Lady of the night Toxic?

Updated 2026-03-06| 2 min read| 4,757 found this helpful
Brunfelsia uniflora (Pohl) D.Don
1

All plant parts are toxic, with berries being the most poisonous component

2

Symptoms onset 15-18 hours after ingestion, seizures can last over 48 hours and are often hard to treat

3

The toxic alkaloid alters serotonin levels, so prompt medical/veterinary care is critical after ingestion

FAQ

Is Lady of the night toxic to Humans?

Limited human toxicity data available, expected symptoms include salivation, oronasal irritation, vomiting, bloody diarrhea, anxiety, tremors, ataxia and seizures (High)

Is Lady of the night toxic to Cats?

No specific cat poisoning data recorded, expected to develop similar gastrointestinal and neurological symptoms as dogs if ingested (High)

Is Lady of the night toxic to Dogs?

Delayed onset 15-18 hours post-ingestion: salivation, oronasal irritation, vomiting, bloody diarrhea, anxiety, depression, ataxia, muscle tremor, hyperthermia, prolonged central seizures, nystagmus, opisthotonus; documented poisoning cases exist in dogs (High)

Is Lady of the night toxic to Horses?

No specific horse poisoning data recorded, expected to exhibit gastrointestinal distress and neurological symptoms including tremors and seizures if ingested (High)

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Toxicity Details

Humans
High

Limited human toxicity data available, expected symptoms include salivation, oronasal irritation, vomiting, bloody diarrhea, anxiety, tremors, ataxia and seizures

Cats
High

No specific cat poisoning data recorded, expected to develop similar gastrointestinal and neurological symptoms as dogs if ingested

Dogs
High

Delayed onset 15-18 hours post-ingestion: salivation, oronasal irritation, vomiting, bloody diarrhea, anxiety, depression, ataxia, muscle tremor, hyperthermia, prolonged central seizures, nystagmus, opisthotonus; documented poisoning cases exist in dogs

Horses
High

No specific horse poisoning data recorded, expected to exhibit gastrointestinal distress and neurological symptoms including tremors and seizures if ingested

Toxicity Snapshot

Toxic PartsWhole plant, especially berries
Exposure RoutePrimary exposure via ingestion; direct contact may cause mild oronasal irritation
Toxic CompoundsPyrrol-3-Carboxamid (pyrrol alkaloid)

First Aid & Prevention

First 30 Minutes

  • • Remove all remaining plant material from the mouth of the exposed person/animal
  • • Do not induce vomiting unless explicitly instructed by a medical/veterinary professional
  • • Collect a sample of the ingested plant for formal identification to guide treatment
  • • Rinse the mouth with clean water to remove residual plant matter if the exposed subject is conscious

Contact Vet Immediately

  • • Any confirmed or suspected ingestion of any part of this plant, especially berries
  • • Appearance of any abnormal symptoms including salivation, vomiting, uncoordinated movement or tremors after exposure
  • • Occurrence of seizures, bloody diarrhea or altered consciousness after potential plant exposure

Prevention

  • • Keep this plant out of reach of children, pets and livestock, especially the fallen berries
  • • Label the plant clearly to avoid accidental ingestion or confusion with visually similar non-toxic plants
  • • Remove dropped berries immediately as they are highly toxic and attractive to children and pets

Treatment & Prognosis

  • • Perform decontamination (emesis, activated charcoal administration) as soon as possible if clinically appropriate
  • • Provide supportive care including intravenous Ringer-Lactat solution to maintain hydration and electrolyte balance
  • • Control seizures with anticonvulsants such as diazepam and phenobarbital
  • • Administer antibiotics such as amoxicillin if secondary infection is suspected
  • • Monitor the exposed subject for at least 72 hours due to risk of prolonged seizures
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Professional Toxicology

Scientific NameBrunfelsia uniflora (Pohl) D.Don
AliasesManaca、Paraguay jasmine、Brunfelsia hopeana、Brunfelsia mutabilis、Franciscea hopeana、Franciscea mutabilis、Franciscea uniflora、Manac-Brunfelsie (German)、Franciscéa (French)、Mercure végétal (French)、Hier-Aujourd'hui-Demain (French)
Toxicity Grade
HumansHigh
CatsHigh
DogsHigh
HorsesHigh
Target Organs
Central nervous systemGastrointestinal tract
Mechanism of Action

• The pyrrol alkaloid Pyrrol-3-Carboxamid alters serotonin homeostasis in the body, leading to neurological and systemic toxic effects

Other Species Risk (CliniTox)

Information from CliniTox veterinary text.

Dog: Documented poisoning cases exist, with severe difficult-to-treat seizures that can last over 48 hours; potentially fatal without timely veterinary intervention
Cat: No confirmed poisoning cases reported, but expected to have similar high toxicity risk as dogs, requiring immediate care if ingestion occurs
Horse: No confirmed poisoning cases reported, but ingestion is expected to cause serious neurological and gastrointestinal distress requiring emergency care
Confusion Risk

The following plants look similar and may be confused:

Other Brunfelsia species Brunfelsia spp.
All Brunfelsia species have very similar morphological characteristics and equal toxicity profiles, making differentiation difficult for non-botanists
Busy Lizzie Impatiens walleriana
Visually similar to Brunfelsia uniflora; often assumed to be completely non-toxic, though it is mildly toxic, increasing risk of misidentification and accidental ingestion
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Data Sources

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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