Tail Flower Toxic?

Updated 2026-03-06| 2 min read| 2,255 found this helpful

Anthurium scherzeranum

Toxic to cats and dogs; horse toxicity status is currently unconfirmed per available data

Its primary toxic compound, per ASPCA records, is insoluble calcium oxalate crystals

Ingestion commonly causes oral pain, excessive drooling, vomiting, and difficulty swallowing

FAQ

Is Tail Flower toxic to Humans?

Oral burning and pain, swelling of lips/tongue, excessive salivation, vomiting, difficulty swallowing (Low)

Is Tail Flower toxic to Cats?

Oral irritation, intense burning of mouth, tongue and lips, excessive drooling, vomiting, difficulty swallowing (Moderate)

Is Tail Flower toxic to Dogs?

Oral irritation, intense burning of mouth, tongue and lips, excessive drooling, vomiting, difficulty swallowing (Moderate)

Is Tail Flower toxic to Horses?

Toxicity is unconfirmed; no validated clinical signs from ingestion are recorded (Unknown)

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Toxicity Details

Humans

Low

Oral burning and pain, swelling of lips/tongue, excessive salivation, vomiting, difficulty swallowing

Cats

Moderate

Oral irritation, intense burning of mouth, tongue and lips, excessive drooling, vomiting, difficulty swallowing

Dogs

Moderate

Oral irritation, intense burning of mouth, tongue and lips, excessive drooling, vomiting, difficulty swallowing

Horses

Unknown

Toxicity is unconfirmed; no validated clinical signs from ingestion are recorded

Toxicity Snapshot

Toxic PartsAll plant parts, particularly leaves, stems, and fresh sap

Exposure RouteIngestion, direct contact of broken plant tissue/sap with mucous membranes or bare skin

Toxic CompoundsInsoluble calcium oxalates

First Aid & Prevention

First 30 Minutes

• Remove all remaining plant material from the mouth of the exposed person or pet immediately
• Rinse the affected mouth area thoroughly with cool, clean water for 5 to 10 minutes
• Wash sap-exposed skin with mild soap and cool water to reduce irritation risk

Contact Vet Immediately

• Your pet shows persistent drooling, oral pain, or refusal to eat after exposure
• Your pet has repeated vomiting, difficulty breathing, or trouble swallowing
• Your horse has ingested large volumes of the plant, despite unknown toxicity status

Prevention

• Place the plant in an area fully inaccessible to cats, dogs, and young children
• Wear disposable gloves when pruning or handling the plant to avoid sap contact
• Inform all household members and pet caregivers of the plant's toxic properties

Treatment & Prognosis

• Administer prescribed pain relief and mucosal protectants to reduce irritation
• Provide supportive fluid therapy to prevent dehydration from vomiting or reduced oral intake
• Monitor closely for airway obstruction if severe oral or throat swelling develops

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Professional Toxicology

Scientific NameAnthurium scherzeranum

AliasesFlamingo Plant、Flamingo Lily、Oilcloth Flower、Pigtail Plant、Painter's Pallet

Toxicity Grade

HumansLow

CatsModerate

DogsModerate

HorsesUnknown

Target Organs

Oral mucous membranesUpper gastrointestinal tractUpper respiratory tract (if severe swelling occurs)

Mechanism of Action

• Insoluble calcium oxalate crystals penetrate soft mucous membrane tissue in the mouth, throat, and GI tract upon ingestion, triggering sharp pain, inflammation, and swelling

Other Species Risk (CliniTox)

Information from CliniTox veterinary text.

Horse: Toxicity is unconfirmed; no verified cases of adverse effects from ingestion are recorded in major toxicology databases

Small domestic mammals (rabbits, guinea pigs, hamsters): Expected to have similar toxicity to cats and dogs, with oral and gastrointestinal irritation from calcium oxalate exposure

Confusion Risk

The following plants look similar and may be confused:

Laceleaf Anthurium Anthurium andraeanum

Visually almost identical to A. scherzeranum with bright waxy spathes; distinguished by its straight spadix, compared to the curled spadix of A. scherzeranum

Calla Lily Zantedeschia aethiopica

Shares glossy green foliage and bright, waxy flower spathes; distinguishable by its larger size and trumpet-shaped, typically white spathes

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Related Toxic Plants

Peace Lily

Spathiphyllum wallisii

Moderate toxicity to humans, cats, and dogs

Dumb Cane

Dieffenbachia seguine

Moderate to high toxicity, may cause severe oral swelling

Heartleaf Philodendron

Philodendron hederaceum

Low to moderate toxicity, causes oral and gastrointestinal irritation

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Data Sources

1. ASPCA Animal Poison Control

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

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