Snowy Mespilus (Serviceberry) Toxic?

Updated 2026-03-06| 3 min read| 4,498 found this helpful

All plant parts except fully ripe berries contain toxic cyanogenic glycosides, including prunasin

Ruminants are far more sensitive to poisoning than monogastric species (humans, dogs, cats, horses)

Acute high-level cyanide intoxication often progresses too quickly for intervention, causing sudden death in ruminants

FAQ

Is Snowy Mespilus (Serviceberry) toxic to Humans?

Mild gastrointestinal distress including salivation, vomiting, abdominal pain, and diarrhea; severe poisoning is extremely rare for humans (Low)

Is Snowy Mespilus (Serviceberry) toxic to Cats?

No species-specific toxicity data available; expected symptoms are mild gastrointestinal distress per monogastric response patterns (Low)

Is Snowy Mespilus (Serviceberry) toxic to Dogs?

No species-specific toxicity data available; expected symptoms are mild gastrointestinal distress per monogastric response patterns (Low)

Is Snowy Mespilus (Serviceberry) toxic to Horses?

No species-specific toxicity data available; expected symptoms are mild gastrointestinal distress per monogastric response patterns (Low)

Not sure which plant? Snap a photo to ID in 1 secondGet App

Toxicity Details

Humans

Low

Mild gastrointestinal distress including salivation, vomiting, abdominal pain, and diarrhea; severe poisoning is extremely rare for humans

Cats

Low

No species-specific toxicity data available; expected symptoms are mild gastrointestinal distress per monogastric response patterns

Dogs

Low

No species-specific toxicity data available; expected symptoms are mild gastrointestinal distress per monogastric response patterns

Horses

Low

No species-specific toxicity data available; expected symptoms are mild gastrointestinal distress per monogastric response patterns

Toxicity Snapshot

Toxic PartsEntire plant, with the exception of fully ripe berries

Exposure RouteOral ingestion of toxic plant material (leaves, stems, bark, unripe berries)

Toxic CompoundsCyanogenic glycosides (including prunasin); Hydrogen cyanide (released after ingestion)

First Aid & Prevention

First 30 Minutes

• Induce vomiting immediately if large quantities of toxic plant parts were ingested in the last 2 hours, unless the subject is unconscious or convulsing
• Move the exposed subject to fresh air and closely monitor breathing, heart rate, and consciousness level
• Avoid giving any food or oral medications unless explicitly advised by a medical or veterinary professional

Contact Vet Immediately

• If you observe difficulty breathing, convulsions, uncoordinated movement, or sudden lethargy after exposure
• If a large amount of non-berry plant material was ingested by any animal or young child
• If gastrointestinal symptoms persist for more than 2 hours after exposure

Prevention

• Remove the plant from areas accessible to pets, livestock, and unsupervised young children
• Clearly label the plant to avoid accidental confusion with edible blueberries
• Only consume fully ripe, properly identified berries from this species

Treatment & Prognosis

• Provide respiratory support with a 95% oxygen / 5% carbon dioxide ventilation mix
• Administer 1% sodium nitrite solution at 20-25 mg/kg body weight IV, followed by 25% sodium thiosulfate solution at 0.5-1.25 g/kg body weight IV
• Repeat half the dose of the above medications if symptoms do not resolve within 15 minutes of first administration

Emergency? Open PlantFun for real-time AI guidanceGet App

Professional Toxicology

Scientific NameAmelanchier ovalis Medik.; Aronia rotundifolia Pers.

AliasesRock medlar、Common rock pear、Amélanchier、Pero corvino

Toxicity Grade

HumansLow

CatsLow

DogsLow

HorsesLow

Target Organs

Digestive tractRespiratory systemCentral nervous systemCardiovascular system

Mechanism of Action

• Cyanogenic glycosides are hydrolyzed in the digestive tract to release hydrogen cyanide, which blocks cellular oxygen uptake

• Hydrolyzing enzymes are active in the neutral pH of ruminant digestive tracts, but inhibited in the acidic gut of monogastric species, leading to lower risk for non-ruminants

Other Species Risk (CliniTox)

Information from CliniTox veterinary text.

Ruminants (cattle, sheep, goats, deer): Extremely high sensitivity; symptoms include salivation, dyspnea, bloating, uncoordinated movement, convulsions, bright red mucus membranes, paralysis, and sudden death within seconds of high-level exposure

Confusion Risk

The following plants look similar and may be confused:

Common bilberry (blueberry) Vaccinium myrtillus

Both species produce similar dark purple edible berries; blueberry leaves are smaller, ovate, and smooth-edged, while snowy mespilus has longer, serrated leaves

Other toxic Rosaceae species Multiple Rosaceae spp.

Many Rosaceae plants (e.g. cherry, plum) share similar leaf and flower morphology, and also contain toxic cyanogenic glycosides

Use PlantFun to scan and avoid misidentificationGet App

Related Toxic Plants

Bitter almond

Prunus dulcis var. amara

Severe toxicity

Download PlantFun App

Identify, grow and care for plants effectively!

Instant Plant ID

Take a photo to quickly identify plants.

Smart Care Reminders

Generate watering and care schedules.

Toxicity & Disease Diagnosis

Identify toxic plants and pests with treatment advice.

Data Sources

1. 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.