Dreamcatcher Alpacas
Plant safety · Deadly

Is Leucothoe Poisonous to Alpacas?

Leucothoe (Leucothoe 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 — leucothoe is highly poisonous. Small amounts can kill.

Keep alpacas completely away from this plant, including clippings and fallen leaves.

Leucothoe (Leucothoe spp.)
Leucothoe (Leucothoe spp.). Photo: KENPEI, CC BY-SA 3.0 via Wikimedia Commons.
Status
Deadly
Scientific name
Leucothoe spp.
Plant type
Shrub
Also known as
Doghobble, Fetterbush, doghobble
Toxic parts
Leaves and flowers
Toxic compound
Grayanotoxins

Why it matters

A shade-garden evergreen related to pieris and rhododendron.

Signs of leucothoe poisoning in alpacas

  • Green, foamy regurgitation or drooling
  • Repeated attempts to vomit (unusual in camelids)
  • Colic, teeth grinding
  • Weakness, staggering, lying down
  • Slow heart rate, low blood pressure
  • Death in severe cases

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 leucothoe

  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

Leucothoe is a genus of about 6 species of flowering plants in the family Ericaceae, native to Asia and the Americas. Many species have the common name doghobble. Leucothoe species contain grayanotoxins, a group of closely related neurotoxins named after Leucothoe grayana, native to Japan.From Wikipedia — “Leucothoe (plant)”, licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0.

Frequently asked questions

Is leucothoe poisonous to alpacas?
Yes. Yes — leucothoe is highly poisonous. Small amounts can kill. A shade-garden evergreen related to pieris and rhododendron.
What part of leucothoe is toxic to alpacas?
Leaves and flowers.
What are the symptoms of leucothoe poisoning?
Green, foamy regurgitation or drooling, repeated attempts to vomit (unusual in camelids), colic, teeth grinding, weakness, staggering, lying down, slow heart rate, low blood pressure and death in severe cases.
Is dried leucothoe 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 Q1506945.