Wake Robin Toxic?

Updated 2026-03-06| 2 min read| 824 found this helpful

Arum maculatum

All plant parts including berries are toxic to most mammals, though berries are non-toxic to birds; drying or cooking reduces toxicity

Primary toxic components include needle-shaped calcium oxalate raphides, oxalates, glycosides, and saponins

Ingestion causes immediate oral irritation, gastrointestinal distress, and potential heart, liver, kidney, and neurological damage in affected species

FAQ

Is Wake Robin toxic to Humans?

Intense oral, tongue, and lip burning/irritation, excessive drooling, vomiting, difficulty swallowing, abdominal pain, diarrhea, and potential organ damage in severe cases (High)

Is Wake Robin toxic to Cats?

Oral irritation, intense mouth/tongue/lip burning, excessive drooling, vomiting, difficulty swallowing, and potential systemic organ damage in severe cases (High)

Is Wake Robin toxic to Dogs?

Oral irritation, intense mouth/tongue/lip burning, excessive drooling, vomiting, difficulty swallowing, and potential systemic organ damage in severe cases (High)

Is Wake Robin toxic to Horses?

Restlessness, head tilting, pawing at the abdomen, frequent lying down, appetite loss, inability to drink, drooling, diarrhea, intestinal paralysis, and potential collapse (High)

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Toxicity Details

Humans

High

Intense oral, tongue, and lip burning/irritation, excessive drooling, vomiting, difficulty swallowing, abdominal pain, diarrhea, and potential organ damage in severe cases

Cats

High

Oral irritation, intense mouth/tongue/lip burning, excessive drooling, vomiting, difficulty swallowing, and potential systemic organ damage in severe cases

Dogs

High

Oral irritation, intense mouth/tongue/lip burning, excessive drooling, vomiting, difficulty swallowing, and potential systemic organ damage in severe cases

Horses

High

Restlessness, head tilting, pawing at the abdomen, frequent lying down, appetite loss, inability to drink, drooling, diarrhea, intestinal paralysis, and potential collapse

Toxicity Snapshot

Toxic PartsAll plant parts, including berries (berries are non-toxic to birds); drying or cooking reduces toxicity level

Exposure RouteIngestion of any plant part; direct oral contact with plant tissue causes local irritation

Toxic CompoundsInsoluble calcium oxalate raphides; Soluble oxalic acid and its salts; Aroin glycoside; Triglochinin (cyanogenic glycoside); Saponins

First Aid & Prevention

First 30 Minutes

• Rinse the affected person/animal's mouth thoroughly with cool clean water to remove residual plant matter
• Do not induce vomiting unless explicitly instructed by a medical or veterinary professional
• Collect a sample of the ingested plant for accurate identification to guide treatment

Contact Vet Immediately

• If any amount of the plant is confirmed ingested by cats, dogs, horses, or livestock
• If you observe symptoms like oral irritation, drooling, vomiting, or difficulty breathing after exposure
• If severe symptoms including diarrhea, tremors, weakness, or collapse develop

Prevention

• Keep the plant out of reach of pets, livestock, and young children
• Learn to identify this plant to avoid accidental ingestion when foraging for wild edible plants
• Do not feed any part of the plant to domestic pets or livestock

Treatment & Prognosis

• Perform exposure-appropriate decontamination and deliver symptomatic supportive care
• Administer analgesics for pain relief, antihistamines if required, and glucocorticoids for severe swelling
• Provide calcium supplementation for very large ingestions, and supportive care for affected organ function as needed

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Professional Toxicology

Scientific NameArum maculatum

AliasesArum、Lord-and-Ladies、Adam-and-Eve、Starch Root、Bobbins、Cuckoo Plant

Toxicity Grade

HumansHigh

CatsHigh

DogsHigh

HorsesHigh

Target Organs

Oral mucosaPharynxGastrointestinal tractHeartCentral nervous systemLiverKidneys

Mechanism of Action

• Needle-shaped calcium oxalate raphides cause immediate local irritation to oral, throat, and gastrointestinal mucosa on contact

• Oxalates and other toxic compounds cause systemic toxicity affecting cardiac, neurological, liver, and kidney function

• Cyanogenic glycoside content rarely causes cyanide poisoning, as immediate irritation limits the amount of plant ingested

Other Species Risk (CliniTox)

Information from CliniTox veterinary text.

Cattle: Highly susceptible; symptoms include regurgitation, colic, sour-smelling green-yellow diarrhea, tremors, hindlimb weakness, and collapse

Sheep: Highly toxic, may develop gastrointestinal distress, neurological symptoms, and organ damage

Pigs: Highly toxic, may experience oral irritation, gastrointestinal symptoms, and systemic toxicity

Birds: Berries are non-toxic, but all other plant parts are severely toxic, potentially fatal if ingested

Confusion Risk

The following plants look similar and may be confused:

Ramsons (Wild Garlic) Allium ursinum

Visually similar to Wake Robin; it is non-toxic to humans but toxic to animals, and can be distinguished by its strong garlicky scent when leaves are crushed

Good King Henry Chenopodium bonus-henricus

Visually similar, non-toxic; it grows along walls and fences, has large triangular leaves, and is cultivated as a culinary herb in England

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Related Toxic Plants

Dieffenbachia

Dieffenbachia seguine

Highly Toxic

Peace Lily

Spathiphyllum wallisii

Moderately Toxic

Calla Lily

Zantedeschia aethiopica

Highly Toxic

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Data Sources

1. ASPCA Animal Poison Control

2. 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.

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