Dreamcatcher Alpacas
Plant safety · Caution

Can Alpacas Eat Dallisgrass (ergot-infected)?

Dallisgrass (ergot-infected) (Paspalum dilatatum) — a grass. Here is what alpaca owners need to know.

Updated 2026-10-02By the Dreamcatcher Alpacas editorial team
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Use caution — it depends on the amount and the situation.

Occasional nibbles are usually tolerated, but problems occur with large amounts, certain plant stages or vulnerable animals.

Dallisgrass (ergot-infected) (Paspalum dilatatum)
Dallisgrass (ergot-infected) (Paspalum dilatatum). Photo: Didier Descouens, CC BY-SA 4.0 via Wikimedia Commons.
Status
Caution
Scientific name
Paspalum dilatatum
Family
Poaceae
Plant type
Grass
Also known as
dallisgrass
Toxic parts
Seed heads infected with Claviceps paspali ergot
Toxic compound
Tremorgenic indole-diterpenes (paspalitrems)

Why it matters

Mow pastures to remove seed heads in late summer and autumn.

Signs of dallisgrass (ergot-infected) poisoning in alpacas

  • Tremors
  • Staggering, falling
  • Hypersensitivity to noise and touch

If your alpaca ate a lot of dallisgrass (ergot-infected)

  1. Remove access and estimate how much was eaten.
  2. Watch for the signs listed above over the next 24–72 hours.
  3. Call your vet if any signs appear or if a pregnant, young or sick animal ate a large amount.
  4. Reduce the plant in your pasture and keep good forage available so alpacas aren't driven to eat it.

About the plant

Paspalum dilatatum is a species of grass known by the common name dallisgrass, Dallas grass, or sticky heads. It is native to Brazil and Argentina, but it is known throughout the world as an introduced species and at times a common weed. Its rapid growth and spreading rhizomes make it an invasive pest in some areas. It is present in the southern half of North America, southern Europe, much of Africa, Australia, New Zealand, and many tropical and subtropical areas.From Wikipedia — “Paspalum dilatatum”, licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0.

Where it grows

GBIF, the Global Biodiversity Information Facility, holds 68,560 recorded observations of Paspalum dilatatum Poir. worldwide, including 9,232 in the United States. It belongs to the Poaceae family, together with Johnsongrass, Cheatgrass, Corn Plants & Stalks, Foxtail Barley & Foxtail Grasses, Perennial Ryegrass. See the occurrence map on GBIF.

Frequently asked questions

Is dallisgrass (ergot-infected) poisonous to alpacas?
It can be. Use caution — it depends on the amount and the situation. Mow pastures to remove seed heads in late summer and autumn.
What part of dallisgrass (ergot-infected) is toxic to alpacas?
Seed heads infected with Claviceps paspali ergot.
What are the symptoms of dallisgrass (ergot-infected) poisoning?
Tremors, staggering, falling and hypersensitivity to noise and touch.
Is dried dallisgrass (ergot-infected) 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 Q3020700.