The Barbados lily contains alkaloids including lycorine which is used in a controlled environment for medicinal purposes but is toxic, especially to cats, and can cause severe gastrointestinal symptoms and cardiac symptoms. The most poisonous part of the plant is the bulbs. Cats are especially prone to toxicity from plants because they do not have some of the liver enzymes available to break down toxins that are found in other animals. This may be because cats are meat eaters that have not developed the liver enzymes required to break down plant compounds. If your cat has had access to a Barbados lilies or their bulbs and develops symptoms of poisoning, contact your veterinarian immediately.
Barbados lily, scientific name, Hippeastrum puniceum, also goes by the common names amaryllis lily, fire lily, lily of the palace, Easter lily and cocoa lily. It is a bulbous perennial native to Mexico, Central America, and South America, but is commonly grown for its ornamental and medicinal value in other locations. Barbados lily produces trumpet-like flowers that are usually red or orange but can be a variety of colors, including pink and white. They require a tropical or subtropical environment if cultivated in the garden, but may be kept as a house plant in cooler regions.