Dreamcatcher Alpacas
Plant safety · Toxic

Is Daphne Poisonous to Alpacas?

Daphne (Daphne spp.) — a shrub. Here is what alpaca owners need to know.

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

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

Daphne (Daphne spp.)
Daphne (Daphne spp.). Photo: Burkhard Mücke, CC BY-SA 4.0 via Wikimedia Commons.
Status
Toxic
Scientific name
Daphne spp.
Plant type
Shrub
Toxic parts
Bark, berries and leaves
Toxic compound
Daphnin, mezerein

Signs of daphne poisoning in alpacas

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

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 daphne

  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

Daphne is a genus of between 70 and 95 species of deciduous and evergreen shrubs in the family Thymelaeaceae, native to Asia, Europe and north Africa. They are noted for their scented flowers and often brightly coloured berries. Two species are used to make paper. Many species are grown in gardens as ornamental plants; the smaller species are often used in rock gardens. All parts of daphnes are poisonous for humans, especially the berries, though birds eat these freely to disperse the seeds.From Wikipedia — “Daphne (plant)”, licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0.

Frequently asked questions

Is daphne poisonous to alpacas?
Yes. Yes — daphne is toxic to alpacas. Keep it out of pastures, hay and reach of fences, and never feed trimmings.
What part of daphne is toxic to alpacas?
Bark, berries and leaves.
What are the symptoms of daphne poisoning?
Drooling and pawing at the mouth, swollen lips, tongue and mouth, refusing feed, mild colic and bloody diarrhea.
Is dried daphne 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 Q122990.