Dreamcatcher Alpacas
Plant safety · Toxic

Is Clematis Poisonous to Alpacas?

Clematis (Clematis spp.) — a vine. Here is what alpaca owners need to know.

Updated 2026-10-02By the Dreamcatcher Alpacas editorial team
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Yes — clematis is toxic to alpacas.

Keep it out of pastures, hay and reach of fences, and never feed trimmings.

Clematis (Clematis spp.)
Clematis (Clematis spp.). Photo: Jolly Janner, Public domain via Wikimedia Commons.
Status
Toxic
Scientific name
Clematis spp.
Family
Ranunculaceae
Plant type
Vine
Also known as
Traveller's Joy, leather flower
Toxic parts
Leaves and stems
Toxic compound
Protoanemonin

Why it matters

Wild clematis (old man's beard, virgin's bower) climbs fences and hedges.

Signs of clematis poisoning in alpacas

  • Drooling and pawing at the mouth
  • Swollen lips, tongue and mouth
  • Refusing feed
  • Mild colic
  • Colic

Signs can appear within minutes (cyanide, cardiac toxins) or only after weeks of exposure (liver toxins). Many poisoned camelids are simply found dead, so prevention is everything.

What to do if your alpaca ate clematis

  1. Move the herd away and remove any remaining plant material, clippings or fallen leaves.
  2. Call your veterinarian immediately, even if the alpaca looks normal. Say what was eaten, roughly how much and when.
  3. Bring a sample or clear photo of the plant to help identification.
  4. Do not give home remedies, oils or try to make the alpaca vomit unless your vet tells you to.
  5. Keep the animal quiet, in shade or shelter, with water available. Write down the time and every symptom you see.
  6. Check every other alpaca that had access, then remove the plant permanently (including roots).

Emergency: call your veterinarian immediately. If you cannot reach them, contact an animal poison control service (in the U.S., the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center or Pet Poison Helpline; fees may apply). Bring a sample or photo of the plant.

About the plant

Clematis is a genus of about 380 species within the buttercup family, Ranunculaceae. Their garden hybrids and cultivars have been popular among gardeners, beginning with Clematis 'Jackmanii', a garden staple since 1862. More cultivars are being produced constantly, mainly of Chinese and Japanese origin.From Wikipedia — “Clematis”, licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0.

Where it grows

GBIF, the Global Biodiversity Information Facility, holds 1,027,073 recorded observations of Clematis L. worldwide, including 94,047 in the United States. It belongs to the Ranunculaceae family, together with Monkshood, Larkspur, Buttercup. See the occurrence map on GBIF.

Frequently asked questions

Is clematis poisonous to alpacas?
Yes. Yes — clematis is toxic to alpacas. Wild clematis (old man's beard, virgin's bower) climbs fences and hedges.
What part of clematis is toxic to alpacas?
Leaves and stems.
What are the symptoms of clematis poisoning?
Drooling and pawing at the mouth, swollen lips, tongue and mouth, refusing feed, mild colic and colic.
Is dried clematis safe?
Drying does not reliably make poisonous plants safe. Treat dried leaves and contaminated hay with the same caution.

Keeping pastures safe

  • Walk every paddock and fence line each season and remove toxic plants, including roots.
  • Never throw garden, hedge or lawn clippings over the fence.
  • Check pastures after storms for fallen branches (cherry, red maple).
  • Buy hay from known sources and inspect it for weeds.
  • Keep pastures well managed — hungry alpacas eat plants they would normally avoid.

Browse the full toxic plant checker, the printable list of poisonous plants and the list of safe plants.

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.

Data: plant status compiled from veterinary toxicology references (see sources); taxonomy and occurrences from GBIF; identifiers from Wikidata Q157634.