Hippobroma longiflora, also called Star of Bethlehem or madamfate,[2] is a flowering plant in the family Campanulaceae.
It is endemic to the West Indies, but has become naturalized across the American tropics and Oceania.
[3] It is notable for its concentrations of two pyridine alkaloids: lobeline and nicotine.
[4] 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.