Dogtooth violet

Author: Dr Marius Rademaker, Dermatologist, Hamilton, New Zealand,1999.

Common name:	Dogtooth Violet
Botanical name:	Erythronium americanum, Erythronium dens canis
Family:	Lilaceae (division Magnoliophyta, class Liliatae, order Liliopsida, family Liliaceae).
Origin:	Europe (Erythronium dens canis) and America.
Description:	A lily-like yellow flower.

Uses:	Ornamental flower.
Allergens:	Tulipalin A (alpha-methylene-gamma-butyrolactone)
Allergy:	Finger tip allergic contact dermatitis has been reported in growers and florists.
Cross reactions:	Tulip, Alstroemeria, Bomarea, Dioscorea hispida, Gagea, and Fritillaria.
Other information:	It is not a violet. Dogtooth Violet refers to the shape of the white bulb of the plant. The names adder's-tongue and trout, fawn, snow, and glacier lily are also used interchangeably for the American species.
Patch test:

Guin JD, Franks H. Fingertip dermatitis in a retail florist. Cutis 2001 Apr;67(4):328-30.
Mitchell JC, Rook A, 1979, Botanical Dermatology, Plants and Plant products injurious to the skin, Greengrass, Vancouver.
Diamond KB, Warren GR, Cardellina JH 2nd. Native American food and medicinal plants. 3. alpha-Methylene butyrolactone from Erythronium grandiflorum Pursh. J Ethnopharmacol 1985 Sep;14(1):99-101.