, it is important to wear gloves: the sap is an irritant which can be absorbed through the skin, and a small amount of sap in the eyes can cause blindness.
