Dreamcatcher Alpacas
Plant safety · Toxic

Is Wisteria Poisonous to Alpacas?

Wisteria (Wisteria spp.) — a vine. Here is what alpaca owners need to know.

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

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

Wisteria (Wisteria spp.)
Wisteria (Wisteria spp.). Photo: 3268zauber, CC BY-SA 3.0 via Wikimedia Commons.
Status
Toxic
Scientific name
Wisteria spp.
Family
Fabaceae
Plant type
Vine
Toxic parts
Seeds and pods especially
Toxic compound
Lectin and wisterin glycoside

Why it matters

Ornamental climbing vine on barns and pergolas.

Signs of wisteria poisoning in alpacas

  • Drooling
  • Loss of appetite
  • Diarrhea
  • Colic or abdominal discomfort

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 wisteria

  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

Wisteria is a genus of flowering plants in the legume family, Fabaceae (Leguminosae). The genus includes four species of woody twining vines that are native to China, Japan, Korea, Vietnam, southern Canada, the Eastern United States, and north of Iran. They were later introduced to England, France, Germany and various other countries in Europe. Some species are popular ornamental plants. The genus name is also used as the English name, and may then be spelt 'wistaria'.From Wikipedia — “Wisteria”, licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0.

Where it grows

GBIF, the Global Biodiversity Information Facility, holds 19,653 recorded observations of Wisteria Nutt. worldwide, including 8,064 in the United States. It belongs to the Fabaceae family, together with Rosary Pea, Black Locust, Coffee Senna & Sicklepod, Kentucky Coffeetree, Laburnum. See the occurrence map on GBIF.

Frequently asked questions

Is wisteria poisonous to alpacas?
Yes. Yes — wisteria is toxic to alpacas. Ornamental climbing vine on barns and pergolas.
What part of wisteria is toxic to alpacas?
Seeds and pods especially.
What are the symptoms of wisteria poisoning?
Drooling, loss of appetite, diarrhea and colic or abdominal discomfort.
Is dried wisteria 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 Q261903.