Sabi Star Toxic?

Updated 2026-03-06| 5 min read| 2,276 found this helpful

Adenium obesum is confirmed toxic to cats, dogs, and horses, with ingestion carrying a risk of fatal cardiac complications.

Toxicity is driven by cardiac glycosides similar to digitalis that disrupt normal heart function.

Even small ingested amounts may cause vomiting or retching, while larger doses lead to irregular heartbeat and death.

FAQ

Is Sabi Star toxic to Humans?

No specific human poisoning cases documented, but ingestion is not recommended due to cardiac glycoside content that may cause gastrointestinal and cardiac distress. (Low)

Is Sabi Star toxic to Cats?

Vomiting, diarrhea, anorexia, depression, irregular heartbeat, death (Low)

Is Sabi Star toxic to Dogs?

Vomiting, diarrhea, anorexia, depression, irregular heartbeat, death (Low)

Is Sabi Star toxic to Horses?

Vomiting, diarrhea, anorexia, depression, irregular heartbeat, death (Low)

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Toxicity Details

Humans

Low

No specific human poisoning cases documented, but ingestion is not recommended due to cardiac glycoside content that may cause gastrointestinal and cardiac distress.

Cats

Low

Vomiting, diarrhea, anorexia, depression, irregular heartbeat, death

Dogs

Low

Vomiting, diarrhea, anorexia, depression, irregular heartbeat, death

Horses

Low

Vomiting, diarrhea, anorexia, depression, irregular heartbeat, death

Toxicity Snapshot

Toxic PartsNo confirmed animal poisoning cases are documented in existing literature, but all plant parts are presumed toxic, and the plant is explicitly unsuitable for use as animal feed.

Exposure RouteIngestion of any plant part; contact with fresh sap may cause mild skin irritation in sensitive individuals.

Toxic CompoundsDigitalis-like glycosides; Cardiac steroid glycosides

First Aid & Prevention

First 30 Minutes

• Immediately remove any remaining plant material from the mouth of the exposed human or animal.
• Do not induce vomiting unless explicitly instructed by a medical professional or veterinarian.
• Rinse exposed skin, mouth, and mucous membranes with clean cool water.

Contact Vet Immediately

• Any confirmed ingestion of Adenium obesum plant material by pets or livestock
• Appearance of symptoms including vomiting, diarrhea, lethargy, or abnormal heart rhythm
• If the exposed animal is unresponsive, disoriented, or having difficulty breathing

Prevention

• Keep potted and garden-planted Sabi Star out of reach of pets, livestock, and small children
• Never use any part of the plant as animal feed or for human consumption
• Label potted Sabi Star plants clearly as toxic to avoid accidental exposure

Treatment & Prognosis

• Veterinarian-administered decontamination including activated charcoal or gastric lavage if indicated
• Cardiac monitoring and antiarrhythmic medication to regulate heart function
• Symptomatic supportive care for dehydration, vomiting, and diarrhea

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Professional Toxicology

Scientific NameAdenium obesum

AliasesDesert Azalea、Mock Azalea、Desert Rose、Impala Lily、Kudu Lily

Toxicity Grade

HumansLow

CatsLow

DogsLow

HorsesLow

Target Organs

Gastrointestinal tractHeartCentral nervous system

Mechanism of Action

• Cardiac glycosides bind to and inhibit sodium-potassium ATPase in heart muscle cells, disrupting normal heart rhythm and potentially leading to cardiac failure

Other Species Risk (CliniTox)

Information from CliniTox veterinary text.

General livestock: No confirmed poisoning cases reported, but the plant is explicitly unsuitable for use as feed for any livestock species

Small companion mammals (rabbits, guinea pigs, etc.): No specific toxicity data available, ingestion is not recommended due to cardiac glycoside content

Confusion Risk

The following plants look similar and may be confused:

Other Adenium species Adenium spp.

Visually nearly identical to Adenium obesum, all species in the Adenium genus are presumed to share a similar toxic profile

Sims' Azalea Rhododendron simsii

Visually similar flowering plant, classified as highly toxic with a distinct toxic profile from Sabi Star

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Related Toxic Plants

Madagascar Periwinkle

Catharanthus roseus

Low

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Data Sources

1. ASPCA Animal Poison Control

2. CliniTox (Universität Zürich)

This information is for reference only and does not constitute medical advice. If ingestion or poisoning is suspected, seek medical or veterinary attention immediately.