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?
