Dreamcatcher Alpacas
Plant safety · Toxic

Is Locoweed Poisonous to Alpacas?

Locoweed (Astragalus & Oxytropis spp.) — a wild plant. Here is what alpaca owners need to know.

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

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

Locoweed (Astragalus & Oxytropis spp.)
Locoweed (Astragalus & Oxytropis spp.). Photo: Marko Vainu, CC BY-SA 3.0 via Wikimedia Commons.
Status
Toxic
Scientific name
Astragalus & Oxytropis spp.
Plant type
Wild plant
Also known as
Milkvetch, Crazyweed, milkvetch
Toxic parts
Whole plant; animals may become 'addicted'
Toxic compound
Swainsonine (indolizidine alkaloid)
Region
Western North America

Why it matters

Locoism has been reported in llamas. Animals that start eating locoweed seek it out, so remove affected animals from infested range.

Signs of locoweed poisoning in alpacas

  • Behavioral changes, depression, staring
  • Incoordination and exaggerated movements
  • Weight loss
  • Abortion and birth defects

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 locoweed

  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

Astragalus is a large genus of over 3,000 species of herbs and small shrubs, belonging to the legume family Fabaceae and the subfamily Faboideae. It is the largest genus of plants in terms of described species. The genus is native to temperate regions of the Northern Hemisphere. Common names include milkvetch, locoweed and goat's-thorn. Some pale-flowered vetches are similar in appearance, but they are more vine-like than Astragalus.From Wikipedia — “Astragalus (plant)”, licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0.

Frequently asked questions

Is locoweed poisonous to alpacas?
Yes. Yes — locoweed is toxic to alpacas. Locoism has been reported in llamas. Animals that start eating locoweed seek it out, so remove affected animals from infested range.
What part of locoweed is toxic to alpacas?
Whole plant; animals may become 'addicted'.
What are the symptoms of locoweed poisoning?
Behavioral changes, depression, staring, incoordination and exaggerated movements, weight loss and abortion and birth defects.
Is dried locoweed 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 Q157184.