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Toxic Plants for Horses



TOXIC PLANTS for HORSES


Listed by scientific name, the following plants are known to be toxic to horses. See post "Non Toxic Plants"... for a listing of non toxic plants for horses. If your horse ingested a poisonous plant, contact your local veterinarian or the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center at 888-426-4435.* They have a fabulous website http://www.aspca.org/Home/Pet-care/poison-control.aspx.

Various common names and similar plants follow the scientific name of several of the plants below. Try to be conscious of those that are native and grow in your pastures. The list of poisonous plants on this blog does not necessarily include every poisonous plant. Talk with your veterinarian and reference other sites for your area such as state universities and state extension offices.

* Please note: A consultation fee may apply.


A


Scientific Name: Abrus precatorius
Family: Leguminosae

• Prayer Bean (Buddhist rosary bead, Indian Bead, Indian Licorice, Love Bean, Lucky Bean, Rosary, Pea, Seminole Bead, Weather Plant)
• Precatory Bean


Scientific Name: Acer rubrum
Family: Aceraceae

• Carolina Maple (Acer Sanguineum, Curled Maple, Rufacer Rubrum, Scarlet Maple, Soft Maple)
• Red Maple
• Swamp Maple


Scientific Name: Achillea millefolium 
Family: Asteraceae

• Milfoil
• Yarrow


Scientific Name: Achillea millefolium 
Family: Compositae

• Dog Daisy (Dog Fennel)


Scientific Name: Adenium obesum
Family: Apocynaceae

• Desert Azalea (Impala Lily, Mock Azalea)
• Desert Rose
• Sabi Star
• Kudu Lily


Scientific Name: Aesculus spp
Family: Hippocastanaceae

• Buckeye
• Horse Chestnut


Scientific Name: Aglaonema modestrum
Family: Araceae

• Chinese Evergreen


Scientific Name: Allium ampeloprasum
Family: Liliaceae

• Leek (Elephant Garlic)


Scientific Name: Allium cepa
Family: Liliaceae

• Onion


Scientific Name: Allium sativum
Family: Liliaceae

• Garlic (Comphor of the Poor, Nectar of the Gods, Rocambole, Rustic Treacle, Serpet Garlic, Stinking Rose)


Scientific Name: Alocasia spp.
Family: Araceae

• African Wonder Tree
• Alocasia (Elephant's Ear)


Scientific Name: Ammi majus
Family: Apiaceae

• Bishop’s Weed
• False Queen Anne’s Lace
• Greater Ammi


Scientific Name: Amsinckia species
Family: Boraginaceae

• Fiddleneck


Scientific Name: Anthemis cotula
Family: Asteraceae

• Mayweed
• Poison Daisy
• Stinking Chamomile


Scientific Name: Anthemis nobilis
Family: Compositae

• Chamomile (Barnyard Daisy, Corn Feverfew, Manzanilla, True Chamomile, Turkey-weed)
• Garden Chamomile
• Ground Apple
• Roman Chamomile


Scientific Name: Apocynum androsaemifolium
Family: Apocynaceae

• Bitter Root
• Dogbane Hemp
• Indian Hemp


Scientific Name: Aralia spinosa
Family: Araliaceae


• Angelica Tree (Devil's Walking Stick, Prickly Ash, Prickly Elder)
• Hercules' Club


Scientific Name: Arisaema triphyllum
Family: Araceae

• Jack-in-the-pulpit (Bog onion, Brown dragon, Devil's dear, Dragon root, Memory root, Pepper turnip, Starch wort, Three-leaved Indian turnip, Wake robin, Wild turnip)


Scientific Name: Arum maculatum
Family: Araceae

• Adam-and-Eve
• Arum
• Bobbins
• Cuckoo-pint
• Lord-and-Ladies
• Starch Root
• Wake Robin


Scientific Name: Arum palestinum
Family: Araceae

• Black Calla
• Solomon’s Lily
• Wild Arum
• Wild Calla


Scientific Name: Asclepias species
Family: Asclepiadaceae

• Milkweed


Scientific Name: Asparagus densiflorus
Family: Liliaceae

• Emerald Feather (Asparagus, Asparagus fern, Emerald Fern, Lace fern, Plumosa fern, Racemose asparagus, Shatavari, Sprengeri fern)


Scientific Name: Astragalus and Oxytropis species
Family: Fabaceae


• Loco Weed



B

Scientific Name: Barbarea orthoceras
Family: Brassicaceae

• Wintercress
• Scientific Name: Barbarea vulgaris
• Family: Brassicaceae
• Yellowrocke


Scientific Name: Berteroa incana
Family: Brassicaceae

• Hoary Alyssum


Scientific Name: Brassica kaber
Family: Cruciferae

• Charlock (California Rape, Wild Mustard)


Scientific Name: Brassica species
Family: Brassicaceae

• White/Black/Yellow Indian Mustard


Scientific Name: Brunfelsia species
Family: Solanaceae

• Brunfelsia
• Franciscan Rain Tree
• Kiss-me-quick
• Lady-of-the-night
• Morning-Noon-and-Night
• Paraguayan Jasmine
• Yesterday, Today, Tomorrow


Scientific Name: Buxus sp.
Family: Buxaceae


• Boxwood




C

Scientific Name: Caesalpinia pulcherrima
Family: Fabaceae

• Dwarf Poinciana (Barbados Pride)
• Peacock Flower


Scientific Name: Cannabis sativa
Family: Cannabaceae

• Hashish
• Indian Hemp
• Marijuana


Scientific Name: Celastrus scandens
Family: Celastraceae

• American Bittersweet (Bittersweet, Waxwork, Shrubby Bittersweet)
• Climbing Bittersweet
• False Bittersweet


Scientific Name: Centaurea repens
Family: Compositae

• Russian Knapweed


Scientific Name: Centaurea solstitialis
Family: Compositae

• Barnaby's Thistle
• Yellow Starthistle


Scientific Name: Chenopodium botrys
Family: Chenopodiaceae

• Ambrosia Mexicana (Feather Geranium, Jerusalem Oak)


Scientific Name: Chrysanthemum spp.
Family: Compositae

• Chrysanthemum (Daisy; many varieties)
• Mum



Scientific Name: Cicuta species
Family: Apiaceae 

• Cowbane
• Poison Parsnip
• Water Hemlock


Scientific Name: Citrus aurantifolia
Family: Rutaceae

• Lime


Scientific Name: Citrus Aurantium
Family: Rutaceae

• Bergamot Orange (Bergamot, Citrus bergamia)


Scientific Name: Citrus limonia
Family: Rutaceae

• Lemon


Scientific Name: Citrus mitis
Family: Rutaceae

• Calamondin Orange


Scientific Name: Citrus paradisii
Family: Rutaceae

 • Grapefruit


Scientific Name: Citrus sinensis
Family: Rutaceae

• Orange


Scientific Name: Clematis sp.
Family: Ranunculaceae

• Clematis
• Leatherflower
• Virgin's Bower


Scientific Name: Clivia minata
Family: Amaryllidaceae

• Kaffir Lily (Clivia Lily)


Scientific Name: Coleus ampoinicus
Family: Labiatae

• Bread and Butter Plant (Maratha, Militini, East Indian Thyme)
• Coleus
• Indian Borage
• Spanish Thyme


Scientific Name: Colchicum autumnale
Family: Liliaceae

• Autumn Crocus
• Meadow Saffron


Scientific Name: Conium maculatum
Family: Umbelliferae

• Poison Hemlock (Poison Parsley, Spotted Hemlock, Winter Fern, California Fern, Nebraska Fern, Deadly Hemlock)


Scientific Name: Convallaria majalis
Family: Liliaceae

• Lily of the Valley


Scientific Name: Crotalaria albida
Family: Papilionaceae

• Rattlebox


Scientific Name: Cynoglossum amabile
Family: Boraginaceae

• Hound's Tongue




D

Scientific Name: Delphinium species
Family: Ranunculaceae

• Larkspur


Scientific Name: Digitalis purpurea
Family: Scrophalariaceae

• Foxglove



E

Scientific Name: Echium plantagineum
Family: Boraginaceae

• Patterson's Curse (Viper's Bugloss)
• Viper's Bugloss


Scientific Name: Echium vulgare
Family: Boraginaceae

• Viper's Bugloss


Scientific Name: Eichhornia crassipes
Family: Pontederiaceae

• Water Hyacinth


Scientific Name: Erigeron speciosus
Family: Asteraceae

• Fleabane
• Horseweed
• Seaside Daisy
• Showy Daisy


Scientific Name: Erysimum cheiranthoides
Family: Brassicaceae

• Wormseed Mustard


Scientific Name: Equisetum arvense
Family: Equisetaceae

• Field Horsetail (Common horsetail, Western horsetail)
• Scouring Rush


Scientific Name: Eucalyptus species
Family: Myrtaceae

• Eucalyptus (Many cultivars)


Scientific Name: Euonymus atropurpurea
Family: Celastraceae

• Burning Bush (Wahoo)
• Spindle Tree


Scientific Name: Euonymus occidentalis
Family: Celastraceae

• Wahoo (Burning Bush, Spindle Tree)


Scientific Name: Eupatorium rugosum
Family: Asteraceae

• White Snakeroot (fall poison, richweed, tremetol)



F

Scientific Name: Fagopyrum species
Family: Polygonaceae

• Buckwheat


Scientific Name: Ficus benjamina
Family: Moraceae

• Fig (Indian Rubber Plant)
• Weeping Fig




G

Scientific Name: Gardenia jasminoides
Family: Rubiaceae

• Cape Jasmine (Gardenia)


Scientific Name: Gladiolus species
Family: Iridaceae

• Gladiola (Many cultivars)


Scientific Name: Gloriosa superb
Family: Liliaceae

• Gloriosa Lily (Climbing Lily, Glory Lily)
• Superb Lily


Scientific Name: Gypsophila elegans
Family: Caryophyllaceae

• Maidens Breath (Baby's Breath)




H

Scientific Name: Haplopappus heterophyllus
Family: Asteraceae

• Rayless Goldenrod


Scientific Name: Haplopappus heterophyllus
Family: Mimosaceae

• Jimmy Weed (Burrow Weed)


Scientific Name: Hedera helix
Family: Araliaceae

• Branching Ivy (California Ivy)
• English Ivy
• Glacier Ivy
• Hahn's Self Branching English Ivy
• Needlepoint Ivy
• Sweetheart Ivy


Scientific Name: Heliotropium species
Family: Boraginaceae

• Heliotrope


Scientific Name: Helleborus niger
Family: Ranunculaceae

• Christmas Rose
• Easter Rose
• Hellebore
• Lenten Rose


Scientific Name: Heracleum maximum
Family: Apiaceae

• Cow parsnip
• Giant Hogweed


Scientific Name: Hibiscus syriacus
Family: Malvaceae

• Hibiscus
• Rose of China
• Rose of Sharon


Scientific Name: Hosta plataginea
Family: Liliaceae

• Hosta (Funkia)
• Plantain Lily


Scientific Name: Hydrangea arborescens
Family: Hydrangeaceae

• Hills of Snow (Hydrangea, Hortensia, Seven Bark)
• Hortensia
• Hydrangea
• Seven Bark


Scientific Name: Hyacinthus orientalis
Family: Liliaceae

• Hyacinth


Scientific Name: Hypericum perforatum
Family: Clusiaceae

• Goatweed
• Klamath Weed
• St. John’s Wort



I

Scientific Name: Ilex opaca
Family: Aquifoliaceae

• American Holly
• English Holly
• European Holly
• Holly
• Inkberry
• Oregon Holly
• Winterberry



J

Scientific Name: Juglans nigra
Family: Juglandaceae

• Black Walnut




K

Scientific Name: Kalmia augustifolia
Family: Ericaceae

• Lambkill (Sheep Laurel)


Scientific Name: Kalmia latifolia
Family: Ericaceae

• Laurel ( Spoonwood, Mountain Ivy, Calico Bush, Ivy Bush)
• Mountain Laurel
• Sheepkill (Mountain Laurel)


Scientific Name: Kalmia poliifolia
Family: Ericaceae

• Bog Laurel (Bog Kalmia)
• Pale Laurel



L

Scientific Name: Lathyrus latifolius
Family: Fabaceae

• Everlasting Pea (Sweet Pea)
• Perennial Pea
• Sweet Pea


Scientific Name: Leucothoe davisiae
Family: Ericaceae

• Black Laurel (Sierra Laurel)
• Dog Hobble
• Fetter Bush


Scientific Name: Ligustrum vulgare
Family: Oleaceae

• Common Privet or Privet (Amur)
• Wax-Leaf


Scientific Name: Lobelia cardinalis
Family: Campanulaceae

• Cardinal Flower (Indian Pink)
• Lobelia


Scientific Name: Lycopersicon spp
Family: Solanaceae

• Tomato Plant


Scientific Name: Lyonia sp.
Family: Ericaceae

• Fetterbush
• Maleberry
• Staggerbush



M

Scientific Name: Malus sylvestrus
Family: Rosaceae

• Apple (Includes crabapples)


Scientific Name: Melia azedarach
Family: Meliaceae

• Bead Tree (China Ball Tree, Japanese Bead Tree, Paradise Tree, Persian Lilac, White Cedar)
• Chinaberry Tree
• Pride-of-India
• Texas Umbrella Tree



N

Scientific Name: Nandina domestica
Family: Berberidaceae

• Heavenly Bamboo (Nandina, Sacred Bamboo)
• Sacred Bamboo
• Nandina


Scientific Name: Narcissus spp
Family: Amaryllidaceae

• Daffodil
• Narcissus
• Jonquil
• Paper White


Scientific Name: Nerium oleander
Family: Apocynaceae

• Oleander (Rose-Bay)


Scientific Name: Nicotiana glauca
Family: Solanaceae

• Nicotiana (Mustard Tree)
• Tobacco
• Tree Tobacco



O

Scientific Name: Oxalis spp.
Family: Oxalidaceae

• Good Luck Plant (Sorrel)
• Shamrock Plant



P

Scientific Name: Paeonis officinalis
Family: Paeniaceae

• Peony


Scientific Name: Persea americana
Family: Lauraceae

• Avocado (Alligator Pear)


Scientific Name: Petroselinum crispum
Family: Apiaceae

• Spring Parsley


Scientific Name: Phoradendron flavescens
Family: Viscaceae

• Mistletoe "American" (American Mistletoe)


Scientific Name: Pieris japonica
Family: Ericaceae

• Lily-of-the-Valley Bush (Andromeda Japonica, Pieris)


Scientific Name: Pinus ponderosa
Family: Pinaceae

• Blackjack Pine
• Bull Pine
• Ponderosa Pine
• Western Yellow Pine
• Yellow Pine


Scientific Name: Podocarpus macrophylla
Family: Podocarpaceae

• Buddhist Pine (Japanese Yew, Podocarpus, Southern Yew, Yew Pine)
• Yew Pine


Scientific Name: Podophyllum peltatum
Family: Berberidaceae

• American Mandrake (Duck's Foot, Hog Apple, Indian Apple Root, Raccoonberry, Wild Lemon)
• Indian Apple
• Mayapple
• Umbrella Leaf


Scientific Name: Polyscias guilfoylei
Family: Araliaceae

• Coffee Tree
• Geranium-Leaf Aralia
• Wild Coffee


Scientific Name: Portulaca oleracea
Family: Portulacaceae

• Moss Rose (Pigwee, Pusley)
• Rock Moss
• Purslane
• Portulaca


Scientific Name: Prunus armeniaca
Family: Rosaceae

• Apricot (Group also includes Cherry, Peach, Plum)


Scientific Name: Primula vulgaris
Family: Primulaceae

• Primrose


Scientific Name: Prunus species
Family: Rosaceae

• Cherry
(Similar plants)
• Apricot
• Peach
• Plum


Scientific Name: Pteridium aquilinum
Family: Polypodiaceae

• Bracken Fern (Adelaarsvaring, Hog-Pasture Bracken, Eagle fern, Pasture Bracken, Umbewe, Umhlashoshana)
• Brake Fern



Q


Scientific Name: Quercus species
Family: Fagaceae

• Oak



R

Scientific Name: Ranunculus acris
Family: Ranunculaceae

• Figwort (Buttercup, Butter Cress, Burwort, Crowfoot burwort)


Scientific Name: Ranunculus sp.
Family: Ranunculaceae

• Buttercup (Butter Cress, Figwort)


Scientific Name: Raphanus raphanistrum
Family: Brassicaceae

• Wild Radish


Scientific Name: Rheum rhabarbarium
Family: Polygonaceae

• Pie Plant
• Rhubarb


Scientific Name: Rhododendron spp
Family: Ericaceae

• Azalea
• Rosebay
• Rhododendron


Scientific Name: Ricinus communis
Family: Euphorbiaceae

• Castor Bean Plant (Castor Bean, Castor Oil Plant)
• Mole Bean Plant


Scientific Name: Robinia species
Family: Mimosaceae

• Locust


Scientific Name: Rumex sp.
Family: Polygonaceae

• Dock (Sorrel)




S

Scientific Name: Senecio species
Family: Compositae

• Golden Ragwort
• Ragwort
• Groundsel (Ragwort, Senecio)


Scientific Name: Solanum dulcamara
Family: Solanaceae

• Climbing Nightshade (Blue Blindweed, Blue Nightshade, Devil's Apple, Felonwort, Poisonous Nightshade, Scarlet Berry, Soda Apple, Violet Bloom, Woody Nightshade)
• Deadly Nightshade
• European Bittersweet
• Nightshade


Scientific Name: Solanum nigrum
Family: Solanaceae

• Black Nightshade (Deadly Nightshade, Nightshade)


Scientific Name: Solanum pseudocapsicum
Family: Solanaceae

• Jerusalem Cherry (Natal cherry)
• Ornamental Pepper
• Winter Cherry



Scientific Name: Sorhum vulgare var. sudanesis
Family: Gramineae

• Sudan Grass / Hybrid Sudan


Scientific Name: Sphenosciadium capitellatum
Family: Apiaceae

• Ranger's Button
• White Heads

Scientific Name: Strelitzia reginae
Family: Strelitziaceae

• Bird of Paradise Flower (Crane Flower)
• Bird's Tongue Flower


Scientific Name: Symplocarpus foetidus
Family: Araceae

• Skunk Cabbage (Polecat Weed, Meadow Cabbage, Skunk Weed, Swamp Cabbage)




T


Scientific Name: Taxus baccata
Family: Taxaceae

• English Yew (Anglo-Japanese Yew)
• Japanese Yew
• Pacific Yew
• Western Yew


Scientific Name: Taxus canidensus
Family: Taxaceae

• American Yew


Scientific Name: Taxus sp.
Family: Taxaceae

• Yew (japanese yew)


Scientific Name: Thevetia peruviana
Family: Apocynaceae

• Yellow Oleander


Scientific Name: Thlaspi arvense
Family: Brassicaceae

• Field Pennycress


Scientific Name: Trifolium hybridum
Family: Leguminosae

• Alsike Clover


Scientific Name: Tulipa species
Family: Liliaceae

• Tulip




V

Scientific Name: Vinca rosea
Family: Apocynaceae

• Periwinkle
• Running Myrtle
• Vinca



W


Scientific Name: wisteria species
Family: Fabaceae

• Wisteria



Y


Scientific Name: Yucca sp.
Family: Agavaceae

• Yucca



Z


Scientific Name: Zamia furfuracea
Family: Cycadaceae

• Cardboard Palm (cycads and zamias)


Scientific Name: Zamia pumila
Family: Cycadaceae

• Coontie Palm (Cardboard Palm, cycads and zamias)
• Cycads
• Fern Palm
• Sago Palm

For more information on safe, healthy feeding see post "Treat with Respect"


Go Green Tips:



  • Fewer flies and other insects will be attracted to the barn if it is kept fairly dark inside during the day. A strong fan or breeze can help, and fly masks/sheets are excellent nontoxic insect controls
  • Always store chemicals safely:
    • keep substances in their original containers or always label recycled containers
    • secure lids properly
    • check expiration dates
    • keep out of reach of horses / other farm animals
    • keep separate from feed, water and equipment / house petroleum products separately


  Any Go Green Ideas?
Email us: info@agreenhorse.com





"Bread may feed my body, but my horse feeds my soul."
Author Unknown

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