Why does the hazard from *Ornithogalum* persist even after the foliage dries out for the season?
The toxic compounds are often stable enough to remain active in dried foliage or bulbs
A common misconception about poisonous plants is that their threat diminishes once they wither or dry out; however, this is not the case for *Ornithogalum*. The chemical compounds responsible for causing toxicity exhibit significant stability, meaning they retain their adverse effects even when the foliage has dried or the bulbs are no longer actively growing. This persistence means the dried plant material still poses a risk if it is accidentally mixed into animal feed or left accessible in leaf litter where pets might investigate or handle it, necessitating careful handling and secure disposal until the material is completely eliminated from the environment.
