Wood anemone Toxic?

Updated 2026-03-06| 3 min read| 2,763 found this helpful

All fresh plant parts are toxic, with the highest protoanemonin concentration during the flowering season

Dried plant material (e.g. in hay/forage) is non-toxic, as protoanemonin converts to harmless anemonin when dried

Ingestion can cause oral irritation, digestive distress, neurological symptoms, and rare fatalities from respiratory paralysis

FAQ

Is Wood anemone toxic to Humans?

Blistering, redness and swelling of the mouth/lips with excessive salivation; digestive tract irritation causing vomiting, colic, diarrhea; weakness, blood in urine, tremors, seizures, paralysis, rare death from respiratory paralysis (Moderate)

Is Wood anemone toxic to Cats?

No species-specific data available, expected to cause similar oral irritation, gastrointestinal upset and neurological symptoms as observed in other mammals if ingested (Moderate)

Is Wood anemone toxic to Dogs?

No species-specific data available, expected to cause similar oral irritation, gastrointestinal upset and neurological symptoms as observed in other mammals if ingested (Moderate)

Is Wood anemone toxic to Horses?

Oral blistering, excessive salivation, digestive irritation (colic, diarrhea), weakness, blood in urine, tremors, seizures, paralysis, rare death from respiratory paralysis; ingestion may cause discolored, bitter-tasting milk in lactating mares (Moderate)

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Toxicity Details

Humans

Moderate

Cats

Moderate

No species-specific data available, expected to cause similar oral irritation, gastrointestinal upset and neurological symptoms as observed in other mammals if ingested

Dogs

Moderate

No species-specific data available, expected to cause similar oral irritation, gastrointestinal upset and neurological symptoms as observed in other mammals if ingested

Horses

Moderate

Toxicity Snapshot

Toxic PartsWhole fresh plant; highest toxin concentration during flowering season; dried plant contains no active protoanemonin and is non-toxic

Exposure RouteIngestion of fresh plant material, direct skin contact with damaged/wilted fresh plant tissue

Toxic CompoundsProtoanemonin; Ranunculin (non-toxic precursor that converts to protoanemonin when the plant is damaged or wilted)

First Aid & Prevention

First 30 Minutes

• Remove any remaining plant material from the mouth or skin of the exposed individual immediately
• Rinse affected skin or oral cavity thoroughly with clean, cool water
• Do not induce vomiting unless explicitly instructed by a medical or veterinary professional
• Monitor for onset of symptoms for up to 72 hours post-exposure

Contact Vet Immediately

• If ingestion of a large amount of fresh wood anemone is confirmed
• If symptoms like blistering, excessive salivation, vomiting, diarrhea, tremors or seizures appear
• If exposure involves small children, companion animals or grazing livestock

Prevention

• Keep fresh wood anemone plants out of reach of children, pets and grazing livestock
• Inspect hay and dried forage supplies for fresh wood anemone contamination before feeding to livestock
• Wear protective gloves when handling damaged fresh wood anemone plants to avoid skin irritation

Treatment & Prognosis

• Administer decontamination measures such as activated charcoal for recent large ingestion as clinically indicated
• Provide supportive symptomatic care: fluid therapy for dehydration from vomiting/diarrhea, anti-seizure medication if seizures occur, pain management for mucosal irritation
• Monitor respiratory function closely in severe cases to prevent fatal respiratory paralysis

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Professional Toxicology

Scientific NameAnemone nemorosa L.

AliasesCrowfoot、European thimbleweed、European wood anemone、Smell fox、Thimbleweed、Wind crowfoot、Wind flower

Toxicity Grade

HumansModerate

CatsModerate

DogsModerate

HorsesModerate

Target Organs

Oral mucous membranesGastrointestinal tractKidneysNervous systemRespiratory system

Mechanism of Action

• Non-toxic ranunculin in intact plant tissue is converted to toxic protoanemonin via enzymatic cleavage when the plant is wilted or damaged

• Protoanemonin causes direct irritant effects on skin, oral mucosa and the gastrointestinal tract lining

• Systemic absorption of protoanemonin leads to neurological toxicity, including seizures and respiratory paralysis in severe cases

• Protoanemonin is unstable, and dimerizes to non-toxic anemonin when the plant is fully dried, eliminating all toxicity

Other Species Risk (CliniTox)

Information from CliniTox veterinary text.

Cattle: Ingestion may cause reddish, bitter-tasting milk in lactating cows, in addition to general oral, digestive and neurological toxicity symptoms

Sheep: Expected to experience similar toxicity symptoms as horses if large quantities of fresh plant material are ingested

Goats: Low palatability reduces accidental ingestion risk, but intake of large amounts can cause moderate toxicity symptoms

Confusion Risk

The following plants look similar and may be confused:

Narcissus anemone Anemone narcissiflora

Toxic related species with similar growth habit; distinguished by its clustered white or yellowish flowers, compared to the single white flower of wood anemone

Snowdrop anemone Anemone sylvestris

Toxic related species; larger in size, distinguished from wood anemone by its fragrant, drooping white flowers and creeping rhizome growth pattern

Three-leaved anemone Anemone trifolia

Toxic related forest species with similar habitat; distinguished by its glossy, three-lobed leaves, compared to the more deeply divided leaves of wood anemone

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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.