Hercules' Club Toxic?

Updated 2026-03-06| 3 min read| 4,644 found this helpful

Hercules' Club is verified toxic to cats, dogs, and horses per official ASPCA toxicology records

Araliin is the primary identified toxic compound present in the plant

Exposure typically causes skin/oral irritation and gastrointestinal upset including vomiting and diarrhea

FAQ

Is Hercules' Club toxic to Humans?

No confirmed human toxicity data available, but contact or ingestion may cause mild to moderate skin and mucous membrane irritation consistent with animal symptom profiles (Low)

Is Hercules' Club toxic to Cats?

Skin and oral irritation, hypersalivation, vomiting, diarrhea (Moderate)

Is Hercules' Club toxic to Dogs?

Skin and oral irritation, hypersalivation, vomiting, diarrhea (Moderate)

Is Hercules' Club toxic to Horses?

Skin and oral irritation, hypersalivation, vomiting, diarrhea (Moderate)

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Toxicity Details

Humans

Low

No confirmed human toxicity data available, but contact or ingestion may cause mild to moderate skin and mucous membrane irritation consistent with animal symptom profiles

Cats

Moderate

Skin and oral irritation, hypersalivation, vomiting, diarrhea

Dogs

Moderate

Skin and oral irritation, hypersalivation, vomiting, diarrhea

Horses

Moderate

Skin and oral irritation, hypersalivation, vomiting, diarrhea

Toxicity Snapshot

Toxic PartsAll plant parts, particularly prickly stems, leaves, and bark, contain toxic irritant compounds

Exposure RouteDirect skin contact with prickly plant tissue, ingestion of any part of the plant

Toxic CompoundsAraliin

First Aid & Prevention

First 30 Minutes

• Remove any remaining plant material from the exposed individual/pet's mouth, and rinse the mouth thoroughly with clean cool water if ingested
• Wash affected skin with mild soap and cool running water for 10-15 minutes to remove residual irritants if skin contact occurs
• Closely monitor for onset of symptoms including irritation, hypersalivation, or vomiting in the first 30 minutes post exposure

Contact Vet Immediately

• Your pet has ingested more than a small bite of the plant
• Persistent vomiting, diarrhea, or severe skin/oral swelling develops after exposure
• Your horse has consumed any quantity of the plant, as gastrointestinal upset can lead to life-threatening equine complications like colic

Prevention

• Keep cultivated Hercules' Club plants out of reach of household pets, and restrict livestock/pet access to wild growth areas on your property
• Wear puncture-resistant protective gloves when handling the plant to avoid skin irritation from prickles and araliin
• Learn to correctly identify the plant to prevent accidental exposure for both humans and animals

Treatment & Prognosis

• Supportive fluid therapy to address dehydration caused by vomiting and diarrhea
• Veterinarian-prescribed topical anti-irritant treatments for skin and oral mucosal inflammation
• Symptomatic care with anti-emetics and anti-diarrheal medications under professional veterinary supervision

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Professional Toxicology

Scientific NameAralia spinosa

AliasesAngelica Tree、Devil's Walking Stick、Prickly Ash、Prickly Elder

Toxicity Grade

HumansLow

CatsModerate

DogsModerate

HorsesModerate

Target Organs

SkinOral mucosaGastrointestinal tract

Mechanism of Action

• The toxic compound araliin acts as a direct irritant to skin and mucous membranes, triggering local inflammatory responses and gastrointestinal distress upon contact or ingestion

Other Species Risk (CliniTox)

Information from CliniTox veterinary text.

Cattle, sheep, and goats: No species-specific toxicity data is available, but ingestion is expected to cause similar oral and gastrointestinal irritation as reported in horses, dogs, and cats

Small companion mammals (rabbits, guinea pigs, hamsters): Suspected to cause mild to moderate gastrointestinal and mucous membrane irritation if ingested; monitor closely for distress if exposure occurs

Confusion Risk

The following plants look similar and may be confused:

Purple Angelica Angelica atropurpurea

Both species have large compound leaves and umbrella-shaped white flower clusters; the key distinguishing feature is that Aralia spinosa has dense sharp prickles along its stems, while Angelica atropurpurea has smooth, purple, prickle-free stems

Northern Prickly Ash Zanthoxylum americanum

Both have prickly stems and are sometimes colloquially called Prickly Ash; Aralia spinosa grows as a small tree with very large pinnately compound leaves, while Zanthoxylum americanum is a small shrub with smaller, paired aromatic leaflets

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Related Toxic Plants

Umbrella Tree

Schefflera actinophylla

Japanese Angelica Tree

Aralia elata

Moderate

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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.