Dreamcatcher Alpacas
Plant safety · Caution

Can Alpacas Eat Morning Glory?

Morning Glory (Ipomoea spp.) — a vine. 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.

Morning Glory (Ipomoea spp.)
Morning Glory (Ipomoea spp.). Photo: Eric Guinther, CC BY-SA 3.0 via Wikimedia Commons.
Status
Caution
Scientific name
Ipomoea spp.
Family
Convolvulaceae
Plant type
Vine
Also known as
morning-glory
Toxic parts
Seeds (some species)
Toxic compound
Ergoline (lysergic acid) alkaloids

Why it matters

Foliage of common morning glory is usually browsed without problems; seeds of ornamental species contain hallucinogenic alkaloids.

Signs of morning glory poisoning in alpacas

  • Incoordination
  • Diarrhea

If your alpaca ate a lot of morning glory

  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

Ipomoea is the largest genus in the plant family Convolvulaceae, with over 600 species. It is a large and diverse group, with common names including morning glory, water Convolvulus or water spinach, sweet potato, bindweed, moonflower, etc. The genus occurs throughout the tropical and subtropical regions of the world, and comprises annual and perennial herbaceous plants, lianas, shrubs, and small trees; most of the species are twining climbing plants.From Wikipedia — “Ipomoea”, licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0.

Where it grows

GBIF, the Global Biodiversity Information Facility, holds 583,080 recorded observations of Ipomoea L. worldwide, including 116,746 in the United States. It belongs to the Convolvulaceae family. See the occurrence map on GBIF.

Frequently asked questions

Is morning glory poisonous to alpacas?
It can be. Use caution — it depends on the amount and the situation. Foliage of common morning glory is usually browsed without problems; seeds of ornamental species contain hallucinogenic alkaloids.
What part of morning glory is toxic to alpacas?
Seeds (some species).
What are the symptoms of morning glory poisoning?
Incoordination and diarrhea.
Is dried morning glory 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 Q161173.