Mexican shrimp plant Toxic?

Updated 2026-03-06| 3 min read| 4,209 found this helpful

Justicia brandegeeana Wassh. & L.B.Sm.

Oxalate compounds are suspected to be present in this plant, though no formal toxicological confirmation has been published to date

No documented cases of poisoning in cats, dogs, or horses from ingestion of this plant exist in available scientific literature

This plant is explicitly unsuitable for use as feed for any companion animals or livestock species

FAQ

Is Mexican shrimp plant toxic to Humans?

No reported poisoning cases; potential mild oral irritation, drooling, or gastrointestinal upset if large quantities are ingested, consistent with oxalate exposure (Low)

Is Mexican shrimp plant toxic to Cats?

No documented feline poisoning cases; monitor for drooling, mouth pain, vomiting, or decreased appetite if ingestion occurs (Low)

Is Mexican shrimp plant toxic to Dogs?

No documented canine poisoning cases; monitor for drooling, mouth pain, vomiting, or diarrhea if ingestion occurs (Low)

Is Mexican shrimp plant toxic to Horses?

No documented equine poisoning cases; monitor for reduced feed intake or gastrointestinal discomfort if large quantities are ingested (Low)

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Toxicity Details

Humans

Low

No reported poisoning cases; potential mild oral irritation, drooling, or gastrointestinal upset if large quantities are ingested, consistent with oxalate exposure

Cats

Low

No documented feline poisoning cases; monitor for drooling, mouth pain, vomiting, or decreased appetite if ingestion occurs

Dogs

Low

No documented canine poisoning cases; monitor for drooling, mouth pain, vomiting, or diarrhea if ingestion occurs

Horses

Low

No documented equine poisoning cases; monitor for reduced feed intake or gastrointestinal discomfort if large quantities are ingested

Toxicity Snapshot

Toxic PartsAll plant parts are suspected to contain oxalate toxins, no specific toxic part has been confirmed in published studies

Exposure RouteIngestion is the primary known exposure route; skin contact may cause mild irritation in sensitive individuals

Toxic CompoundsSuspected calcium oxalate crystals (unconfirmed in formal toxicology studies)

First Aid & Prevention

First 30 Minutes

• If ingested, rinse mouth thoroughly with clean water to remove any remaining plant material
• Monitor for signs of oral irritation, drooling, vomiting or diarrhea for the first 24 hours post exposure
• Do not induce vomiting unless explicitly directed by a medical professional or veterinarian

Contact Vet Immediately

• If your pet exhibits persistent drooling, mouth pain, vomiting or difficulty breathing after ingestion
• If a large quantity of the plant was consumed by any companion animal or livestock
• If symptoms persist longer than 2 hours after initial exposure

Prevention

• Keep the plant out of reach of children, companion animals and livestock to avoid accidental ingestion
• Do not use any part of this plant as feed for horses, livestock or small pets
• Label the plant clearly if kept in household or garden settings to avoid accidental consumption

Treatment & Prognosis

• Supportive care including fluid therapy and pain management may be administered if oxalate irritation is confirmed
• Symptomatic treatment for gastrointestinal upset (antiemetics, gut protectants) as directed by a veterinarian
• No specific antidote exists for oxalate exposure, care is focused on managing clinical signs

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Professional Toxicology

Scientific NameJusticia brandegeeana Wassh. & L.B.Sm.

AliasesShrimp plant、False hop、Zimmerhopfen (German)、Plante aux crevettes (French)、Beloperone guttata Wassh. & L.B.Sm.、Beloperone guttata Brandegee

Toxicity Grade

HumansLow

CatsLow

DogsLow

HorsesLow

Target Organs

Oral mucous membranes, gastrointestinal tract (suspected)

Mechanism of Action

• Suspected mechanism is irritation of mucous membranes from calcium oxalate crystals, if present in plant tissue

Other Species Risk (CliniTox)

Information from CliniTox veterinary text.

Livestock (cattle, sheep, goats): No documented poisoning cases, but the plant is not approved for use as feed

Small mammals (rabbits, guinea pigs, hamsters): Suspected mild oxalate irritation if ingested, avoid feeding any part of the plant to small pets

Birds: No toxicity data available, prevent access to the plant to avoid potential adverse effects

Confusion Risk

The following plants look similar and may be confused:

Zebra plant Aphelandra squarrosa

Both belong to the Acanthaceae family and have similar ovate leaf morphology; the zebra plant is distinguished by prominent white striped foliage, while Mexican shrimp plant has distinctive curved, shrimp-shaped reddish bracts

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Related Toxic Plants

Caricature plant

Graptophyllum pictum

Moderate toxicity, contains irritant alkaloids that can cause gastrointestinal distress

Zebra plant

Aphelandra squarrosa

Low toxicity, can cause mild oral irritation and vomiting if ingested by pets

Polka dot plant

Hypoestes phyllostachya

Low toxicity, may cause mild gastrointestinal upset if consumed in large quantities

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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.

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