Dreamcatcher Alpacas
Plant safety · Toxic

Is Kentucky Coffeetree Poisonous to Alpacas?

Kentucky Coffeetree (Gymnocladus dioicus) — a tree. Here is what alpaca owners need to know.

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

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

Kentucky Coffeetree (Gymnocladus dioicus)
Kentucky Coffeetree (Gymnocladus dioicus). Photo: romana klee from usa, CC BY-SA 2.0 via Wikimedia Commons.
Status
Toxic
Scientific name
Gymnocladus dioicus
Family
Fabaceae
Plant type
Tree
Toxic parts
Seeds, pods and leaves
Toxic compound
Cytisine
Region
Central and eastern U.S.

Why it matters

Large native shade tree.

Signs of Kentucky coffeetree poisoning in alpacas

  • Drooling
  • Colic
  • Weakness, incoordination

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 Kentucky coffeetree

  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

The Kentucky coffeetree, also known as American coffee berry, Kentucky mahogany, nicker tree, and stump tree, is a tree in the subfamily Caesalpinioideae of the legume family Fabaceae, native to the Midwest, Upper South, Appalachia, and small pockets of New York in the United States and Ontario in Canada. The seed may be roasted and used as a substitute for coffee beans; however, unroasted pods and seeds are toxic. The wood from the tree is used by cabinetmakers and carpenters. It is also planted as a street tree.From Wikipedia — “Kentucky coffeetree”, licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0.

Where it grows

Main range of concern: Central and eastern U.S.. GBIF, the Global Biodiversity Information Facility, holds 11,667 recorded observations of Gymnocladus dioicus (L.) K.Koch worldwide, including 10,196 in the United States. It belongs to the Fabaceae family, together with Rosary Pea, Black Locust, Coffee Senna & Sicklepod, Laburnum, Lupine. See the occurrence map on GBIF.

Frequently asked questions

Is Kentucky coffeetree poisonous to alpacas?
Yes. Yes — Kentucky coffeetree is toxic to alpacas. Large native shade tree.
What part of Kentucky coffeetree is toxic to alpacas?
Seeds, pods and leaves.
What are the symptoms of Kentucky coffeetree poisoning?
Drooling, colic and weakness, incoordination.
Is dried Kentucky coffeetree 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 Q549418.