European columbine Toxic?

Updated 2026-03-06| 2 min read| 3,421 found this helpful

All parts of European columbine are toxic, containing alkaloids, flavonoids and trace cyanogenic glycosides

Ingestion of any plant part may cause gastrointestinal irritation in humans and exposed animals

It has a low toxicity classification, with treatment focusing on decontamination and symptomatic care

FAQ

Is European columbine toxic to Humans?

Gastrointestinal tract irritation including possible nausea, vomiting, abdominal pain and diarrhea after ingesting plant parts (Low)

Is European columbine toxic to Cats?

No specific published symptom data; gastrointestinal irritation is suspected if plant material is ingested (Low)

Is European columbine toxic to Dogs?

No specific published symptom data; gastrointestinal irritation is suspected if plant material is ingested (Low)

Is European columbine toxic to Horses?

No specific published symptom data; gastrointestinal irritation is suspected if plant material is ingested (Low)

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Toxicity Details

Humans

Low

Gastrointestinal tract irritation including possible nausea, vomiting, abdominal pain and diarrhea after ingesting plant parts

Cats

Low

No specific published symptom data; gastrointestinal irritation is suspected if plant material is ingested

Dogs

Low

No specific published symptom data; gastrointestinal irritation is suspected if plant material is ingested

Horses

Low

No specific published symptom data; gastrointestinal irritation is suspected if plant material is ingested

Toxicity Snapshot

Toxic PartsEntire plant (all plant parts are toxic)

Exposure RouteIngestion of plant parts is the primary confirmed exposure route; no confirmed dermal toxicity data is available

Toxic CompoundsMagnoflorin (benzylisoquinoline alkaloid); Flavonoids; Dhurrin (trace cyanogenic glycoside)

First Aid & Prevention

First 30 Minutes

• For recent ingestion of large amounts of plant material, induce vomiting (for conscious humans/animals) or perform gastric lavage
• Administer activated charcoal to absorb unabsorbed toxic compounds in the digestive tract
• Monitor closely for early signs of gastrointestinal distress like nausea, vomiting or abdominal pain

Contact Vet Immediately

• If your cat, dog or horse is observed ingesting a large quantity of European columbine
• If an exposed human or animal develops persistent vomiting, diarrhea or dehydration symptoms
• If you suspect accidental ingestion by a young child or small companion pet

Prevention

• Keep this plant out of reach of young children and household pets
• Avoid foraging this plant for consumption, as it may be mistaken for edible wild species
• Wash hands thoroughly after handling the plant to avoid accidental ingestion of plant residue

Treatment & Prognosis

• Gastrointestinal decontamination for recent exposure cases
• Symptomatic care including fluid replacement to manage dehydration from vomiting/diarrhea
• Continuous symptom monitoring until full resolution, no specific antidote is available

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Professional Toxicology

Scientific NameAquilegia vulgaris L.

AliasesCommon columbine、Granny's nightcap、Granny's bonnet

Toxicity Grade

HumansLow

CatsLow

DogsLow

HorsesLow

Target Organs

Gastrointestinal tract (stomach, small intestine, large intestine)

Mechanism of Action

• Toxic alkaloids and trace cyanogenic glycosides irritate the mucosal lining of the gastrointestinal tract following ingestion

Other Species Risk (CliniTox)

Information from CliniTox veterinary text.

Cattle, sheep and other ruminant livestock: No specific published toxicity data; mild gastrointestinal irritation is expected if large amounts are ingested

Small companion mammals (rabbits, guinea pigs, hamsters): Low expected toxicity, may develop soft stool or mild vomiting after ingesting plant parts

Confusion Risk

The following plants look similar and may be confused:

Other columbine species Aquilegia spp.

All Aquilegia species share nearly identical leaf and flower morphology; most have comparable low toxicity profiles, so misidentification does not alter exposure risk management

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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.