Plant checker
Alder
Alnus spp.SafeAlfalfa
Medicago sativaSafeAlsike Clover
Trifolium hybridumCautionAngel's Trumpet
Brugmansia spp.DeadlyAnnual (Italian) Ryegrass
Lolium multiflorumSafeApple Tree (leaves & branches)
Malus domesticaCautionArrowgrass
Triglochin maritimaToxicAsh
Fraxinus spp.SafeAutumn Crocus
Colchicum autumnaleDeadlyAutumn Olive
Elaeagnus umbellataSafeAvocado
Persea americanaToxicAzalea
Rhododendron spp. (azaleas)DeadlyBahiagrass
Paspalum notatumSafeBamboo (leaves)
Phyllostachys & Bambusa spp.SafeBeech
Fagus spp.SafeBermudagrass
Cynodon dactylonSafeBig Bluestem
Andropogon gerardiiSafeBirch
Betula spp.SafeBirdsfoot Trefoil
Lotus corniculatusSafeBittersweet Nightshade
Solanum dulcamaraToxicBlack Locust
Robinia pseudoacaciaToxicBlack Nightshade
Solanum nigrumToxicBlack Walnut
Juglans nigraCautionBlackberry & Bramble
Rubus fruticosus agg.SafeBloodroot
Sanguinaria canadensisToxicBlue Grama
Bouteloua gracilisSafeBoxwood
Buxus sempervirensToxicBracken Fern
Pteridium aquilinumToxicBuckeye & Horse Chestnut
Aesculus spp.ToxicBuckwheat
Fagopyrum esculentumCautionBurdock
Arctium spp.CautionBurning Bush & Spindle
Euonymus spp.ToxicButtercup
Ranunculus spp.CautionCanada Thistle
Cirsium arvenseCautionCanada Yew
Taxus canadensisDeadlyCastor Bean
Ricinus communisDeadlyCheatgrass
Bromus tectorumCautionCherry Laurel
Prunus laurocerasusDeadlyCherry Tree (sweet & sour cherry)
Prunus aviumToxicChickweed
Stellaria mediaSafeChicory
Cichorium intybusSafeChinaberry
Melia azedarachToxicChokecherry
Prunus virginianaDeadlyClematis
Clematis spp.ToxicCocklebur
Xanthium strumariumToxicCoffee Senna & Sicklepod
Senna occidentalis / S. obtusifoliaToxicComfrey
Symphytum officinaleCautionCommon Groundsel
Senecio vulgarisToxicCorn Plants & Stalks
Zea maysCautionCrabgrass
Digitaria spp.SafeCrimson Clover
Trifolium incarnatumCautionDaffodil
Narcissus spp.ToxicDallisgrass (ergot-infected)
Paspalum dilatatumCautionDandelion
Taraxacum officinaleSafeDaphne
Daphne spp.ToxicDeadly Nightshade
Atropa belladonnaToxicDeath Camas
Toxicoscordion venenosumDeadlyDieffenbachia
Dieffenbachia spp.ToxicDogbane
Apocynum cannabinumToxicDouglas-fir
Pseudotsuga menziesiiSafeDutchman's Breeches
Dicentra cucullariaToxicEastern Hemlock (tree)
Tsuga canadensisSafeEastern White Pine
Pinus strobusSafeElderberry
Sambucus spp.ToxicElm
Ulmus spp.SafeEnglish Ivy
Hedera helixToxicEnglish Yew
Taxus baccataDeadlyFalse Hellebore
Veratrum spp.ToxicFiddleneck
Amsinckia spp.ToxicFir & Christmas Trees
Abies spp.SafeFireweed (willowherb)
Chamaenerion angustifoliumSafeForsythia
Forsythia spp.SafeFoxglove
Digitalis purpureaDeadlyFoxtail Barley & Foxtail Grasses
Hordeum jubatum / Setaria spp.CautionGarlic
Allium sativumToxicGoldenrod
Solidago spp.SafeGrapevine (leaves)
Vitis spp.SafeGreasewood
Sarcobatus vermiculatusToxicHairy Vetch
Vicia villosaCautionHalogeton
Halogeton glomeratusToxicHawthorn
Crataegus spp.SafeHazel
Corylus avellanaSafeHellebore (Christmas Rose)
Helleborus spp.ToxicHolly
Ilex spp.ToxicHorse Nettle
Solanum carolinenseToxicHorsetail
Equisetum arvenseCautionHoundstongue
Cynoglossum officinaleToxicHyacinth
Hyacinthus orientalisToxicHydrangea
Hydrangea spp.ToxicIndiangrass
Sorghastrum nutansSafeIntermediate & Western Wheatgrass
Thinopyrum intermedium / Pascopyrum smithiiSafeIris
Iris spp.ToxicJapanese Honeysuckle
Lonicera japonicaCautionJapanese Pieris
Pieris japonicaDeadlyJapanese Yew
Taxus cuspidataDeadlyJimsonweed
Datura stramoniumToxicJohnsongrass
Sorghum halepenseToxicJuniper & Eastern Red Cedar
Juniperus spp.CautionKalanchoe
Kalanchoe spp.ToxicKentucky Bluegrass
Poa pratensisSafeKentucky Coffeetree
Gymnocladus dioicusToxicKochia
Bassia scopariaCautionKudzu
Pueraria montanaSafeLaburnum
Laburnum anagyroidesToxicLamb's Quarters
Chenopodium albumCautionLantana
Lantana camaraToxicLarkspur
Delphinium spp.ToxicLemon Balm
Melissa officinalisSafeLeucothoe
Leucothoe spp.DeadlyLilac
Syringa vulgarisSafeLily of the Valley
Convallaria majalisDeadlyLinden & Basswood
Tilia spp.SafeLittle Bluestem
Schizachyrium scopariumSafeLocoweed
Astragalus & Oxytropis spp.ToxicLupine
Lupinus spp.ToxicMayapple
Podophyllum peltatumToxicMeadow Fescue
Festuca pratensisSafeMesquite (pods)
Prosopis spp.CautionMilkweed
Asclepias spp.ToxicMint
Mentha spp.SafeMistletoe
Phoradendron spp. / Viscum albumToxicMixed Grass-Clover Pasture
Mixed swardSafeMonkshood
Aconitum spp.DeadlyMorning Glory
Ipomoea spp.CautionMountain Laurel
Kalmia latifoliaDeadlyMulberry
Morus spp.SafeNandina
Nandina domesticaToxicNarrowleaf Plantain
Plantago lanceolataSafeOak (leaves & acorns)
Quercus spp.CautionOats (forage & oat hay)
Avena sativaSafeOleander
Nerium oleanderDeadlyOnion
Allium cepaToxicOrchardgrass
Dactylis glomerataSafePacific Yew
Taxus brevifoliaDeadlyPeace Lily
Spathiphyllum spp.ToxicPeach & Nectarine Tree (leaves, pits)
Prunus persicaToxicPear Tree (leaves)
Pyrus communisSafePerennial Ryegrass
Lolium perenneCautionPhilodendron
Philodendron spp.ToxicPlum & Apricot Tree (leaves, pits)
Prunus domesticaToxicPoison Hemlock
Conium maculatumDeadlyPoison Ivy
Toxicodendron radicansCautionPokeweed
Phytolacca americanaToxicPonderosa Pine
Pinus ponderosaCautionPoplar & Aspen
Populus spp.SafePotato (plant, sprouts, green tubers)
Solanum tuberosumToxicPothos
Epipremnum aureumToxicPrivet
Ligustrum spp.ToxicPurslane
Portulaca oleraceaCautionQueen Anne's Lace
Daucus carotaCautionRaspberry
Rubus idaeusSafeRattlebox
Crotalaria spp.ToxicRayless Goldenrod
Isocoma plurifloraToxicRed Clover
Trifolium pratenseSafeRed Maple
Acer rubrumToxicRed-tip Photinia
Photinia × fraseriToxicRedroot Pigweed
Amaranthus retroflexusCautionReed Canarygrass
Phalaris arundinaceaCautionRhododendron
Rhododendron spp.DeadlyRhubarb
Rheum rhabarbarumToxicRosary Pea
Abrus precatoriusDeadlyRose & Multiflora Rose
Rosa spp.SafeRose of Sharon (Hibiscus)
Hibiscus syriacusSafeSago Palm
Cycas revolutaDeadlySainfoin
Onobrychis viciifoliaSafeSensitive Fern
Onoclea sensibilisCautionSericea Lespedeza
Lespedeza cuneataSafeSheep Laurel
Kalmia angustifoliaDeadlySilver Maple
Acer saccharinumCautionSmooth Bromegrass
Bromus inermisSafeSorghum (forage sorghum)
Sorghum bicolorCautionSow Thistle
Sonchus spp.SafeSpruce
Picea spp.SafeSt. John's Wort
Hypericum perforatumToxicStinging Nettle
Urtica dioicaCautionSudangrass
Sorghum × drummondiiCautionSugar Maple
Acer saccharumSafeSunflower
Helianthus annuusSafeSweet Clover (moldy)
Melilotus spp.CautionSwitchgrass
Panicum virgatumCautionTall Fescue (endophyte-infected)
Lolium arundinaceumCautionTansy Ragwort
Jacobaea vulgarisToxicTeff Grass
Eragrostis tefSafeTimothy Grass
Phleum pratenseSafeTobacco
Nicotiana tabacumDeadlyTomato Plant (leaves & vines)
Solanum lycopersicumToxicTulip
Tulipa spp.ToxicViper's Bugloss
Echium vulgareToxicVirginia Creeper
Parthenocissus quinquefoliaCautionWater Hemlock
Cicuta maculataDeadlyWestern Water Hemlock
Cicuta douglasiiDeadlyWhite Clover
Trifolium repensSafeWhite Snakeroot
Ageratina altissimaToxicWild Black Cherry
Prunus serotinaDeadlyWild Onion & Wild Garlic
Allium canadense / A. vinealeCautionWillow
Salix spp.SafeWisteria
Wisteria spp.ToxicYarrow
Achillea millefoliumCautionYellow Jessamine
Gelsemium sempervirensToxicYellow Oleander
Cascabela thevetiaDeadlyYellow Star-thistle
Centaurea solstitialisCaution
Alnus spp.SafeAlfalfa
Medicago sativaSafeAlsike Clover
Trifolium hybridumCautionAngel's Trumpet
Brugmansia spp.DeadlyAnnual (Italian) Ryegrass
Lolium multiflorumSafeApple Tree (leaves & branches)
Malus domesticaCautionArrowgrass
Triglochin maritimaToxicAsh
Fraxinus spp.SafeAutumn Crocus
Colchicum autumnaleDeadlyAutumn Olive
Elaeagnus umbellataSafeAvocado
Persea americanaToxicAzalea
Rhododendron spp. (azaleas)DeadlyBahiagrass
Paspalum notatumSafeBamboo (leaves)
Phyllostachys & Bambusa spp.SafeBeech
Fagus spp.SafeBermudagrass
Cynodon dactylonSafeBig Bluestem
Andropogon gerardiiSafeBirch
Betula spp.SafeBirdsfoot Trefoil
Lotus corniculatusSafeBittersweet Nightshade
Solanum dulcamaraToxicBlack Locust
Robinia pseudoacaciaToxicBlack Nightshade
Solanum nigrumToxicBlack Walnut
Juglans nigraCautionBlackberry & Bramble
Rubus fruticosus agg.SafeBloodroot
Sanguinaria canadensisToxicBlue Grama
Bouteloua gracilisSafeBoxwood
Buxus sempervirensToxicBracken Fern
Pteridium aquilinumToxicBuckeye & Horse Chestnut
Aesculus spp.ToxicBuckwheat
Fagopyrum esculentumCautionBurdock
Arctium spp.CautionBurning Bush & Spindle
Euonymus spp.ToxicButtercup
Ranunculus spp.CautionCanada Thistle
Cirsium arvenseCautionCanada Yew
Taxus canadensisDeadlyCastor Bean
Ricinus communisDeadlyCheatgrass
Bromus tectorumCautionCherry Laurel
Prunus laurocerasusDeadlyCherry Tree (sweet & sour cherry)
Prunus aviumToxicChickweed
Stellaria mediaSafeChicory
Cichorium intybusSafeChinaberry
Melia azedarachToxicChokecherry
Prunus virginianaDeadlyClematis
Clematis spp.ToxicCocklebur
Xanthium strumariumToxicCoffee Senna & Sicklepod
Senna occidentalis / S. obtusifoliaToxicComfrey
Symphytum officinaleCautionCommon Groundsel
Senecio vulgarisToxicCorn Plants & Stalks
Zea maysCautionCrabgrass
Digitaria spp.SafeCrimson Clover
Trifolium incarnatumCautionDaffodil
Narcissus spp.ToxicDallisgrass (ergot-infected)
Paspalum dilatatumCautionDandelion
Taraxacum officinaleSafeDaphne
Daphne spp.ToxicDeadly Nightshade
Atropa belladonnaToxicDeath Camas
Toxicoscordion venenosumDeadlyDieffenbachia
Dieffenbachia spp.ToxicDogbane
Apocynum cannabinumToxicDouglas-fir
Pseudotsuga menziesiiSafeDutchman's Breeches
Dicentra cucullariaToxicEastern Hemlock (tree)
Tsuga canadensisSafeEastern White Pine
Pinus strobusSafeElderberry
Sambucus spp.ToxicElm
Ulmus spp.SafeEnglish Ivy
Hedera helixToxicEnglish Yew
Taxus baccataDeadlyFalse Hellebore
Veratrum spp.ToxicFiddleneck
Amsinckia spp.ToxicFir & Christmas Trees
Abies spp.SafeFireweed (willowherb)
Chamaenerion angustifoliumSafeForsythia
Forsythia spp.SafeFoxglove
Digitalis purpureaDeadlyFoxtail Barley & Foxtail Grasses
Hordeum jubatum / Setaria spp.CautionGarlic
Allium sativumToxicGoldenrod
Solidago spp.SafeGrapevine (leaves)
Vitis spp.SafeGreasewood
Sarcobatus vermiculatusToxicHairy Vetch
Vicia villosaCautionHalogeton
Halogeton glomeratusToxicHawthorn
Crataegus spp.SafeHazel
Corylus avellanaSafeHellebore (Christmas Rose)
Helleborus spp.ToxicHolly
Ilex spp.ToxicHorse Nettle
Solanum carolinenseToxicHorsetail
Equisetum arvenseCautionHoundstongue
Cynoglossum officinaleToxicHyacinth
Hyacinthus orientalisToxicHydrangea
Hydrangea spp.ToxicIndiangrass
Sorghastrum nutansSafeIntermediate & Western Wheatgrass
Thinopyrum intermedium / Pascopyrum smithiiSafeIris
Iris spp.ToxicJapanese Honeysuckle
Lonicera japonicaCautionJapanese Pieris
Pieris japonicaDeadlyJapanese Yew
Taxus cuspidataDeadlyJimsonweed
Datura stramoniumToxicJohnsongrass
Sorghum halepenseToxicJuniper & Eastern Red Cedar
Juniperus spp.CautionKalanchoe
Kalanchoe spp.ToxicKentucky Bluegrass
Poa pratensisSafeKentucky Coffeetree
Gymnocladus dioicusToxicKochia
Bassia scopariaCautionKudzu
Pueraria montanaSafeLaburnum
Laburnum anagyroidesToxicLamb's Quarters
Chenopodium albumCautionLantana
Lantana camaraToxicLarkspur
Delphinium spp.ToxicLemon Balm
Melissa officinalisSafeLeucothoe
Leucothoe spp.DeadlyLilac
Syringa vulgarisSafeLily of the Valley
Convallaria majalisDeadlyLinden & Basswood
Tilia spp.SafeLittle Bluestem
Schizachyrium scopariumSafeLocoweed
Astragalus & Oxytropis spp.ToxicLupine
Lupinus spp.ToxicMayapple
Podophyllum peltatumToxicMeadow Fescue
Festuca pratensisSafeMesquite (pods)
Prosopis spp.CautionMilkweed
Asclepias spp.ToxicMint
Mentha spp.SafeMistletoe
Phoradendron spp. / Viscum albumToxicMixed Grass-Clover Pasture
Mixed swardSafeMonkshood
Aconitum spp.DeadlyMorning Glory
Ipomoea spp.CautionMountain Laurel
Kalmia latifoliaDeadlyMulberry
Morus spp.SafeNandina
Nandina domesticaToxicNarrowleaf Plantain
Plantago lanceolataSafeOak (leaves & acorns)
Quercus spp.CautionOats (forage & oat hay)
Avena sativaSafeOleander
Nerium oleanderDeadlyOnion
Allium cepaToxicOrchardgrass
Dactylis glomerataSafePacific Yew
Taxus brevifoliaDeadlyPeace Lily
Spathiphyllum spp.ToxicPeach & Nectarine Tree (leaves, pits)
Prunus persicaToxicPear Tree (leaves)
Pyrus communisSafePerennial Ryegrass
Lolium perenneCautionPhilodendron
Philodendron spp.ToxicPlum & Apricot Tree (leaves, pits)
Prunus domesticaToxicPoison Hemlock
Conium maculatumDeadlyPoison Ivy
Toxicodendron radicansCautionPokeweed
Phytolacca americanaToxicPonderosa Pine
Pinus ponderosaCautionPoplar & Aspen
Populus spp.SafePotato (plant, sprouts, green tubers)
Solanum tuberosumToxicPothos
Epipremnum aureumToxicPrivet
Ligustrum spp.ToxicPurslane
Portulaca oleraceaCautionQueen Anne's Lace
Daucus carotaCautionRaspberry
Rubus idaeusSafeRattlebox
Crotalaria spp.ToxicRayless Goldenrod
Isocoma plurifloraToxicRed Clover
Trifolium pratenseSafeRed Maple
Acer rubrumToxicRed-tip Photinia
Photinia × fraseriToxicRedroot Pigweed
Amaranthus retroflexusCautionReed Canarygrass
Phalaris arundinaceaCautionRhododendron
Rhododendron spp.DeadlyRhubarb
Rheum rhabarbarumToxicRosary Pea
Abrus precatoriusDeadlyRose & Multiflora Rose
Rosa spp.SafeRose of Sharon (Hibiscus)
Hibiscus syriacusSafeSago Palm
Cycas revolutaDeadlySainfoin
Onobrychis viciifoliaSafeSensitive Fern
Onoclea sensibilisCautionSericea Lespedeza
Lespedeza cuneataSafeSheep Laurel
Kalmia angustifoliaDeadlySilver Maple
Acer saccharinumCautionSmooth Bromegrass
Bromus inermisSafeSorghum (forage sorghum)
Sorghum bicolorCautionSow Thistle
Sonchus spp.SafeSpruce
Picea spp.SafeSt. John's Wort
Hypericum perforatumToxicStinging Nettle
Urtica dioicaCautionSudangrass
Sorghum × drummondiiCautionSugar Maple
Acer saccharumSafeSunflower
Helianthus annuusSafeSweet Clover (moldy)
Melilotus spp.CautionSwitchgrass
Panicum virgatumCautionTall Fescue (endophyte-infected)
Lolium arundinaceumCautionTansy Ragwort
Jacobaea vulgarisToxicTeff Grass
Eragrostis tefSafeTimothy Grass
Phleum pratenseSafeTobacco
Nicotiana tabacumDeadlyTomato Plant (leaves & vines)
Solanum lycopersicumToxicTulip
Tulipa spp.ToxicViper's Bugloss
Echium vulgareToxicVirginia Creeper
Parthenocissus quinquefoliaCautionWater Hemlock
Cicuta maculataDeadlyWestern Water Hemlock
Cicuta douglasiiDeadlyWhite Clover
Trifolium repensSafeWhite Snakeroot
Ageratina altissimaToxicWild Black Cherry
Prunus serotinaDeadlyWild Onion & Wild Garlic
Allium canadense / A. vinealeCautionWillow
Salix spp.SafeWisteria
Wisteria spp.ToxicYarrow
Achillea millefoliumCautionYellow Jessamine
Gelsemium sempervirensToxicYellow Oleander
Cascabela thevetiaDeadlyYellow Star-thistle
Centaurea solstitialisCaution
The deadliest plants for alpacas
These plants can kill an alpaca within hours, often before any signs are noticed. Make sure none grow within neck-reach of your fences.
Angel's Trumpet
All parts
Autumn Crocus
All parts, including corms
Azalea
Leaves, flowers and nectar
Canada Yew
Needles, bark and seeds
Castor Bean
Seeds (chewed), less so leaves
Cherry Laurel
Leaves, seeds; crushed or wilted leaves release cyanide
Chokecherry
Leaves (wilted especially), twigs, seeds
Death Camas
Whole plant, especially bulbs
English Yew
All parts except the fleshy red aril; needles and seeds are the most toxic, and clippings
Foxglove
All parts, fresh or dried
Japanese Pieris
Leaves and flowers
Japanese Yew
Needles, bark and seeds (fresh or dried)
Browse by plant type
5 steps to a poison-safe pasture
- Walk every paddock and both sides of each fence line and identify every shrub and tree within reach.
- Remove deadly ornamentals (yew, oleander, rhododendron, pieris, laurels) or fence them well out of reach.
- Ask neighbors never to dump hedge or garden clippings over the fence.
- After storms, clear fallen branches of cherry, plum and red maple before the leaves wilt.
- Inspect hay for weeds like ragwort, hemlock and nightshade, and keep pastures healthy so animals aren't hungry.
Frequently asked questions
What is the most poisonous plant for alpacas?
Yew (English, Japanese and other Taxus species) causes more sudden deaths in camelids than any other plant; a few mouthfuls can kill. Oleander, rhododendron and azalea, mountain laurel, Japanese pieris, water hemlock and wilted wild cherry leaves are also among the deadliest.
Do alpacas know not to eat poisonous plants?
Alpacas are selective grazers and usually avoid bitter toxic plants when good forage is available. Poisonings happen when animals are hungry, bored, offered clippings, or when toxic plants are dried into hay.
Are rhododendrons poisonous to alpacas?
Yes. Rhododendrons and azaleas contain grayanotoxins, and camelids are particularly sensitive. See our rhododendron page.
What trees are safe for alpacas?
Willow, poplar, mulberry, birch, hazel, linden, elm, ash, alder, hawthorn, sugar maple and fruit trees like pear are commonly browsed safely. Avoid yew, wild cherry and other Prunus, red maple, black locust, buckeye and oak in quantity.
This page is educational and does not replace advice from a veterinarian who has examined your animals. Camelid medicine uses many drugs “extra-label”, so dosing must come from your vet. In an emergency, call your vet first. Read our disclaimer · How we write and review content.