Dreamcatcher Alpacas
Plant safety · Deadly

Is Sago Palm Poisonous to Alpacas?

Sago Palm (Cycas revoluta) — a ornamental. Here is what alpaca owners need to know.

Updated 2026-10-02By the Dreamcatcher Alpacas editorial team
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Yes — sago palm is highly poisonous. Small amounts can kill.

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

Sago Palm (Cycas revoluta)
Sago Palm (Cycas revoluta). Photo: Unknown author, CC BY-SA 3.0 via Wikimedia Commons.
Status
Deadly
Scientific name
Cycas revoluta
Family
Cycadaceae
Plant type
Ornamental
Also known as
Fern Palm
Toxic parts
All parts; seeds most toxic
Toxic compound
Cycasin, BMAA

Why it matters

Popular container and landscape plant in warm climates.

Signs of sago palm poisoning in alpacas

  • Vomiting/regurgitation
  • Bloody diarrhea
  • Liver failure
  • Neurological signs, death

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 sago palm

  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

Cycas revoluta is a species of gymnosperm in the family Cycadaceae, native to southern Japan including the Ryukyu Islands. It is one of several species used for the production of sago, as well as an ornamental plant. The sago cycad can be distinguished by a thick coat of fibers on its trunk. The sago cycad is sometimes mistakenly thought to be a palm, although the only similarity between the two is that they look similar and both produce seeds.From Wikipedia — “Cycas revoluta”, licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0.

Where it grows

GBIF, the Global Biodiversity Information Facility, holds 3,141 recorded observations of Cycas revoluta Thunb. worldwide, including 315 in the United States. It belongs to the Cycadaceae family. See the occurrence map on GBIF.

Frequently asked questions

Is sago palm poisonous to alpacas?
Yes. Yes — sago palm is highly poisonous. Small amounts can kill. Popular container and landscape plant in warm climates.
What part of sago palm is toxic to alpacas?
All parts; seeds most toxic.
What are the symptoms of sago palm poisoning?
Vomiting/regurgitation, bloody diarrhea, liver failure and neurological signs, death.
Is dried sago palm 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 Q161517.